![]() ![]() If your puppy isn’t interested in the food you place in the puzzle, you can certainly start with treats. It’ll be like magic! Once your puppy learns to lift or paw the Kong® to empty it completely, he’s ready for the next most challenging puzzle. When he starts to sniff at the food, he’ll move the Kong® and the food will fall out. Put his kibble in it and place it on the floor. It should be small enough that your dog can pick it up with his mouth. For puppies or dogs that are new to the game, I often start with a Kong®. So, this is key point one – make the puzzle EASY to start with. If they give up and walk away, the puzzle’s simply too hard. Your dog should wag his tail, your cat should continuously work at the puzzle. Your pet should be focused and trying to get the food in his puzzle, and it should be fun. HOW DO I GET MY PET TO USE THE FOOD PUZZLE? We have many more ideas for homemade food puzzles below. Remember, you want the first few times to be really easy so that your pet finds it reinforcing and wants to play the game. This should be easy for your dog or cat to navigate – just a little sniffing will result in the food rolling out. J Take an empty toilet paper roll, put kibble or treats inside it and place it on the ground. One of the easiest to make at home is the toilet paper roll food puzzle. Here’s puppy Seeker starting a small meal from a slow feeder and you can see how it gets its name. Of course, make sure to monitor the dogs using the ones made of soft plastic so they don’t chew up or potentially ingest the feeder. For short-faced breeds, the slow feeders with shorter dividers are more appropriate. A few examples of slow feeders include Outward Hound Fun Feeder (hard plastic, tall dividers), Outward Hound Fun Mat (softer with shorter dividers), SloDog Slow Feeder (hard plastic, short dividers), Lorde Slow Feeder cat bowls (ceramic). There are many versions of “slow feeder” available and they’re all based on the same idea, a bowl or plate that has dividers in it so your pet can’t gulp their food down as fast. These are great fun but do tend to have parts that are easily ingested so don’t leave them with your pet unattended (e.g., some of Nina Ottosson’s puzzle games). Some food puzzles are made for you to interact with your pet helping them solve the puzzle. **All of the toys mentioned in this blog are listed in the resources section with a link to the manufacturer’s website or a website where you can purchase the product. If he ends up carrying it around and treating it like a toy, use the snuffle mat only during supervised sessions. Watch your dog carefully to see how he interacts with it. The snuffle mat has become very popular and can be left alone with some dogs but not others. Some are created for your pet to work at alone and are safe to leave with most dogs or cats (e.g., Kong®, Kong Wobbler TM, SlimCat TM interactive feeder, Cat Amazing Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Feeder)**. There are many different types on the market for both dogs and cats. WHAT ARE FOOD PUZZLES?įood puzzles are interactive devices made out of just about anything that’s safe for your dog or cat to play with or chew on. These are all situations in which food puzzles can be a big help! Interestingly, in addition to the above scenarios, working for food can be the special sauce picky dogs need to find their appetites. Your cat’s veterinarian has said she has to lose 2 pounds, but she LOVES to eat.Your teenaged dog or cat gobbles his food so fast that his nickname is Hoover.Your elderly dog spends his evenings wandering aimlessly and staring into corners.Your adult dog is home from surgery and desperate to go for a romp in the yard, but the doctor said he had to rest for FOURTEEN DAYS. ![]() Your puppy is rampaging around the house, grabbing socks and pillows, chasing the cat, barking.Here are a few scenarios for you to imagine: ![]() Food puzzles are just what the name implies – an object in which food is hidden and your pet needs to solve the puzzle of how to get the food out. ![]()
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