Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why do dogs bury bones? The answer is quite interesting

Mary Johnson
By

You’ve probably seen it on television numerous times. Once the family pup receives a bone, he immediately races out into the backyard and begins to dig. If you have dogs, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the same phenomenon in real life. Whether you have a big dog or a tiny pooch, you may notice freshly dug holes in the backyard or suspicious lumps under your blanket. If there’s one common behavioral thread linking all dog breeds, it’s the tendency to bury snacks, stolen trophies, and sometimes favorite stuffed animals. But why do dogs bury things? Let’s find out. 

A Golden Retriever digging a hole in a yard.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Decoding dog behavior

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered, “Why do dogs bury bones?” As it turns out, this behavior dates back to the days of early canines. While many dogs come from loving homes and never have to forage for their next meal, your pup’s ancestors weren’t as fortunate. If a dog could find anything of value, such as a meal or a bone, they would dig a hole and bury it to keep their food safe from other dogs. 

Recommended Videos

Fulfilling an ancestral drive

Because food was scarce for your dogs’ ancestors, they couldn’t afford to allow fresh meat to rot in the sun once their bellies were full. Burying their kills in the dirt preserved meat while protecting it from scavengers and sunlight, allowing the dog to return to their treasure trove when they grew hungry again. The deeper the hole, the cooler the earth inside it, so more intelligent dogs may instinctively dig deeper into the soil to bury their resources. Just because you feed your poodle on a strict daily schedule doesn’t mean he can shake the instinct to protect his precious treats. While hunting breeds tend to exhibit this behavior more often than sporting or toy breeds, even a Chihuahua may bury his favorite tasty snack to protect it from harm. Some breeds have stronger prey drives than others, proof that inherited traits can sometimes win out over training. In this case, having regular meals and plenty of treats isn’t enough to circumvent your dog’s ancestral desire to bury his treasure.   

A brown brindle-coated dog with his head buried in a large hole.
CLShebley/Adobe Stock

Dogs don’t bury just food

If you’ve ever unearthed your dog’s favorite squeaky toy from between the sofa cushions, you know hoarding and burying aren’t limited to food. Any item your dog considers valuable, whether it’s an old toy or one of your shoes, is a prime target for burial. Not all dogs bury their toys, but it’s linked to the same ancestral need to save their special items in a secure location. 

How to keep dogs from burying things

While they aren’t 100% guaranteed to work every time, there are ways you can cut down on the mounds in your yard. Today’s dogs live in an age of excess, and sometimes having too many toys to choose from can bring to life the cliché “too much of a good thing.” If your pooch has dozens of toys littering your home, he’s much more likely to bury the surplus in the backyard. Try limiting him to a few favorite toys at a time. When he tires of playing with his current selection, you can swap them out for other toys. Not only can limiting his access to toys help minimize the urge to bury his collection, but also even old toys become new again when your dog hasn’t played with them for a while.  Similarly, give your dog a chew toy before he’s eaten. If his stomach is already full when he receives a treat, he’ll be more inclined to save his snack for a rainy day. 

A brown and white Alaskan Malamute digging in a yard.
Ludmila Smite/Adobe Stock

Is burying harmful behavior?

The tendency to bury favorite toys and snacks is deeply ingrained in many dogs. It’s usually harmless, but problems can arise. While the famous image of a dog burying his bone is rooted in our minds, you actually shouldn’t give dogs bones at all. Bones can splinter, cutting your dog’s mouth. In some cases, bone shards may pierce his intestines. Stick with safer toys like dog biscuits and chews instead. His paws may become sore if your dog is prone to digging obsessively. Dogs may dig until they damage their paws and nail beds, creating a breeding ground for infection. You’ll also want to make sure the soil in your backyard is safe for your pooch, as exposure to certain chemicals can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. If your dog exhibits compulsive behaviors, it may be time for an intervention. To keep your pooch safe, give him vet-approved treats, monitor his behavior, and don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional if you’re not sure what to do. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Why do cats have tails? Science explains
Whether fluffy or thin, cats' tails serve these essential purposes
A white cat's tail hangs from the wooden bookshelf

If you've ever wondered, "Why do cats have tails?" you're certainly not alone. Tails are odd appendages for humans to comprehend, but they serve more than one purpose besides simply being cute to look at. Different breeds of cats have different kinds of tails, too, but they all help in the very same ways.
And what about cats that don't have tails? Many felines are born with genetic variants that give them a short or "bobbed" tail, but this hardly affects them at all. The same can be said for cats that lose their tails later in life; it may be an adjustment period, but a tail is not essential to a happy, healthy life.
Here's what else you'll want to know about why cats have tails!

Tails help cats balance when moving and jumping
One of the primary functions of feline tails is to help them balance when climbing and jumping like cats do. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why cats always land on their feet. As they leap or walk on something narrow, they position their tails strategically, like a counterweight.

Read more
These are the 8 most loyal large dog breeds that make loving companions
Big breeds that will never leave your side
Akita with brown fur standing outside

There are so many reasons why dogs are known for being man’s best friend. Our pups love us unconditionally -- even when we aren't being our best selves. No matter what's going on, your four-legged friend will be happy to see you. Bad day at the office? Does your boss think your work performance is lackluster? Your dog respectfully disagrees. They’ll wag their tail when they see you walk through the door and shower you with kisses. They’re loyal and loving until the end.
One of the best things about dogs is that they're just as diverse as people are. Small, large, energetic, lazy... there's a dog for anyone out there. Some people fall head over heels for larger dogs, like Labrador retrievers, because they make for great swimming, hiking, and running partners. Large breeds are also often great snuggle buddies — even if they feel like a ton of bricks in our laps and take up the entire bed. What’s more, some of the most loyal dog breeds are large ones.
If you're leaning toward adding a big dog to your home, consider these eight breeds when searching for a true-blue forever friend.

What are the most loyal large dog breeds?
Dogs tend to be loyal by nature. Some pets take it up a notch, though, including these large dog breeds:

Read more
Do puppies sleep a lot? These are the perfectly normal sleeping habits of a healthy pup
Puppies sleep a lot, but here's when it's normal and when to be concerned
Puppy sleeping on lap of human with mustard yellow sweater

Generally, puppies require abundant sleep — some will snooze up to 20 hours per day. Every pup is different, though and as they get older, the number of sleep hours decreases. By about 16 weeks of age, most dog breeds will be able to sleep through the night.

Sleep is an essential element of human and canine development. As anyone who has had a new puppy can tell you, it can be tough at first to get them into a good sleeping routine. Still, you'll want to make sure you and your new dog are rested and fit for all that life has to offer you. Here is everything you need to know about when your new puppy should be sleeping through the night and the answer to the question, "Do puppies sleep a lot?"

Read more