Digging for answers on dog’s toy-burying behavior

Dear Cathy: I am having a problem with my terrier, who has many toys but insists on burying both of his orange toys. When I dig them up in the yard, he seems sad and embarrassed. This has been going on for several years.

Is there any explanation for this? I have been asking around about this, but no one has been able to explain the behavior. — Ann Marie, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Dear Ann Marie: Dogs generally bury things they covet and want to save for later, such as food or a bone. He may have a special affinity for these toys and just not want anyone else to have access to them. Maybe they give off a strange scent he finds offensive, and so he buries them. It’s hard for us to know. It’s most likely a coincidence the toys are both orange, but you could buy a third orange toy to see what he would do.

The sad behavior he exhibits when you dig up his toys is more likely the realization that he will have to bury them again. Don’t dig up his toys for the next month and see what he does. If he leaves them in the ground, humor him and then leave them in the ground, too. He obviously finds some comfort in keeping them there.

Dear Cathy: I want to get a houseplant for my kitchen table that will not poison my cat. The vet gave me a list of plants that are not compatible with cats.

To approach this from the positive side, do you have a list of houseplants that are suitable around cats? — Douglas, via email

Dear Douglas: You can find a comprehensive list of plants that are toxic and nontoxic at the ASPCA’s website: aspca.org/pet-care/ animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants.

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