Occupation dog toys

Why give your dog enrichment toys?

Walks and physical activity are important for dogs, but they are not the only ways to keep them active. Sniffing, searching, licking, chewing, manipulating objects and problem-solving are also interesting activities to incorporate into their daily routine.

Dog enrichment toys provide different activities to enjoy at home. Depending on the design, your dog may have to search for kibble, gradually release food, lick a preparation or work out how to access a reward.

The aim is not to keep your dog occupied all the time: rest is an essential part of their well-being. Enrichment toys are instead an additional activity to offer, alongside walks, interactions with you, training and exploration.

Licking, searching and problem-solving: not all enrichment toys offer the same activity

You can prioritise toys that stimulate a sense your dog particularly enjoys using. For example, some dogs can spend several minutes searching for a few pieces of kibble with their nose, while others prefer licking, manipulating or chewing.

However, offering your dog a variety of activities remains essential. You can, for example, alternate between a scent-based activity, a licking activity, a toy to manipulate and an activity shared with you. This variety helps ensure that enrichment is not limited to a single type of stimulation.

An enrichment toy should not become an impossible puzzle

When your dog discovers a new toy, start by making the task relatively easy. With a stuffable toy, for example, leave some of the food easily accessible. With a snuffle mat, place the first pieces of kibble in simple hiding places or where they are clearly visible. Your dog should be able to understand fairly quickly how their actions allow them to access the reward.

Once they understand how it works, you can gradually increase the difficulty: hide the treats more thoroughly, use a filling that requires more licking or introduce a more complex mechanism.

Use part of the daily food allowance rather than always adding treats

Using food to keep your dog occupied does not necessarily mean increasing the amount they eat during the day. One simple solution is to use part of their usual daily food allowance in a treat-dispensing toy, snuffle mat or stuffable toy when their diet is suitable for this.

The same meal can therefore involve more searching and manipulation than eating from a conventional bowl. This can be particularly practical for dogs that finish their food very quickly.

If you add dog treats or other foods to their usual diet, simply remember to take them into account as part of their daily intake, particularly for dogs that tend to gain weight.

Can enrichment toys replace a walk?

No. Offering a snuffle mat or a stuffed toy does not replace going outside, where your dog can walk, explore their surroundings, discover new smells and encounter different stimuli.

However, the two activities are complementary. A searching game can be interesting on a day when the weather is poor, during a quiet moment at home or simply to add more variety to your dog's daily routine.