Puzzles and Games
Are you concerned about separation anxiety or general uneasiness with your pet when you leave? Mental stimulation is key for a happy and healthy lifestyle for your pet. Not only do puzzles and games provide mental exercise but also some physical exercise and dexterity improvements. Providing a few puzzles or toy options for your pet decreases anxiety and boredom, which can lead to decreased destructive behaviors. It also helps release pent-up energy during the day.
Providing high value, nutritious supplements to the puzzles increases the benefit of gameplay, and pets love it!
Puzzles and games for pets are a relatively new area of pet care, but it is a growing market. With new additions and styles added monthly, interactive toys and puzzles help redirect your pup’s energy and natural instinct to chew, dig, and hunt. They are also a great way to slow down fast eaters and increase digestion.
The key is to have a diversity of not just puzzles that you rotate through, but also treats and food. Your pet will continue to be excited with the variety. It may take trial and error to see what puzzles your pet enjoys most, so don’t lose heart if they are not immediately interested.
Five popular options:
Kong Classic Dog Toy
Kong toys have been a favorite chew toy of furry friends for more than 30 years. The bouncy rubber toy can be stuffed with any treat your dog likes. We know many pups prefer peanut butter!
Whether your dog is pawing it around the house or carefully licking out every last goody, it’s bound to keep him entertained all day long. Available in multiple sizes and with special varieties for puppies, seniors, and extreme chewers.
Nina Ottosson Outward Hound Puzzle Toy for Dogs
Watch out! If you let your dog spend too much time with this clever puzzle, they’ll soon outsmart you. The wooden toy requires your dog to maneuver the levers to reveal treats.
Made by the well-regarded line of Swedish puzzle toys, Nina Ottosson, it’s a great exercise in mental stimulation that keeps your dog curious.
Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball Interactive Dog Toy
The IQ Treat Ball can be filled with treats, with the opening based on the desired difficulty. Want to entertain your canine all day long? Tighten that opening. Make it easy? Open it up. A one size fits all dog puzzle toy. Toys like this are great for keeping your dog physically active while also ensuring they are staying stimulated and less likely to be destructive.
Paw5 Wooly Snuffle Mat
Perhaps one of the most classic puzzle toys, snuffle mats are a fun way to work your dog’s brain while they sniff out treats or kibble in the strands fabric. This popular version gets great reviews and works well for dogs of all sizes and ages. It’s also machine washable for easy clean up.
OurPets Waffle Puzzle Toy
Who doesn’t love a food-themed toy? It’s great for dogs who need a slightly simpler puzzle to solve, who might otherwise be frustrated by something more difficult.
This is a really cute puzzle, and is good for a dog who is just starting out with enrichment toys. Since the “syrup” top portion doesn’t cover all of the cubes, dogs can quickly learn that they can reach the hidden treats with a press of the nose. Treat slots in the lower portion’s corners make for an additional challenge that takes time to figure out.
Don’t see something that fits your fancy or think will keep your pet’s attention? We’d love to help you find something that works for them!
