5 Cheap DIY Food Puzzles to Help Your Dog Eat Slowly

Why Use Food Puzzles?

Food puzzles can help your dog to think. Depending on the food puzzle your dog will need to sniff, search, lick or move things around to get each piece of food.

Here are some benefits:

Not all dogs will slow down when using a food puzzle. Some may still be quick eaters. If your dog regularly gobbles their food or struggles to eat then speak to your vet to see what feeding options are best for them.

5 Budget DIY Food Puzzle Ideas

These food puzzles are easy to make and can be tailored to your dog’s experience. Try using your dog’s usual kibble.

1. Muffin Tin Puzzle

A muffin tin is a helpful item to have in your home. This can easily be turned into a simple food puzzle.

What You’ll Need:

• Clean Muffin Tin
• Dry Food or Small Treats for your dog
• Optional – A few suitable dog toys or balls.

How To Make:

1. Fill a few of the sections with a small amount of your dog’s food.
2. Leave a few empty.
3. If your dog is comfortable then cover a few of the filled sections with suitable dog toys of the right size.
4. Place on a non slip surface.
5. Let your dog search for their food.

Start with leaving them uncovered so your dog understands how to play. Once they are used to playing you can use safe covers that can be moved easily.

This helps as the food is separated into sections. Your dog will need to move around to find all the food.

Safety Tip: Ensure the tin is strong with no sharp edges. Ensure covers are too big to swallow and won’t get stuck in their mouth. Always supervise and if your dog begins to chew the puzzle then take it away.

2. Towel Roll Puzzle

A towel roll is a budget idea that can encourage your dog to sniff and search for their food. Great for dogs who enjoy using their nose.

What You’ll Need:

• One clean towel
• Dry food or small treats.

How To Make:

1. Lay the towel out flat.
2. Scatter some kibble across the towel.
3. Roll or fold loosely.
4. Place in front of your dog.
5. Encourage them to sniff for their food.

If your dog is a beginner then ensure the folds aren’t too tight and some of the food can be seen. As your dog gets used to the puzzle you can hide the food a little more.

This helps your dog to search and sniff the towel to find individual pieces of food. This makes the meal more interesting.

Safety Tip: Always supervise. If your dog begins to chew, tear or swallow pieces of fabric then stop the game and use a different puzzle.

3. Cardboard Box Search

An empty cardboard box can easily be turned into a simple food puzzle. This encourages your dog to sniff and search.

What You’ll Need:

• One clean cardboard box.
• Dry food or treats for your dog.
• Optional – A little clean plain paper.

How To Make:

1. Ensure the box is strong with no staples, sharp edges or loose tape.
2. Place a small amount of kibble inside.
3. If your dog is comfortable then place a little loose crumpled paper inside.
4. Place on a non slip surface.
5. Encourage your dog to search for their food.

Ensure the food is easy to reach. Gradually change the layout to make it more interesting.

This encourages your dog to use their nose to search the box. It also helps to make their usual meal more interesting.

Safety Tip: Only use with dogs who can search the cardboard without eating it. Always supervise and if your dog begins to tear and swallow the cardboard or paper then take it away.

4. Snuffling Towel with Treats

You don’t need a snuffling mat from the shops. You can use a suitable towel to introduce a simple snuffling puzzle.

What You’ll Need:

• Clean towel.
• Dry kibble or small treats.

How To Make:

1. Lay the towel out flat on a clean surface.
2. Sprinkle a few pieces of food across.
3. Fold loosely to hide some pieces.
4. Let your dog sniff through.
5. Let them find the food at their own pace.

To make it easier leave the food closer to the surface. Don’t tie into tight knots or folds that could catch their nose or paws.

This encourages your dog to use their nose to find the food. It makes a small amount of their meal into a searching puzzle.

Safety Tip: Ensure the towel doesn’t have loose threads or damaged fabric. Always supervise and if your dog begins to chew then take it away.

5. Lick Mat

A lick mat can be a great option for dogs who like to lick their soft food. The texture of the mat will help to spread the food into sections. This will encourage your dog to work through their meal.

What You’ll Need:

• Dog Safe Lick Mat.
• Soft dog food or suitable dog safe food.

How To Make:

1. Ensure you have the right size for your dog.
2. Spread a thin layer of soft food over the textured surface.
3. Place on a stable non slip surface.
4. Let your dog explore and lick.
5. Once finished take away and clean.

Use suitable wet dog food or soft kibble. If you want to use plain pumpkin puree or other human foods ensure it is safe to use and doesn’t have any unsuitable additions.

This encourages your dog to lick different areas of the mat rather than eating from a bowl. This can help to make a small meal or snack last longer.

Safety Tip: Always supervise. If your dog begins to chew then take it away. Ensure it isn’t damaged and clean as per the manufacturers instructions.

Tips For Helping Your Dog Eat Slower

Food puzzles can make mealtimes more interesting. Here are some tips to help your dog enjoy the puzzles.

If your dog becomes frustrated then take the puzzle away. The goal is to make mealtimes enjoyable.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these mistakes when making homemade food puzzles.

• Don’t use unsafe items. Avoid using anything with sharp edges, small loose pieces, toxic items or anything that could be swallowed.
• Don’t make it too difficult. This may put your dog off eating.
• Don’t leave your dog alone. Household items can become dangerous if chewed.
• Don’t add too many treats. This can quickly add up. Use suitable amounts.
• Don’t ignore damage. Check towels, boxes, mats and other items are in good condition before each use.
• Don’t expect it to work. Some dogs enjoy sniffing puzzles whilst others enjoy licking or searching.

Choose puzzles that suit your dog’s behaviour. Take anything away that they can’t use safely.

FAQs