By Dr. Wailani Sung
Want to keep your pets happy and out of trouble? Enrichment toys are a fantastic solution to prevent boredom and destructive behavior, keeping pets happy and occupied. They are a fantastic way to keep our dogs and cats occupied and out of trouble during the day, especially while pet guardians are away at work, back to school, or in virtual meetings at home. Many enrichment items are designed to hold food, making them perfect for feeding your pet their meals or keeping them busy with tasty treats.
Puzzle toys keep your pet mentally and physically engaged, regardless of whether you are home or away. These toys are designed to be pushed around, picked up, shaken, dropped, or thrown. The kibble or treat you place inside is dispensed based on your pet’s movements. While they work on a puzzle toy, it provides an outlet for excess energy or anxiety, promoting exploratory behavior and building confidence.
“Puzzle toys keep your pet mentally and physically engaged when you are home or away.”
When choosing a puzzle toy for your dog, consider their breed and preferences. Active breeds may enjoy moving toys, while beginners should start with simple, pushable options.
Demonstrate how to use the toy to encourage exploration. For chewers, provide rubber toys with squeezable treats or grooves for lickable food, which can keep them engaged for 10-15 minutes. Rough players need durable toys, and ball lovers might enjoy treat-dispensing balls. Sniff-oriented dogs can benefit from snuffle mats, while those who use their paws may like wobbling toys that release food. For cats, choose moving, noisy toys without detachable parts and supervise their play.
