Dogs are natural hunters and scavengers. Prior to being domesticated by humans, they spent the majority of their waking hours trying to find food. Today, our dogs live relatively luxurious lives and are handed their daily meals. While it might seem nice that we give them this leisurely lifestyle, they are still animals with brains and bodies predisposed to problem solving and feeding themselves.
You can help your dog tap into their natural urges to chew and problem solve by integrating work-to-eat toys and bowls into their routine.
With that in mind, let’s dive in!
What is a work-to-eat toy and bowl?
- A work-to-eat toy is a plaything that dispenses food when your dog interacts with it (e.g. a kibble ball)
- A work-to-eat bowl, sometimes known as a slow feeder, is a bowl that incorporates a maze or other obstacles in order to force your dog to use their tongue (and brain) in order to access the food in the bowl.
What are the benefits of work-to-eat toys and bowls?
- Curb boredom. Boredom can lead to the destruction of your favorite slippers and other undesirable behavior like barking. By giving your dog a work-to-eat toy or bowl, you’re forcing them to expend mental energy and reducing the likelihood that they’ll have energy left to destroy your slippers.
- Ease Anxiety. We often hear from new pet parents whose dogs bark when they leave the house. This behavior is often driven by anxiety, and can be eased by providing your dog with a distraction such as their dinner in a work-to-eat bowl or toy. The reason this strategy is effective, is because your dog will be focused on getting their food out of the bowl or toy and less on your departure.
What are the different types of work-to-eat bowls and toys?
- Kibble balls. These are work-to-eat toys that your dog can nose around in order to get their food to fall out. They are usually best when used with dry food or dry treats. We recommend the Kibble Nibble Feeder Ball.
- Slow Food Bowls. These are usually plastic bowls that have little mazes or other obstacles in them designed to occupy dog tongues. We recommend the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl.
- Puzzle Toys. Puzzle toys usually have little latches and drawers and pegs that must be manipulated in order to release yummy stuff, wet or dry. We recommend: the Tornado and the Twister.
- Activity Mats. Also known as snuffle mats, these can be used with dry food or treats. They’re kind of like rugs that your dog has permission to play with!
- Toys You Can Stuff ‘Stuff’ Into. At Petcademy, we call these “Kong style” toys. Wet food or spreadable treats like soft cheese, peanut butter, or baby food, are easy to pair with a fun toy. In order to increase the time it takes your dog to get the good “stuff” out of the toy, you can try freezing the toy for a few hours once it’s been stuffed. In terms of toys, we recommend: the Toppl and the Kong.
How to use one of our favorite toys…The Toppl!
Shaped like a cup, the Toppl is a super-versatile latex-free rubber toy. Kongs tend to get food lodged in the small end, but the Toppl’s open design makes it possible for a dog to get out all of the food that is squished inside — a good work-to-eat toy should provide a bit of a challenge, but shouldn’t stump a dog entirely! Finger-like nubbins springing out from its bottom make it a bit more challenging. A hole in the side gives a useful secondary way for a dog to tackle the problem.
Because they’re dishwasher safe, super sturdy, and usable with both wet and dry foods, we have a lot of clients who are feeding a majority of their dogs meals in these colorful toys.