15 years ago when Pops was a puppy, dogs ate from bowls. Full stop! There were no fancy puzzles or dog enrichment games. Fast forward a decade and a half and there are literally oodles to choose from!
In this blog, I share different ways to feed your dog and talk about some of the health benefits creative feeding can have on your pup.
Bust that Boredom!
Imagine being fed the same food from the same bowl every day? I personally can’t think of anything more boring, can you?
Dogs are like us humans, they thrive on routine, but also enjoy variety. [It is the spice of life after all]. Like us, they like to feel they are working for a reward.
Being handed everything on a plate [or in a dog bowl!] sounds all very lovely, but can become rather mundane and tedious over time.
Changing the way you feed your dog can have so many health benefits. Feeding them in alternative ways using dog enrichment games has been proven to lower stress levels and add mental stimulation to your dog’s daily existence.
Think outside the bowl with dog enrichment games
When we think about how animals hunt for their food in the wild, they scavenge and display predatory behaviours. Therefore, introducing dog enrichment games into your dog’s daily activities can mimic this natural scavenging instinct.
Let’s face it, you’re going to feed your dog anyway, so why not make it stimulating and fun for them?
My two dogs Poppy and Gertie rarely eat from a dog bowl. Over the years I have discovered a range of enrichment feeders that not only make mealtimes and treat times more fulfilling but slow them down when they’re eating!
Dog enrichment games slow down speedy eaters
Dog enrichment games are a great way to encourage your dog to actually taste their food! I mean, how many times do you watch your dog devour their food in a matter of seconds and wonder if it has even touched the sides?
Enrichment games are also great for dogs who need crate rest or are unable to partake in their daily exercise for whatever reason.
Just 20 minutes of sniffing or licking can be as mentally stimulating and calming as a dog walk, so it really does help to ease their boredom if they are confined or needing to rest.
I remember when Pops injured her cruciate a few years ago, she drove me crazy! She’s not one to ‘put her feet up’ and is always on the go. Enrichment games were our saviour!
How to make mealtimes more fun for your dog
Lickimats – Loads of Lickable Fun!
I will talk about Lickimats first as they are so versatile, I love them.
My girls have their tea from a Lickimat every day, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it takes them at least 15 minutes to finish their food.
Simply smear the food over the mat and they will spend ages licking between the squares to get every last morsel.
Lickimats are available in a variety of designs. I’ve tried a few, but I like the Lickimat Slomo best as it’s rigid and has a choice of surfaces.
Favourite Toppings: Wet food (my two have Different Dog), natural yogurt, liver paste, scrambled egg
Available from: Harley Bears Coco Bites – £7.50
Buy Here: Lickimat Slomo
Kong Toys
These are great if I’m going out and want to keep the girls occupied when I leave the house to prevent a chorus of barking!
You stuff the middle of the Kong with a filling of your choice and it keeps them busy for ages.
Top Tip! If you want to make the Kong last even longer, pop it in the freezer for a few hours before you serve it.
Favourite Fillings: Natural Yogurt, liver paste, peanut butter for dogs
Available from: BigPaws.co in a range of sizes from £6
Buy Here: Kong Toy for Dogs
Every day I’m Snuffling! – The Snuffle Mat
When it comes to feeding kibble or dry food, Snuffle Mats are just brilliant.
Simply scatter the dry food or treats in between the fleecy ribbons and it will provide hours of amusement for your pup.
Plus the snuffling action helps to calm your dog and relieve stress and anxiety, so they have lots of health benefits too.
Available from: Jo’s Dog Boutique from £17
Buy Here: Snuffle Mat for Cats and Dogs
Challenger Puzzle Cubes – Mental Stimulation at its best!
My two love their Challenger cubes and I love watching them chase their cubes around the floor!
The cube consists of 6 sides of fleecy pockets in which to hide kibble or treats.
It provides great mental and physical stimulation and they are fully washable, so if they get a bit mucky you can just pop them in the wash!
Available from: Ruffle Snuffle from £13.99
Buy Here: Challenger Cube for Dogs
Scatter Feeding
Sometimes it’s nice to ring the changes, so how about a spot of alfresco dining?
My two love this for a change and it’s super simple!
Simply scatter your dog’s kibble into the grass – the longer the grass the better! [That’s not an excuse not to mow the lawn Mr T!]
It’ll keep them entertained for ages and it’s a great activity for hot days in the shade.
Treat Dispensers
I’ll be honest these last two dog enrichment games take a bit of training to get the hang of for some dogs. [Yes, Gertie I’m talking about you!]
My clever Pops absolutely loves them though and spends ages rolling the treat dispenser around the floor making sure she has every last bit of kibble!
Simply fill the dispenser with kibble and watch your dog have fun!
As with many of these feeding gadgets, they are designed for treats, but I use them with their normal dog food most of the time.
Available from: Collar Club from £10
Buy Here: Dog Treat Dispensers
Turnaround Strategy Game – For the Intelligent Dog
It takes a clever pooch to work this one out, but it’s such amazing fun! And great to watch!
Designed for intelligent and inquisitive dogs it provides hours of entrainment.
The Turnaround Game comes with three rotating beakers that can be filled with kibble or treats. When rotated, the food falls to the ground enabling your dog to gobble it up.
The three beakers rotate independently from each other and can be turned using either your dog’s paws or snout!
For an added challenge the beakers come with different-sized holes in the lids so you can make it even more tricky for the quick-thinking pup!
It is such fun and just brilliant for mental stimulation and coordination.
Available from: Pointy Faces £18.99
Buy Here: Turnaround Strategy Game for Dogs
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our favourite dog enrichment games. If you have a favourite enrichment game, please let us know in the comments.
Woofs and Wags
Kate, Pops and Gerts
xox
Some really great ideas to keep boredom at bay!
We love snuffle mats ( well we would wouldn’t we!) and lick mats are a big hit with Dolly! She likes cream cheese on hers. 🙂
Thank you for including our Challenger Cubes – we have two designs available in 5 sizes to suit dogs of all breeds. So glad to see the gorgeous Pops and Gertie enjoying them x