Having fun and enriching ways to feed your dog has been a growing trend in the past couple of years. There is loads of fun toys you can buy to change the way your dog’s eat. These food dispensing toys promote problem solving and helps add some extra mental exercise easily into your dog’s life. You do not have to spend oodles of money on store bought puzzle toys. Bring some variety into your dog’s life with these five enriching games made out of typical house hold items.

1. Water Bottles. Fill up a water bottle (or multiple) with your dog’s kibble. You can make it pretty easy by filling up the bottle or you can make it even harder by screwing the cap on lightly. Taking note to watch your dog carefully while they work on taking the cap off.
2. Towels. Use an old towel and carefully roll in length wise. While rolling it bury some kibble within the rolls. Release your dog and let them figure it out!
3. Toilet Paper Rolls. Collect a bunch of toilet paper rolls after the toilet paper has been used. Stuff each roll with a handful of kibble and carefully fold in both sides. You can then pile the rolls together or carefully distribute them throughout the house.
4. Newspapers / Flyers. Take your unneeded newspaper or flyers and crumble them together. Sprinkle your dog’s food throughout and cram them all into a box your dog can easily reach into. For Small dogs you can ditch the box and crumple the pile together on the floor.
5. Boxes. Collect boxes of various sizes & heights. Arrange them in a small pile and disperse your dog’s food between them. You can start easy by having all boxes open and easily accessible, you can make them harder by having box lids closed but still set up to help the dog get into them.

With just a tiny bit of creativity you can have an endless supply of brain draining food dispensing toys. When using these things be mindful that you are not using containers or things that may have contained something harmful to your dog. Also watch your dog closely their first experience with each food dispensing toy – especially young dogs – just in case they do something unpredictable – like chewing and swallowing inedible objects.