PET ARTICLES BLOG

Burying bones, like barking and chewing is a common behavior of dogs. Dogs burying bones are often seen in children's books, in the movies and in animated cartoons. Dog owners are also exposed to the inclination of the pets to bury bones.

A dog carrying a bone on its mouth would furtively look around and try to look for the best hiding spot. Once found, the dog would frantically dig - carefully lay the bone on the hole and then cover it with dirt and soil. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years but are dog owners aware of the reasons why the pets bury bones Does your pet know why it is hiding the bones? The pet may not be aware why it is burying bones as scientists believe that this is an instinctive habit to survive.

Dog scientists have this theory that the inclination to bury bones is an ingrained habit of canines. From the time dogs have existed, they have been burying bones. Although dogs became man's best friend only for thousands of years; these animals have existed for over a million years. Burying bones have been a very useful habit for primitive dogs that need to survive the harsh life in the wild. Dogs' existence in the wild is no picnic. The ancestors of modern day dogs not only have to avoid predators but also other animals that would want to have a shot at the dog's hunted prey.

Humans hoard food. Squirrels make sure that the tree hollows are filled to the hilt with nuts and acorns. In preparation for the rainy days, ants would fill their anthills with food. Dogs too hoard and this is done by burying bones and other foods. Food in the wild is scarce. A dog that has hunted a prey would need to secure the "bounty" not only from other animal but also from members of the pack. What was hidden will be uncovered when hunting is nil. The dog will unerringly find the buried prey although it is possible that what will remain are the marrow-rich bones.

Dogs nowadays don't go hungry. Pampered pets don't have to bury bones to survive but they do because it is an instinctive behavior. The ingrained habit makes dogs dig holes to hide their bounty. Dog owners would just be surprised to find treats and bits of food hidden on the dog's bed. Because digging and burying bones and other food is instinctive in dogs, pet owners just have to take in stride the inclination of the pet to rearrange the garden to bury its "treasures".