8 Creative Ways to Use Gently-Cooked Foods as Enrichment Tools for Your Dog
Who said you should never play with your food? When it comes to providing fun and games for your pup, playing with food should actually be encouraged!
This type of play falls into the enrichment category, and it is essential for keeping your dog mentally stimulated, physically active, and overall happy. Gently-cooked foods, with their high-quality ingredients and appealing flavours, can be a fantastic tool for enrichment.
Here are some creative ways to use gently-cooked foods to engage your dog:
- Lick Mats
Lick mats are a great way to slow down your dog’s eating and provide mental stimulation. Here’s what to do: Spread gently-cooked food on the mat. Tom&Sawyer has 9 complete and balanced gently-cooked recipes to choose from, so pick your dog’s favourite protein to get started! You can also add a splash of Tom&Sawyer Beef or Chicken Bone Broth to make it more enticing and increase the difficulty level!
- Slow Feeders
Slow feeders are designed to make your dog work a bit harder for their food, which can help prevent - excuse the pun – wolfing down their food. This can also help improve digestion! Here’s what to do: Fill the slow feeder with gently-cooked food to turn mealtime into a fun and engaging activity. You can also add Tom&Sawyer Beef or Chicken Bone Broth and freeze to increase the difficulty!
- Food Toys
Interactive food toys, like Kongs or puzzle feeders, can be filled with gently-cooked food to keep your dog entertained. These toys encourage problem-solving and can help reduce boredom and anxiety.
- Squeeze Tubes for Training
Using a squeeze tube filled with gently-cooked food can be a high-value reward during training sessions. If your gently-cooked food is a bit too chunky you can always blend it down for easier use. It’s easy to carry and allows you to give your dog a quick, tasty reward for good behavior.
- Scent Detection Games
Hide small amounts of gently-cooked food around the house or yard and let your dog use their nose to find it. This game taps into their natural foraging instincts and provides excellent mental stimulation.
- Frozen Treats
Make frozen treats by mixing gently cooked food with a bit of water or broth and freezing it in ice cube trays. These treats are perfect for hot days and can keep your dog occupied for a while. Read this blog post on ways to keep your pup cool in the summer heat for more info!
- Stuffed Chews
Fill hollow chews with gently-cooked food and freeze them. This provides a long-lasting chew that can help keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated.
- DIY Food Puzzles
Create your own food puzzles using household items. For example, place gently-cooked food in a muffin tin and cover each section with a tennis ball. Your dog will have to figure out how to remove the balls to get to the food.
Give Enrichment Tools a Try!
Using gently-cooked foods as enrichment tools can enhance your dog’s daily life by providing mental stimulation, physical activity, and delicious rewards. Whether you’re using a lick mat, slow feeder, or engaging in scent detection games, these creative methods can help keep your dog happy and healthy. Always supervise your dog during enrichment activities to ensure their safety and enjoyment, and most importantly, have fun!
Visit www.tomandsawyer.com to pick up some gently-cooked meals and start your dog’s enrichment journey today! You can also find a list of retailers that carry Tom&Sawyer here.
Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com