Dogs' brains evolved from wolves who had to hunt or scavenge for every bite of food. One of the greatest innovations for pet dogs is the work-to-eat toy: a food toy designed to be stuffed or smeared with food and then frozen, giving your dog a satisfying mental challenge.
You can manipulate how hard it is for your dog to empty a food toy using different types of toys and stuffings. Consider your dog's level of experience and temperament. Are they persistent, or do they give up easily? Start easy so your dog succeeds before making it harder.
Lick mats, puzzle bowls, or food toys with large openings such as the Toppl or Tux make it easy for your dog to access the stuffing, or you can put small treats into a Kong that will fall out easily. Serve un-frozen.
Kongs or food toys with small openings that make it harder for your dog to access the stuffing, served frozen.
The best stuffing is anything your dog loves, however, keep in mind that most dogs also love variety, so switch up your stuffings from time to time. The most common stuffings are:
You can incorporate treats and chews into your food toys to make them more fun. Bonus treats sticking out of the top can also encourage less enthusiastic dogs or puppies to get started. Common bonuses are:
Most dogs will consume a frozen food toy before the contents can thaw enough to leak, however, they are likely to drool and make a small mess while eating. You can manage this by feeding food toys in a crate, on a dog blanket, or outside.