Why do dogs hide their treats?

Why do dogs hide their treats? And why do dogs bury their treats? There are actually several reasons why your pup might do these things! In most cases, playfully hiding treats is a normal canine quirk that owners find adorable. However, for some dogs, hiding food could indicate a problem.
 
We're going to explore this topic, covering what drives dogs to hide their treats and what to do if it’s causing you concern.

Reasons why dogs hide treats

There are several reasons why dogs might hide food and treats. Each dog is different, so their individual motives will vary, too. We're going to explore some of the most common ones, as well as a few things you should look out for. Remember, if you are ever concerned about your pet's health or behaviour, then we always recommend speaking to a vet for advice.

Basic survival instinct

While our domestic dogs may be a long way removed from their ancient ancestors, they still hold some of those same basic survival instincts. In the wild, dogs will typically eat what they can and then store any excess for later. Hiding food prevents other scavenging animals from finding it, as well as protecting it from sunlight, which keeps meat fresher for longer.

Saving it for later

If your dog was not hungry when the snack was given, they save it for later by hiding it. It’s important to check that you aren't accidentally overfeeding your pet, as this is a big reason why they may not want to eat a snack straight away. Always follow the manufacturer's feeding guidelines on your pet food and ensure that treats or extras make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily diet.

Anxiety

For some dogs, hiding snacks can be a sign of an underlying anxiety issue. Previous trauma, such as food deprivation, can lead some rescue dogs to develop a habit of hiding treats in places that others won't find. Competition over food can also cause some dogs to bury their treats. Resource guarding can cause affected dogs to become very protective of possessions, including treats.

Anxiety triggers like a recent house move, a new family member, thunderstorms, or fireworks could cause treat-hiding. As well as this, your dog may show other negative behavioural changes like excessive barking, panting, chewing, or scratching. So, if hiding treats is a new habit for your pet or is accompanied by any of these other behavioural issues, it is worth addressing the trigger or seeking some professional help.

Just because

Your dog may take comfort from hiding their treats, especially if it's something they have always done. Others seem to enjoy hiding them for fun, treating it as a bit of a game! You may have even reinforced this behaviour by giving your pet attention each time they hide their treat. This encourages your dog to repeat the behaviours so that they keep getting a reaction out of you.

Some dogs don't care whether this attention is positive or negative, especially if your dog is bored or attention-seeking. If treat hiding is a habit you want to break, then it's important not to give your dog any sort of exciting reaction - more on this later!

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Why do dogs bury their treats & food?

Why do dogs bury food? Dogs bury their treats and food for many of the same reasons that they hide their treats, including -

• It's in their nature - survival instincts can cause some dogs to bury food, with both digging and food hiding being part of their wild ancestry.
  
• They are guarding resources - burying food can be your dog's way of guarding their snacks, stopping other family pets from getting to them.
  
• It's calming - some dogs just enjoy having a dig! The mechanical action of digging can be very comforting.
  
• Boredom - an under-stimulated dog may look for activities to keep them busy, including digging. This behaviour may also get a response out of you, which can drive them to repeat it again in the future.

Why do dogs instantly run away with treats?

Has your pup ever grabbed a treat and run? If so, you're not alone! Reasons for this can include -

• Worry that someone might take it from them – if this has happened to them in the past, they may fret about it happening again.
• Instinctual hiding – Survival instincts may drive dogs to run off and eat their food at a distance from others
• Safety – Some dogs just feel safer consuming their treat in peace 
  

Breeds

Some dogs' hunting instincts, coupled with their need for stimulation, can lead to treat hiding. This includes very active, working breeds that have retained a strong prey drive, such as –

• Terriers
• Hounds, including Beagles and Bassett Hounds
• Dachshunds
• Huskies
• Retrievers

How to stop dogs from hiding their treats

Although hiding treats is something that comes naturally to our dogs, it can be an issue for some pet owners. We understand that having treats hidden around the garden and house can get a bit annoying, especially if your dog is digging holes in the garden or damaging soft furnishings!

Here are a few suggestions –
 
Check your feeding – If your pet is not eating their treat right away, then they may not be that hungry. Try cutting back on the treats for a while and check that they are getting the correct amount of food at mealtimes.
 
Create a calm feeding environment - When you give your pet a treat, make sure they have somewhere calm and quiet to eat it, without competition from others.
 
Keep your pet well stimulated – If your dog is bored or anxious, this can result in undesirable behaviours, including digging and treat hiding. Try giving your dog regular mental workouts with interactive toys and training exercises.
 
Exercise – Exercise will help stimulate your dog, but it also helps burn off energy too. Getting enough physical activity can increase your pup’s appetite, which can lead to them eating treats rather than hiding them. Learn about whether you can over-exercise your dog. 
 
Seek professional advice – If you’re concerned that your pets treat hiding is part of a wider problem, you may want to speak to your vet or a qualified pet behaviourist.

The Takeaway

Dogs hiding treats is part of normal canine behaviour, with different pups doing it for different reasons. Most of the time, it doesn’t cause issues, but hopefully our tips will help you to manage the situation if it is becoming excessive.  
 
If you’re concerned your pet is suffering from wider behavioural or anxiety issues, then discover YuMOVE's Dog Behaviour Guides & Advice or contact your vet for advice.