Burying bones or treats saves them to dig up for future snacking. It's like "saving for retirement.
To Save For Later
Dogs often bury items to hide their prized possessions from other pets in the home.
To Hide From Other Pets
Burying food lowers the chance of attracting insects or bacterial growth compared to leaving it out.
Deter Bugs/Bacteria
The caching tendency stems from wild dogs and wolves burying extra food to recover later.
Instinctual Behavior
Dogs don't fully understand kibble always comes from their bowl. Burying hedges future hunger.
For Future Survival
Dogs perceive burying as a way to claim ownership over items and prevent "theft."
To Possess and Protect
The habit provides mental stimulation and enrichment.
Mental Stimulation