Why Do Dogs Bury Bones?

Have you ever noticed your dog obsessively digging a hole in the ground, only to bury one of his favorite toys and then cover it up? There is an explanation for this seemingly baffling behavior of your canine friend.

  1. Instinct

    • Burying bones and other objects is a practice that is just a natural instinct for your dog. It is a survival technique that dogs have used for millions of years, before they were household pets.

    Hunting

    • In the days when dogs roamed the wild in packs, they hunted for their daily meals. Often times, the animal that they killed would be more than enough for one meal for the pack. Not wanting to waste this food, they would bury it and dig it up for a later meal.

    No Waste

    • Many times, weeks would pass without an opportunity to hunt. After a kill was eaten, the dogs would always save the bones from the animals. They would gather them and then bury them near their lair. If a time came when they were without food, they could always chew on the bones and extract the nutrient-rich marrow.

    Old Habits

    • The burying instinct, called hoarding, never completely left dogs once they were domesticated. This is why, even if your dog is getting regular meals, he still feels compelled to bury treats for later. It is just a natural instinct.

    A Fun Game

    • Burying bones and other toys can be a fun activity that can keep dogs busy for hours. Encourage this behavior by providing the dog with an area of loose dirt or sand that he can dig in. Give him different toys and bones that can be buried easily and dug up later.