Tasty Tail-Wagging Treats and Activities: Food Enrichment for Dogs

Dog Enrichment Food Ideas

Though there are a ton of ways that you can use enrichment to improve your pet’s life, food is one of the easiest and most common. Food enrichment for dogs is so popular that businesses are constantly creating new treats, foods, food-related toys, and activities for your pups to enjoy. The best part of using this type of enrichment is that it is so versatile. This guide will go over the different kinds of dog enrichment food ideas as well as the many different ways you can use it to improve your dog’s quality of life.

Benefits of Food Enrichment for Dogs

Everybody loves giving their furry friends fun treats and keeping them busy with food puzzles, but did you know that they can also provide a ton of benefits? Dog food enrichment can help prevent bloat as well as other health and digestive issues by slowing down the speed at which your pup eats their meals. Depending on the type of dietary enrichment you choose, it can also help you give pills, stimulate appetites, improve dental health, provide extra beneficial nutrients, fight boredom, and help with anxiety issues.

Food enrichment isn’t just for dogs. if you have other animals that you take care of, check out our post for more information about feeding enrichment for pets.

Dog Enrichment Food Ideas

When you are picking out the type of dog food enrichment you want to use, you will want to consider several factors such as the individual characteristics of your pup and if there’s something specific you want to accomplish with it. If you are hoping it will help you with a specific problem, some kinds are better suited for the job than others. In this section we will go over different types of food enrichment for dogs and what they may be able to help with.

Dog Enrichment Recipes

When most people think of dog food enrichment, they think of the basic biscuits that you buy in the store. Biscuits are a great type of food enrichment but there are plenty of other different types of food and dog enrichment recipes if you want to venture beyond the basics.

Dog Treats and Food Toppers

When you walk into any kind of pet store, you’ll find a huge selection of dog treats and toppings to choose from. Treats and food toppers are great ways to quickly spoil your pup, help give medications, stimulate their appetite, and train new behaviors.

If you are interested in making your own treats at home, here are several dog enrichment recipes and even a dog cookbook to help get you started:

• DIY Sushi Treats for Dogs
• Dehydrated Dog Treats by Shed Happens
• Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Biscuits by Bigger Better Baking
• Mango Chicken Jerky by Doggy Desert Chef
• Peanut Butter Bacon by Doggy Desert Chef

The Doggy Desert Chef has a TON of fun and unique recipes for your pup. They even have a recipe book if you find that making homemade treats is your jam!

Treats can also be different types of dog-safe fruits and vegetables. We love feeding our dogs the produce that we grow in our dog-friendly garden. Not only are fruits and vegetables a healthy, low-calorie treat, but they can also help bridge the gap with nutrient deficiencies and even have their own health benefits like these fall foods.

Food toppers are great if you are looking to change the flavor or texture of your dog’s food. You can mix them in, sprinkle them on top, or even feed some kinds (like gravies) separately. You can buy food topper packets in stores or use wet food, dog-friendly seasonings, and other types of food like crumbled-up bacon or dog treats.

One overlooked way of enriching your dog is simply by presenting their food differently than normal. Try cooking the meats and vegetables they normally get in a different way- think steamed, grilled, or frozen. You can even cut them into different sizes and shapes or build something fun out of them. We’ve had fun using fruits and vegetables for our snowmen in winter!

Frozen Treats for Dogs

Frozen dog treats are a great way to keep your pup occupied for longer than just a normal treat. It’s also a fantastic way to help keep them cool on hot summer days! You can buy different flavors of dog-friendly ice cream and popsicles in most stores. However, if you want to save money and make your own at home, we have a collection of posts and recipes to help you out:

• Homemade Dog Popsicles
• Frozen Pumpkin Dog Cookie by Tail Wag Wisdom
• Homemade Dog Ice Cream
• Frozen PB and Fruit Dog Treat by Doggy Desert Chef

Some foods you can even freeze by themselves like carrots which can help clean the tartar off their teeth as they chew on it. Like most frozen treats, you will want to watch to make sure they don’t get too rough with it and that it doesn’t end up being a choking hazard when they get it down to a smaller piece.

Using Mental and Food Enrichment for Dogs

Food enrichment for dogs is more than just giving special treats, it can also help stimulate your dog mentally. Training is a great way to strengthen the bond with your pup as well as give their brain a workout. And tasty treats are essential when you are teaching your pup a new behavior or even just brushing up on ones they already know.  

