Reasons For a Dog To Cover Their Food
Like humans, dogs’ eating habits vary. Some “chow down” their chow, while others might take a few pieces of kibble and run to another room to eat them. Canines have been known to hide food for later, begging the question, why do they do it?
Trying to Keep it Fresh
Canines will bury food in the ground so it will be fresh later. If the ground is cold, it does preserve the food. Even if the weather isn’t frigid, the food is protected from the heat of the sun.
Seeking Attention
If you’re very busy and forget to spend quality time with your fur baby, she’s going to find a way to let you know. Try to walk or play with her, so she doesn’t think up naughty ways of getting you to notice her. She may bury her food and treats, and some poochies will even hide human possessions to get attention.
Anxiety
If Fido is anxious about eating because he is starving on the streets or in a home with other doggos stealing his food, he may choose to cover his food to make sure no one takes it away. Once he realizes that getting food is no longer a challenge, he should stop covering or hiding his food.
Nausea
If Spot normally has a great appetite and doesn’t “play” with or hide his food, he may be feeling ill. Check if he will eat a treat. If not, he’s probably sick. Did he overeat? Can you hear his tummy making noises? Is he car sick, or did he just receive vaccinations? If he refuses to eat for more than a day, a trip to the vet is probably a good idea. We know our fur babies like to eat, so it’s alarming when they don’t want to.
Instinct
Wild dogs knew to save some food for later in case they couldn’t find prey to hunt and eat. Saving means hiding it from everyone else, a behaviour called caching.
Boredom
Similar to wanting attention, if Rover is suffering from boredom, he’s going to have to entertain himself and capture your attention by burying his things and maybe yours as well. Keep fun toys around to stimulate your pooch and play with him. Snuffle mats encourage foraging skills, and food puzzles keep your doggo’s brain challenged. You can play with a tug toy or pet him while you watch the telly. Multitasking to include him will make him feel attended to.
Wants Human Food, Not Drab Dog Food
She has a very valid point. Canines often get the same dull kibble for breakfast and dinner ad infinitum. To add insult to injury, because of her excellent sense of smell, she knows you’re having a variety of delicious food that smells much better than the slop on her plate. That has to hurt her feelings. Egg whites, some vegetables and certain fruits are healthy for your pup as a bonus snack.
Veggies That Are Healthy For Your Fur Baby
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Green Beans
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Parsley
- Peas
- Pineapple
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Raspberry
- Rutabaga
- Spinach
- Squashes
- Strawberries
- Sweet Potato
- Turnips
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
Fruits That Are Good For Your Pup
- Apricot
- Apples
- Blueberry
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberry
- Mango
- Orange
- Papaya
- Peach
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
You can also feed your dog human-grade dog food if you’re able to spend a little extra and feel overwhelmed by the guilt of dining on yummy human food while your pup is choking down dry kibble or canned wet food. Quality food made specifically for canines contains the vitamins and minerals that they require to be healthy. If you feed your pooch what you’re eating, the meal may not contain the exact nutrients she requires.
They Don’t Like Their Food Bowl
It seems that dogs always want to eat and aren’t particular about food bowls. However, if your dog seems to be having trouble with her ears dropping in her food or some other difficulty, you can find a bowl more tailored to her needs.
They Are a Picky Dog Breed
Some pups will hold out longer than others until they receive the food they feel they deserve.
Here’s a list of breeds that won’t eat what they are given if it offends them:
- Bichon Frise
- Boston Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Dachshund
- English Cocker Spaniel
- French Bulldog
- Greyhound
- Maltese
- Pekingese
- Poodle
- Pug
- West Highland White Terrier
There are plenty of dry and liquid food toppers that entice dogs to eat. Sprinkle or pour some on and mix it in. That should make Fifi eat. She deserves that extra flavour, and food is love.
Vision Issues
Observe your dog to determine if she’s having trouble seeing in general, and you suspect she can’t see her food. They rely on their nose, but if your doggo has eye problems, she may need eyedrops to prevent glaucoma, for example.
Their Mouth Hurts
Like humans, dogs sometimes have dental problems. If you can’t see anything wrong in her mouth, you should take her to the vet if she acts like eating is painful. If you’re able to, brushing your pooch’s teeth is a great idea.
Illness
You could try offering a special treat to see if she’ll eat that. You know doggies will eat anything, but sometimes their stomachs hurt from whatever they found and ate that they shouldn’t have. If her appetite doesn’t return in 24 to 48 hours, you should seek medical attention.
They’re Not Hungry
Did he eat a lot of snacks or steal the cat’s food? He might be playing with and covering his food because his belly is full.
Should You Stop Your Dog From Covering Her Food?
Dogs enjoy digging. They also like to bury bones and toys to play with or chew on later. A normal eating schedule and the realization that her humans will continue to feed her may stop the food covering. Unless your pup is rigorously burrowing in your sofa cushion or destroying something in your house, you could just let her follow her instincts. Otherwise, tell her no and take the food, treat, bone or toy out of the hiding spot.
Conclusion
Dogs cover their food for multiple reasons. Monitor your dog if they don’t feel well enough to eat. Stomach aches, nausea, vision and dental issues are the issues that may require medical attention. If your dog’s a picky eater or wants human food, you could try upgrading to tastier food or offer them toppers, veggies, fruits or eggs (for snacks).
