Top picks for enrichment feeders
Did you know that dogs like us also thrive on being mentally stimulated? Keeping their mind active can build confidence, reduce undesirable behaviour and ultimately make them feeling more relaxed and happier. A bored dog will often find his own entertainment such as chewing, biting and barking and that may be deemed undesirable by us.
Traditionally the focus tends to be on keeping dogs active by exercising them, taking them for long walks and hikes and making them run the distance with us to keep fit. However, it is equally important to focus on stimulation of a different kind which engages their brain and other senses. The experts tell us that 20 minutes of sniffing is equivalent to an hour’s walk in terms of enrichment for your dog.
Enrichment is defined as the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something. When it comes to dogs this often means using the mind or body to stay active, exercise or engage the brain. There are different types of games and activities you can engage with your dog, the easiest being using puzzle feeders and enrichment toys.
If you make mealtime fun, then your dog will be mentally and physically satisfied. It’s as easy as ditching the typical dog bowl and using your dog’s daily food portions to fill enrichment toys and puzzle feeders, so ditch the bowl and replace them with puzzle feeders and enrichment toys.
If your pet is new to enrichment, start off easy and progress at your dog’s pace. Some enrichment toys may be noisy and can startle a nervous dog and you can place the feeder on a towel or non-slip mat while your dog grows in confidence. Some puzzle feeders are very challenging. Start with easier toys so that your dog doesn’t become frustrated and give up. Once your dog has mastered the art of using puzzle feeders, you can progress to trickier toys. A Snufflemat is a great introduction to enrichment feeders, as it’s stationary, makes no noise and gets your dog used to searching for rewards.
These are our top picks for enrichment feeders:
Snufflemate
$30
Designed by a Fear Free Certified Veterinarian and handmade with love.
Use the SnuffleMate to make mealtimes more exciting, stimulating and fun for your pet dogs and cats.Foraging, hunting and seeking are instinctive behaviours for dogs and cats. It is the thrill or the pursuit of the food that is more satisfying than the food itself. It is also brilliant to beat boredom and also helps to slow down fast eaters.
Directions for use:
1. Put the SnuffleMate on the floor and drop kibble, meat or treats on top of the fleece strips.
2. Ask your pet to “find it”.
3. Next, hide the kibble, meat or treats between the fleece strips so your pet has to hunt for them.
4. Happy Sniffing and Snuffling!
Important: Remove the mat after each meal through an exchange with something higher in value. Replace with a new SnuffleMate when pieces are torn or worn. Use under supervision; fleece strips and base if chewed off are a choking hazard.
Care instructions: Hand wash in warm water and rinse thoroughly. Hang out to dry. Not suitable for tumble drying or dry cleaning.
Snuffleball
$15
Use the SnuffleBall to make meal times more exciting, stimulating and fun for your pet dogs and cats. Foraging, hunting and seeking are instinctive behaviours for dogs and cats. A feel-good brain chemical known as Dopamine increases when an opportunity to gain food appears. It is the thrill or the pursuit of the food that is more satisfying than the food itself. Every feed is an opportunity to give something to your pet; an opportunity to exhibit natural behaviour. No animal evolved to receiving free food in a bowl.
Direction for use:
1. Stuff the SnuffleBall with kibble, meat or treats in between the folds of fleece.
2. Place the SnuffleBall down onto the floor and ask your pet to “find it”.
Sootherpad
$10
SootherPad can be used as an alternative to a food bowl thus making meal times more exciting!
The act of licking is calming and soothing for your dog and also helps to slow them down during meal times. A similar portion in a bowl can be finished in 10 secs while a portion spread out on the SootherPad can take 10 minutes.
SootherPad can be also be used during shower time or grooming thus making these essential but often dreaded activities more enjoyable! Your dog is likely to start following you into the shower so showers may soon become a favourite past time.
Directions for use:
Spread soft foods or press down smaller pieces of harder treats or meat pieces into the mat surface. For an added challenge, the SootherPad can be put into the freezer for 2-4 hours before giving it to your dog.
Remove the SootherPad after meals to prevent unnecessary destruction of the SootherPad as it not a toy. Wash and clean with regular dishwashing detergent and left to airdry. Dishwasher safe.
Repeat use during each meal.
Important: Remove the SnuffleBall after each meal through an exchange with something higher in value. Replace with a new SnuffleBall when pieces are torn or worn. Use under supervision; fleece pieces if chewed off are a choking hazard.
Care instructions: Hand wash in warm water and rinse thoroughly. Hang out to dry. Not suitable for tumble drying or dry cleaning.
SnufflePuzzle
$20
The SnufflePuzzle has spaces where food, treats or meat can be hidden for your beloved pet to sniff out. It is an awesome way to keep meal times interesting and allows your pet to return to his natural instincts of sniffing their food out and being rewarded once it is found. It can be machine or hand washed and then airdried. Easy to wash with laundry detergent and left to air dry.
SnuffleBubble
$20
SnuffleBubble is an awesome feeding tool for all sized dogs. It comprises a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) ball stuffed with fleece fabric rolls tightly fitted inside the ball. The fleece strips can be unraveled to place food and treat bits in. The ball can be held easily by the teeth or paws and rolled and thrown about for the food pieces to come out. It gets harder and more skill is required for as the dogs attempt to roll out their food or treats stuffed in the fleece strips. Offer it to you beloved pets during meal time and let the fun begin! Easy to wash with dishwashing detergent and left to air dry.
SnuffleTrove
$30
SnuffleTrove will keep your pups mentally stimulated, playing and happily learning. It can be used during meal times or when you need to keep them gainfully occupied. SnuffleTrove is filled with obstacles such a turn dials and drawers and has no removable parts. The parts can be filled with dry food, treats or meat and also filled with liquid or semi solid and then popped into the freezer for that extra lasting delight. Easy to wash with dishwashing detergent and left to air dry.
SnuffleTwister
$30
SnuffleTwister is a challenging, interactive feeding tool for your pet dog.
This feeding tool is best suited for advanced sniffers and those who have had a go at the easier feeding tools.
The SnuffleTwister involves moving the layers in a clockwise direction to unlock the food treasures hidden in the compartments. There are 2 layers that have to be twisted before all the food treasures can be food.
A very stimulating feeding tool that is sure to keep your pooch occupied and stimulated during meal times! Easy to wash with dishwashing detergent and left to air dry.
SnuffleRoller
$30
The SnuffleRoller has two components that can not only enrich your pet’s feeding times, but also slow down their feeding speeds. It consists of a roller component which the dogs have to move with their nose or paw to enable the dog food to be released through the holes down into a slow feeder plate. Such will help to lengthen out meal times enabling your pet to enjoy and chew their food to aid digestion. Easy to wash with dishwashing detergent and left to airdry.
SnuffleWobble
$15
The Snufflewobble is a wobbling food dispensing toy that your pup has to paw, nose and move around so that food pieces come through a hole to reward them. The SnuffleWobble is stimulating for the senses and introduce a slight challenge during meal time. It is a good way to combat boredom and to slow down the gobblers! Easy to wash with dishwashing detergent and airdry.