Stuffable food toys give your dog an important species-specific activity (sourcing food) and give you precious downtime.
Our dog Daisy absolutely loved her stuffed food toys!
What’s so great about stuffable food toys?
Stuffable food toys, such Toppls, Kongs, and others, let your dog engage in food-sourcing, which is an enriching activity that she's hardwired to do (i.e. find food and eat it!).
Why dogs need enrichment
Toppls have large openings at the top that are easier for some dogs to use.
Kongs, as in the picture above and video link below, have narrow openings at each end that mimic how your dog would extract marrow from a bone.
Enrichment activities burn off physical and mental energy and are stress- relievers for dogs.
Some dogs find Toppl toys easier to use, as it has a large flat opening on top. Kongs have a small opening at each end that mimics your dog removing marrow from a bone.
Stuffable food toys can be used for all your dog's meals or when you need some downtime - and they're great, gentle activities for senior dogs.
Easy stuffing steps — prep a few at a time so you always have an enrichment item on hand:
1. Soak your dog's kibble ration in enough warm water to soften it.
2. When it's soft, mix in some nonfat yogurt, applesauce, or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix!). Add enough to make a thick paste.
3. Stuff into food toys – pack them full!
4. Freeze the food toys, which will make them last longer.
If this is your dog's first time with a food toy, start with dry kibble in the toy and let them knock it out. You can also pique their interest by putting a small piece of chicken or cheese in the food toy as you prepare it.
You can also click here to watch my easy Kong stuffing video.
One caveat!
Kongs left on the floor can become trip hazards (ask me how I know), so give them to your dog in a particular area such as a crate or on a mat, and remember to pick them up when they’re empty. Depending on what you stuff them with and how vigorously your dog engages with them, food toys can get a little messy on a rug or carpet.
Below, check out our Daisy and Petey enjoying their Kongs while we cook dinner, so they’re not underfoot in the kitchen. As you’ll see, Daisy, the brown dog, is a licker, while Petey is a chomper. Both quickly learned to pick them up and drop them to get all the last bits of stuffing out.
