You might have heard some people say that dogs are just like kids, which might actually be more true than you think! Just like children—and adults—dogs of all ages require daily enrichment to entertain them mentally and physically.
It also helps encourage our furry friends to maintain their natural instincts and behaviors, like foraging and playing. That is where puzzle feeders come in handy! These interactive meal-time toys are a fantastic solution to increase mental stimulation, prevent cognitive decline, and even help slow superfast eaters.
Sadly, some puzzle feeders are too expensive for owners to justify buying. After all, what if their dog does not like it, or it does not fix the problem like they hoped? What then?
To minimize this risk, many dog owners have taken charge by creating their own wallet-friendly DIY dog puzzle feeders at home! Read on to discover the advantages of using these enrichment feeders and learn how to make your own with this step-by-step guide. This article will also assess the benefits of using different kinds of puzzle feeders and explore how each type can fulfill your dog’s needs.
How are puzzle feeders useful?
When dogs are mentally unstimulated, that is precisely when they start getting into trouble. All those holes your “stubborn” dog keeps digging in your yard, the non-stop barking, or that costly chewing habit they have? Those are all clear signs your pooch is bored! Puzzle feeders offer a way to engage your dog’s mind and keep them entertained, even when you do not have a lot of time to devote to enrichment activities. Simply fill your DIY puzzle feeder with an array of kibble, or some high-value treats, and let them go to town on it!
Another way dog puzzle feeders can be helpful is by preventing overeating or eating too fast. When a dog has to work for their food, mealtime becomes more challenging, which forces the dog to slow down, figure out the puzzle, and eat at a proper pace.
This helps promote healthy digestion, reduce their risk of choking or bloat (especially in large dog breeds), and improve their overall eating habits. On the other hand, puzzle feeders can also help dogs become more interested in eating when they struggle with the work-to-eat aspect of their meals. Because of that, puzzle feeders are a great option for all dogs! Overall, this fun tool is a great way to add healthy enrichment to your dog’s daily life.
3 ways make enriching dog do-it-yourself dog puzzle feeders at home.
Puzzle feeders, also known as interactive feeders, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While all these enrichment toys are designed to make dogs work for their food, each type serves to address specific issues experienced by dogs. To determine which style of feeder would be best for your beloved pet, consider your dog’s breed, eating style, and the problems/behaviors you want to address.
1. Snuffle Mats
Example of a Snuffle Mat from a Customer Review
Snuffle mats encourage your dog to forage for their food using sight, smell, and touch. Because this redirects their focus and calms them down, this puzzle feeder type can help alleviate various symptoms in dogs, including anxiety, cognitive decline, lack of self-control, and excess energy. The act of successful foraging releases dopamine in dogs, which also helps to improve their overall mood.
How to make a DIY Snuffle Mat
To make a DIY snuffle mat, you only need one thing: a sizeable piece of thick, heavy-weight fabric. It does not have to be anything fancy – an old blanket, a rolled-up towel, or a few shirts would do the trick!
The easiest way to make this feeder puzzle for your pet is to lay down a blanket and sprinkle kibble and/or treats into each of the folds you create. The more folds and creases you create, the more challenging it will be for your pet to find each crunchy morsel!
For a more advanced snuffle puzzle, you will need a rubber sink mat, or something else with a grid that you can use as a base to weave your fabric into. Once you have all your supplies ready, cut fabric strips out of the blanket, towel, or whatever other fabric you use. It is easiest to work with strips about 10 inches long and an inch wide. After all the fabric is cut up, feed each end of a single fabric strip through one of the holes in your grid and tie it into a knot. Continue with all the fleece until your mat is nice and full. You may need to go through the holes more than once in different directions to add more dimension to your mat. When you are happy with the fullness of your grid, toss a serving of kibble into the homemade puzzle feeder and let your dog search for it all!
2. Slow Feeder Bowls
Example of a Slow Feeder Bowl from a Customer Review
Slow feeder bowls are great for dogs that struggle with regulating their speed when consuming food, which is especially dangerous for deep-chested breeds prone to bloat. These enrichment feeders also help dogs that struggle with food aggression or anxiety. This kind of enrichment feeder has ridges or compartments at different depths, which forces your dog to take their time and work for their food.
How to make a DIY slow-feeder bowl
To make a slow-feeder bowl at home, you have quite a few options. Using their regular food bowl, spread some wet food on the bottom and stick kibble pieces into it. How it works: the wet food acts like glue for the dry kibble, making it more challenging for them to eat.
See also
Making frozen slow-feeder treat bowls is another fantastic option for summer enrichment for your dog! To do this, freeze layers of peanut butter, no-salt-added bone broth, and chunky treats like blueberries, dog bones, chopped carrots, kibble, and any other doggy favorites into a pet-safe dish. Along with cooling down your pet, this easy DIY puzzle feeder forces your pooch to lick the food free before they can eat it.
Muffin tins or egg cartons are a base for another popular DIY dog slow feeder. All you have to do is place small amounts of kibble (wet, dry, or a mix of both) into each muffin trough. This divides your dog’s food into sections, slowing them down as they eat. To make this puzzle more complex, place tennis balls or large dog toys on top of the tray. Each time your dog moves to eat more, they need to knock the obstacle out of the way to reach the food.
3. Brick Feeders
Example of a Brick Feeder from a Customer Review
Brick puzzles are ideal for engaging dogs with food and providing mental enrichment. Taking the word “puzzle” literally, this unique feeder has closed compartments that require your dog to use their nose or paws to be rewarded with the food inside.
How to make a brick feeder/slow-feeder out of a plastic bottle
Wash a plastic bottle, remove any labels, and cut small holes in the side. Fill the bottle with a mix high- and low-value small treats, including kibble, and give it to your dog. They will need to throw the bottle around to get the food out. The more holes there are, the easier the puzzle will be for them.
This DIY feeder puzzle has another major benefit: most people already have this waste product at home, making it one of the easiest and cheapest enrichment toys to create! Using this in combination with other enrichment feeders can benefit your dog by stimulating their natural instincts, such as problem-solving, scenting, chewing, and hunting.
Other Things to Consider
While DIY puzzle feeders can greatly benefit your pet, it is important to note that they do not need to be used for every meal. Always consider your dog’s diet, energy level, and interest in the puzzle feeder to ensure their safety and health. If your dog is used to eating from a regular bowl or commonly free feeds, it may take some time for them to adjust to the new feeding method.
Start slowly with a less difficult puzzle feeder for 15-20 minutes per day and gradually increase the duration. Always supervise your pets when they have access to any kind of feeder puzzle. Above all else, remember to provide proper nutrition to your dog every day and offer other enriching activities, such as long walks and outdoor sensory experiences.
