You could serve your dog a five-star meal, and yet somehow, he’ll still end up nose-deep in the trash can. For many pet parents, this behavior is all too familiar—and more than a little frustrating. We often attribute this to instincts: their primal drive to scavenge, survive, and sniff anything remotely edible. Yet, if your dog still raids the trash like a little bandit after a meal, it feels personal.
Even more baffling is that dogs emerge from the trash looking proud like they did something amazing. But let’s be honest, dogs digging through trash will drive any dog owner crazy. Cleaning up the mess is a nightmare, and you can never know what he gets into.
So, if you have come home to find trash slung all over the floor, you are not alone. Many dog owners face this common issue. Today, we will try to understand all the reasons dogs dig through trash, and how you can prevent it.
Five Reasons Dogs Dig Through the Trash
We have to understand that dogs are scavengers by nature. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if you find your pet sneaking a sniff or a lick of your trash. After all, dogs were domesticated from wolves thousands of years ago, and back then, they weren’t exactly dining on a balanced diet. Instead, dogs in the early days were forced to scavenge for garbage scraps around local villages. Stray dogs do this all the time. For domestic dogs, instincts still play a role in why they dig through trash.
The problem with this common canine behavior is that your dog can find potentially harmful to their health, for example, spoiled meat. To get a better understanding, let’s go through some of the main reasons dogs dig through trash.
1. Hunger
Sometimes, we rush through the door in a hurry and forget to feed our pets or do not feed them enough. A hungry pet will try to find something to satisfy its needs. Dogs have big appetites and the smell coming from the trash is enticing enough to lure them.
2. Boredom
Often, dogs go into the trash out of sheer boredom. Our pets need mental stimulation and physical activity throughout the day to keep their mind and body occupied. Dogs that do not get enough stimulation will resort to unwanted behaviors, for example, digging through trash.
3. Looking for Attention
Dogs thrive on attention. They are pets and part of the family. Some dogs try to get their owners’ attention in any way possible. Mischief always gets your attention, and dogs pick up on that quickly. They might dig through the trash to get a reaction, despite being a negative attention.
4. Curiosity
Dogs are curious creatures and they enjoy exploring the world using their noses and mouths. The trash is like a hidden treasure chest for them, with all sorts of things to sniff and taste. The lure sometimes can be too much to handle for a curious pet and they go seeking enrichment. Because dogs do not have hands to explore, they use their snout or mouth to check if there is something yummy in the trash or something to play with.
5. Anxiety
Anxiety is another reason why dogs resort to unwanted behaviors, manifesting in different ways including sleeping, aggressive behavior, or destructive behavior. Dogs suffering from anxiety may only get in the trash when you are not home.
Understanding Dogs’ History and Instincts
We mentioned that domesticated dogs have a long history in the wild thanks to their predecessors, wolves. In the wild, wolves can go several days without food. They are not always successful in hunting, so they have to resort to the garbage. For some dogs nowadays, the trash represents stinky, ripe, and aromatic food.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Digging in the Trash
1. Keep Them Well-Fed
Often, dogs are lured into the trash due to food smells. Yet, as long as your pet is fed, they will be less likely to go through the garbage. Provide them with a balanced diet and follow a regular feeding schedule. Canines can go without food for between eight and ten hours. Feed them between these times and make sure to stick to the same routine. This way, dogs naturally get hungry before their mealtime.
2. Make Sure They’re Entertained While Away
Boredom and anxiety can send your dog into destructive behavior, so give them something to entertain themselves while you are away. If you do not want trash spread all over the house, give your pup some puzzle toys or interactive toys that keep them occupied. Once you come back home, find ways to burn their excess energy.
3. Use Child-Safe Locks for the Trash
As a last resort, you can deter your dog from accessing the garbage can by attaching a child safety lock on each side of the bin. Even if they tip the trash can over, the lid will not come off. The problem with this method is that it doesn’t solve the behavior, just prevents the symptoms.
4. Get a Trash Can Your Pup Cannot Get Into
Another physical way to prevent your dog from getting into the garbage is to get a bin they cannot open. Or, place the trash can where they do not have access. For example, you can move it under the kitchen sink or store it in a pull-out cabinet.
If you cannot train your dog to stop checking into the trash can, restricting access can be a momentary solution. In the meantime, work on establishing a feeding routine and finding ways to burn their energy.
When to Consult a Veterinarian
In some cases, dogs digging through trash might indicate a serious problem. Is this a one-time thing? Or does your dog continuously try to eat from the trash? In the latter case, it might be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the metabolism operates too fast, causing your dog to always be hungry. Yes, we often joke that dogs are always hungry and ready to eat. But if you are concerned about your dog’s behavior, it is always a good idea to consult a veterinarian.
Final Words
Pet owners are often puzzled by this behavior. If your dog is well-fed and gets treats, surely there should be no reason to be sniffing around the garbage can, right? Well, sometimes even the most pampered pooch can be a bit too curious.
Sometimes, dogs cannot resist the alluring smell. It might not smell good to humans, but garbage holds a lot of appeal to dogs. For them, different smells provide mental stimulation and enrichment.
Because dogs might find something dangerous in the trash can, as a dog owner, your job is to understand the behavior, and find a way to prevent it. The easiest way to do that is to provide plenty of mental stimulation and stick to a regular feeding routine.