Providing enrichment for your dog is not only crucial for their mental stimulation, but its fun for you too, and a fantastic way for you to bond with your dog!
Listed below is a list of my favourite enrichment toys that you can buy for your dog, varying from pricey to cheap and cheerful, and with pros and cons so you can see if it is right for you and your pup!
Dogs need a variety of activities in their life to keep them entertained and happy. There are a huge amount of benefits to introducing enrichment, including...
- reducing boredom,
- reducing anxiety,
- more bonding time with owners,
- weight loss,
- a reduction in the risk of behaviour problems,
- improving focus and concentration,
- encouraging calm behaviour
- and much more!
Kong - The Classic
A must have for all dog owners! This is a bouncy rubber toy which is hollow and can be stuffed with such a variety of food to keep your pup entertained! To get the food out, the toy can be bounced, licked, or chewed. The classic Kong comes with the original red colour or for dogs who lick to destroy, the black one is extra durable!
Pros:
- Long lasting, and can be frozen to last even longer!
- Plenty of recipe ideas all over Google (as its very popular!)
- Comes in lots of sizes
- Dishwasher friendly
Cons:
- Some dogs can chew through them. My dogs have had theirs 7 and 9 years and there are no teeth marks even, but I've known some dogs have destroyed them in days.
Lickimats, Lickiwobbles, and other Licki things!
I have both the Lickimat and a Lickiwobble for my dogs, and they absolutely love them! Licking is a great way to lower a dog's heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, naturally calming them down.
Pros:
- Calms dogs
- Can be frozen and are dishwasher friendly
- Dogs seem to LOVE them!
- Can be DIY'd cheaper by using silicone trivets, just to see if your dog likes them before paying for a real one.
Cons:
- Can be a pain to clean without a dishwasher. (Toothbrushes are the best way, I've found).
- Some dogs like to chew them after they've finished licking, so supervising is a must.
- For bigger (or greedy) dogs, they do not last very long
B&M Treat Snake
I love these so much I have one in every colour! They are a fantastic treat stuffer which I use regularly to feed both meal times and as a treat. I find that this is a very long lasting toy.
Pros:
- Only £3.99!
- Surprisingly durable
- Long lasting and can be frozen
Cons:
- Dishwasher friendly ONLY if you don't care about the squeaker
- Some younger dogs will find this one tough.
Snuffle Mats
A classic! These can be made yourself (plenty of YouTube videos showing how) or bought online or in pet stores. Your dog will enjoy sniffing out all those yummy treats, or even just kibble!
Pros:
- Sniffing is another great way of calming dogs.
- Will slow down feeding time
- Easy and most dogs will find this fun
Cons:
- Not all are machine washable
- With droolly dogs, you may have to wash this regularly, which could cause damage.
- Young puppies may enjoy tearing up and shredding the fabric.
Treat Balls
A really nice introduction to dog puzzles. Fill up the ball with kibble or treats and let your dog roll, kick, and nudge the ball around your home or garden, working out the best way to get those treats out!
Pros:
- It's easy, and some balls are big enough to put your dog's whole meal in.
- Slows down feeding time.
- Most balls are durable
Cons:
- Washing them inside can be a pain depending on what treats you use.
Trixie Mad Scientist Puzzle
A more difficult puzzle which should take your dog longer to get the hang of - and that's not a bad thing! Your dog will have to nudge the tubes with their nose or paws to get them to spin upside down for the treats to fall out.
Pros:
- Take a long while!
- Really works your dog's brain
- The toy comes with different lids for the tubes, so you can increase the difficulty level
Cons:
- Treats can easily get stuck, so small ones are a must.
- Recommended for dogs who do not get frustrated easily, so it's best for dogs who have experience with puzzle toys already.
Zogoflex Toppl
This is fairly similar to a Kong, in terms of the purpose of the toy. However the Toppl is a little more interesting as you can interlock the small and large sizes for an extra challenge!
Pros:
- Long lasting, and can be frozen to last even longer!
- Dishwasher friendly
- Durable
- You can add such a variety of foods to this, increasing or decreasing the difficulty
Cons:
- Can be more difficult for some dogs
For You!
If you are interested in enrichment and other ways to keep your dog's mind and body active, check out my Ultimate Boredom Buster:
Your Turn!
So, now you've seen my opinions, it's time to try some enrichment for yourself! There are plenty of options out there; these are just a few of my favourites.
What's Have You Tried From These?
Kong
Toppl
Treat Ball
Licki Mat
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