If you want to mix it up, you can also have fun by making dietary enrichment part of a game. In fact, there are several food-involved dog games that you can play with your pup on our list of Dog Party Games.

Puzzle Feeders

Puzzle feeders are another interactive way to give your pets food enrichment while stimulating their brains. They are also a good way to keep your dog occupied for a while and even tire them out a bit. It requires your pup to solve a problem to get its food or treats. These puzzles vary in skill level so it is important to pick the right type for your pup otherwise it can increase anxiety and frustration levels.

These puzzles can be a bit pricey so if you aren’t sure which type is best for your dog, you can make different versions at home to test them out first. We go over several types that you can make at home in our DIY Dog Enrichment post.

Once you find the right puzzles that are in your dog’s wheelhouse, it might be a better investment to purchase one from the store. You can usually find a few in the clearance isles or at stores like Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. Remember to start slowly and gradually increase the difficulty to prevent frustration.

Slow Feeder Bowls, Food Scatter, Snuffle Mats, and Lick Mats for Dogs

If you are looking for more ways to lengthen the time it takes your dog to eat their food, think of using a slow feeder bowl, food scatter, snuffle mat, or lick mats. The ones that you should choose will depend on the type of food you feed your pup.

Slow Feeder Bowls

Slow Feeder bowls are simply bowls with some raised design in them that makes it impossible for a dog to quickly scarf down its food because they have to eat around the design. You can use wet or dry food in these.

Scatter Feeds

Scatter feeds don’t require any special equipment, but you will need dry food or treats for it. Simply scatter or hide the food items in an area and sit back as your dog hunts down each piece. This is a great way to encourage their natural foraging behavior and increase their activity level. You make it easy and use the floor, or more difficult if you scatter the food in a grassy area. Keep in mind that if it’s hard for them to find, it will also be harder for you when it comes time to clean up.

Snuffle Mats

Snuffle mats are mats with different materials attached to them that create different folds and pockets where you can hide things for your pet to find. They are another way to encourage foraging behavior in a small and contained space. These mats can be considered a different type of feeder puzzle because there is a bit of problem-solving involved for your dog to find and get the food. This is another dry food and dog treats activity.

Lick Mats

Lick Mats are flat and provide different texture patterns where you put spreadable dog-safe treats on them for your pup to lick off. Lick mats are a great time filler and may also help your dog cope with anxiety.

Safety Considerations When Giving Food Enrichment for Dogs:

No matter what type of enrichment you give your pet, there are some considerations that you should be aware of to help keep your pup safe. Here’s a list of things you should know when giving food enrichment to your dog:

• Always watch your dog to make sure they are interacting safely with new treats or food puzzles.
• Always verify that any food or seasoning you give is dog-safe with your vet or a trustworthy website.
• Avoid choking hazards. You may have to cut food into smaller or larger pieces, avoid certain foods altogether, or remove treats when they get too small for your pup to enjoy safely.
• Check all food and items for sharp edges or loose pieces before giving it to your dog.
• Watch out for allergic or negative reactions when giving new food or toys. This includes digestive issues as well as an increase in frustration or aggression. You might have to avoid giving certain foods or puzzles in the future or take the time to help your pup figure them out.
• Be aware of any tight or difficult places to clean when selecting the type of food to be used in puzzles and feeders.
• Clean all puzzles and feeders thoroughly between uses and be careful what chemical you use to clean them. For example, it is recommended that you avoid using bleach to clean porous materials like wood.
• Limit the amount of dietary enrichment you give each day. Too much of any type of food may upset your dog’s stomach as well as lead to nutritional and weight issues.
• Remember to vary the type of enrichment to keep your pet engaged and interested.

Start Introducing Your Dog to a World of Fun and Flavor

The most important thing to remember is that food enrichment is more than just giving your dog a treat or two! Take the time to explore treats, textures, puzzles, and games with your pup and discover which ones they like the best. Once you realize what your dog enjoys, you can also use it to help with many common problems like boredom, anxiety, hyperactivity, medications, and digestive issues. The best part of cycling through the different types of enrichment with your pup is knowing that you are giving them the best life possible!

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