Food dispensing toys

Food Dispensing Toys for Dogs and Cats

What are food dispensing toys?

            Food dispensing toys are toys that the animal has to play with or manipulate in order to have food drop from the toy or are designed so the animals must lick food from the toy.  There are many types, shapes and styles of food dispensing toys.  The toy type you choose will depend on the size and play style of you animal.

Why use food dispensing toys?

            There are many reasons to use food dispensing toys.  For a dog or cat that eats its food too fast, a food dispensing toy can slow the eating habits.  Food dispensing toys mimic a more natural way of eating for dogs and cats, as they mimic hunting and foraging.  Wild dogs and cats do not eat 2 big meals a day, but instead eat 12 small meals throughout the day.  These toys create a more natural feeding pattern.

These toys also provide great mental stimulation and enrichment  for a pet that is alone all day, they can increase exercise for a pet who cannot go on walks, and they can keep a puppy or kitten busy when there is no one to play with.  Additionally food dispensing toys can aid in crate training or training to lie on a bed for a long period of time

Who should use a food dispensing toy?

            Any animal that is physically able!  For young animals, meal times can be spread over a longer period of time, creating play and meal time together.  Older pets that can’t take long walks can benefit from the mental and physical exercise that is involved with food dispensing toys.  Any pet that is left alone all day can benefit from the mental and physical stimulation while their owners are away. For post- surgery pets who are not allowed to exercise, a food dispensing toys can help entertain the pet while he heals.    Overweight animals benefit from eating multiple small meals each day and burn extra calories when they must work for their food.

How do you use food dispensing toys?

            Food dispensing toys can be filled with any kind of food the animal can eat.  In many cases dry kibble or canned food can be used.  You can also add “treats” to the toy, store bought treats, cooked meat, cheese, peanut butter, rice, bananas, baby carrot and much much more.  The toy type will determine what food you should add.

Types of Food Toys

Toys involving more licking manipulation (less physical)

            These toys are often filled with many different things.   Start by smearing a sticky substance (peanut butter, canned food, cream cheese, etc.) into the toy, then filling it with kibble, treats, vegetables or fruit.  These toys can be put in the freezer to make them last even longer.  These types of toys include:

KONG Classic (dogs)

Premier’s Twist ‘n Treat (cats and dogs)

Premier’s Squirrel Dude (dogs)

Treats and kibble in a block of ice (dogs) Fill a plastic container with water, drop in treats, kibble, carrots, etc. then freeze.  After it freezes, put it out in the yard and let the dogs “find” the treats.

Toys requiring more physical activity

            These toys get the animals moving and thinking.  Most of them require the animal to manipulate the toy a certain way for the kibble or treat to fall out.  These toys are great for meal time.  When using these toys, make sure the kibble or treat is the proper size.  If the food is too big, it won’t come out and the animal will get frustrated.  If the food is too small, the toy will be too easy.  These types of toys include:

Premier’s Kibble Nibble Ball (dogs)

Premiers Magic Mushroom (dogs)

Premier’s Tug-a-jug (dogs)

Premier’s Roly Rope (dogs)

Premier’s Twist ‘n Treat Teaser (cats)

Premier’s Egg Cersizer (cats)

Pipolino (cats and dogs) find at pipolino.ca

KONG wobbler (cats and dogs)

PetSafe SlimCat ball (cats)

Buster Food Cube (dogs)

Molecuball (dogs)

Atomic Treat Ball (dogs)

Puzzle toys (supervision required)

            These toys come as soft plush toys or plastic toys.  With the puzzle toys the dogs usually must remove smaller object that are hidden within a larger object or find a treat hidden under different cups or containers.  The dog must use their noses to locate the treat.  Then they use their paws and mouths to uncover the treat or toy.  These types of toys include:

Hide-N-Seek Plush dog toys (Squirrel, Bird, Bee)

Seek-A-Treat shuffle bone puzzle by Ethical dog

Seek-A-Treat Flip-n-flap by Ethical dog

Interactive Puzzle Pizza Dog Toy by Zanies

Star Spinner Puzzle by Kyjen

Dog Brick Puzzle Toy by Frontgate

Most of the toys can be found at many pet stores or online.