What benefits do you see in your dog when they’re asked to work for their food? How do you keep your dog from getting bored on the cheap? Remember that no toy is indestructible so always supervise your dog if you think there’s any way they could chew off a piece of any toy and swallow it.Ĭheck out more tips from Julia for more ways to keep your pup busy! Let your dog sniff out and find all the pieces. Another way to make use of your recycling!įor the laziest of us! Simply spread kibble out under a towel on the floor. Add difficulty by putting boxes inside boxes (like those nesting dolls), with kibble in between each layer. Simply put kibble in the box and close it. He never eats the pieces, so I let him have it and it seems to be a wonderful de-stress activity for him. Surf loves to shred cardboard boxes, especially the ones that cereal and snacks come in. Many dogs just like to crunch plastic bottles and milk jugs too. Simply cut a few holes in various places in the plastic and fill with kibble. This is great for dogs that don’t destroy and consume plastic. Water bottle, milk jug, or yogurt container Stuff some kibble inside and let them go for it! Just make sure the ball stays large enough that your dog can’t swallow it.įor the more rambunctious canines, cut the piping to about 12 inches, drill some random holes (large enough for your kibble), put end pieces on both ends, and you’re done! Your pup has to nose it around to get the kibble to fall out.Ĥ. Just cut an X into the ball or cut along the seam to make a flap. Those worn out old tennis balls can be turned into puzzles. Add difficulty by covering each section with a tennis ball or other toy. – Keep the tin upright and divide the kibble up between the cups. This is good for larger dogs, but for smaller pooches try a mini muffin tin. One thing I love about this is that the top of the tin is flat, so they can’t just flip it over. Your dog will have to nudge the food around from all different angles. – Turn a muffin tin upside down and spread kibble between the bumps. Here are some of my favorite home-made food puzzles: Plus, slowing down during mealtime is always a good thing. That’s especially important for me because my bored dogs are anxious dogs. If they wolf it down in 10 seconds, they spend the rest of the day trying to entertain themselves… But if they have to figure out how to get those pieces of kibble and treats, and they spend 10 minutes working on it, I have exhausted, happy dogs. Like most of you, I feed my dogs twice a day. Since I’m not currently in the business of selling pet products, I’m going to share some do-it-yourself secrets to make food puzzles at home – super cheap! However, I’ve been lucky enough to get these second-hand and at a discount. Most dog puzzle toys indicate which size dog they’re best for, and some even come in different sizes for all types of dogs, so double check before you buy.There are so many products out there to help you work your pup’s brain and help them eat more slowly – and I might have just about every variety for my two beasts. If a dog puzzle toy has tiny treat compartments, it may not be suitable for a large breed. Lastly, you have to make sure the toy is size-appropriate. If you can get involved, like having to refill the treats or place the plush squirrels back into the holes, it will help solidify the bond you have with your furry best friend. The more time your dog needs to spend interacting with the toy, the better. The best dog puzzle toys pique your dog’s interest and are difficult enough that they won’t solve the puzzle right away. It’s always best to supervise your dog’s playtime, but some toys let you-and your pup-be more interactive than others. For dogs that don’t chew as much or have smaller jaws that don’t crush things as easily, plastic toys should be durable enough. If you have a heavy chewer, you want something made of strong composite or ultra-strong rubber. This is subjective based on how much your dog likes to chew and how strong his jaw is, but you want to make sure you’re choosing toys that can hold up to your dog. What To Look For In a Dog Puzzle Toy Durabilityĭurability is vital for any dog toy. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out the Outward House Brick Puzzle Game. Our top puzzle toy pick is the Outward Hound Hide N Slide, with no removable parts to worry about.
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