Ever caught your dog hiding treats instead of eating them? You hand over a biscuit, and instead of crunching it down, they trot off and stuff it under a cushion or dig a quick hole in the garden. At first, it’s hilarious. Then you start wondering—what’s going on here? Let’s talk about why dogs do this and when you should care.
Instincts Never Really Left
Dogs might spend their lives on sofas and rugs now, but the wild dog inside hasn’t gone anywhere. Wolves and street dogs used to hide extra food to come back to it later. Survival trick, plain and simple. Your dog doesn’t actually need to do it—they’ve got dinner waiting in the bowl every night—but instincts don’t switch off. So when your dog is hiding treats, it’s just their DNA reminding them, “Better save this for later.”
Maybe They’re Just Full
Another simple reason: they’re not hungry right then. Maybe they just ate. Maybe you’ve been too generous with snacks. Instead of turning it down, they stash it. We stick leftovers in the fridge; they shove them in the corner of the sofa. It’s the same idea, just messier.
Food Security Issues
Some dogs worry about losing out. If there are other pets in the house, or if they’ve had tough experiences in the past, they might hide food because they don’t feel safe eating it in the open. It’s like them saying, “Mine. Don’t touch.” If you spot your dog hiding treats and they look nervous while doing it, insecurity could be the driver. In cases like that, a quick chat with the best vet in Abu Dhabi might help you figure out if it’s stress or something else.
Boredom = Strange Hobbies
A dog with too much time on their paws will find ways to stay busy. Some shred shoes. Others dig at the carpet. And some turn hiding treats into their favourite pastime. They carry the biscuit around, test out different spots, finally settle on one, then later come back to check if it’s still there. It’s basically DIY entertainment.
Natural Hoarders
Certain dogs just love collecting. Doesn’t matter if it’s treats, toys, or even socks—they want a stash. They may never even touch it again. It’s not always about eating later. It’s about having a pile of “stuff.” Terriers, for example, are famous for this kind of behaviour.
When You Should Pay Attention
Most of the time, it’s nothing serious. But if the behaviour suddenly ramps up, or you see other changes—like your dog skipping meals, dropping weight, or acting uncomfortable—don’t brush it off. Sometimes dogs hide food because chewing hurts or their stomach feels off. That’s when you should look up the vet in Abu Dhabi and get things checked out.
What You Can Do
If it’s not causing problems, you don’t really have to do anything. But if it’s getting annoying—stale biscuits in weird places, ants showing up, or fights with other pets—then a few changes can help:
- Cut back on how many treats you give.
- Hand them out after exercise so your dog is more likely to eat right away.
- Keep them busy with puzzle toys or short training sessions.
- Feed pets separately if competition is making your dog hide food.
Where Dogs Hide Stuff
Outdoors, it’s usually dirt and holes. Indoors, anything goes. Cushions, piles of clothes, the back of the couch, under the bed—you name it. Some owners discover week-old chews in places they’d never think to look. If that’s happening too often, redirecting them with a toy box or food puzzle can keep things tidier.
Puppies vs Adults
Puppies do it because they’re testing instincts. They’ll grow out of it—or at least do it less—once they realise food is always available. Adult dogs, though, might start up again if something in their life changes. New home, new pet, less routine—those things can all trigger it. The main thing: don’t punish them. It won’t stop the behaviour; it just makes them sneakier about it.
When to Just Let Them Be
At the end of the day, hiding treats is usually harmless. If they bury one bone in the garden or sneak a biscuit under the couch, who cares? It’s only a problem if spoiled food causes health issues, they get aggressive guarding their stash, or you start finding pests around the house. Otherwise, it’s just your dog being a dog.
Final Word
So, when your dog is hiding treats, don’t overthink it. It could be instinct, boredom, insecurity, or just plain habit. Most of the time, it’s nothing to stress over. If you ever spot sudden changes or signs of pain, that’s when the best vet in Abu Dhabi comes into the picture. But for the most part, it’s just another one of those quirks that makes dogs endlessly entertaining to live with.