Don’t worry about spending a lot of money on expensive toys or complex equipment. Often using just a couple of toilet roll tubes will provide your dog with a fun activity.
Using toilet rolls can provide simple enrichment activities for your dog. This is a great way to keep your dog busy on a rainy day or during quiet times indoors.
The best thing is you will probably have everything you need.
In this guide we have 5 fun dog games using toilet rolls. The activities are easy to set up and can be done using items you’ll have around your home. You can tailor these activities depending on your dog’s experience.
These activities should always be closely supervised. Toilet rolls are not chew toys and if your dog attempts to eat the cardboard or gets too boisterous stop the activity and remove the toilet rolls.
Why Use Toilet Rolls for Dog Enrichment?
Dogs love sniffing around. Hiding food, finding treats and investigating new items can make playing with your dog more interesting.
Toilet rolls can be used to provide simple activities for your dog.
Here are some reasons why you may want to try this activity.
Encourages SniffingYour dog can use their nose to find hidden treats or kibble.
Provides Mental StimulationSimple hide and seek games provide your dog with a little challenge.
Can be Done with Household ItemsUsing clean toilet rolls means you can reuse items from around your home.
Easy to Set UpMost activities can be set up within a few minutes.
Can be TailoredStart with easy activities and make small changes as your dog learns.
These activities are not a substitute for walks, exercise or interaction with you. But they are a great way to provide extra variety.
1. Toilet Roll Hide and Seek
This is one of the easiest enrichment activities to set up. Simply hide a few treats inside a toilet roll tube and let your dog sniff them out.
A great starting point for dogs who haven’t had much experience with DIY puzzle games.
What You Will Need
- 2-4 Clean Toilet Rolls
- A few small dog treats or kibble
- Clear Floor Space
How to Play
- Take 1 toilet roll tube and ensure there are no staples, tape or rough edges.
- Place 1/2 small treats inside the tube.
- Place on the floor in front of your dog.
- Encourage your dog to sniff and investigate.
- Let your dog work out how to get the treats.
- Repeat with another toilet roll if your dog enjoys the game.
To start with partially hide the treats so your dog can easily understand what they’re doing.
Make It More Interesting
Once your dog understands what they’re doing place 2-3 prepared tubes on the floor. Only place treats inside 1 or 2 of them.
Let your dog use their nose to investigate which tubes have food inside.
Keep it simple so your dog can succeed.
2. Toilet Roll Treat Dispenser
Turn your toilet roll into a simple treat dispenser. Your dog will need to move or nudge the tube to get the food.
This provides a little more challenge than finding an exposed treat.
What You Will Need
- 1 Clean Toilet Roll
- A few pieces of dry kibble or small dog treats.
How to Play
- Choose a toilet roll tube with no damaged or sharp edges.
- Place a few pieces of kibble inside.
- Place on a non slip floor.
- Let your dog investigate.
- Encourage your dog to gently nudge the tube to get the food to come out.
- Give your dog time to work out how to get the treats.
To start with don’t put too much food inside. This will make it easier for your dog and prevent frustration.
Top Tip:
If your dog isn’t understanding the game place 1 piece of kibble near the hole. This can help them realise there’s food inside.
Avoid using this activity with dogs who instantly rip up the cardboard. Remove the toilet roll as soon as it gets damaged.
3. Toilet Roll Treasure Hunt
Dogs love following interesting scents. This simple treasure hunt uses a few cardboard tubes to hide small treats.
A great indoor activity to get your dog using their nose.
What You Will Need
- 3-5 Clean Toilet Rolls
- Small Dog Treats or Kibble
- A safe area with plenty of space.
How to Play
- Show your dog what they’re looking for by showing them a treat.
- Place a small treat inside 1 toilet roll.
- Place the prepared tube somewhere easy to find on the floor.
- Let your dog sniff around and find the treat.
- Praise your dog when they find the treat.
- Repeat using different safe areas.
Once your dog understands you can place several tubes around the room. Only place treats inside a few of them.
Start with easy hiding spots such as next to a chair or near a wall. Don’t place them somewhere your dog could get stuck, knock things over or reach something unsafe.
Make It More Challenging
Try to change where you hide the treats each time.
For example place 1 near a table leg and 1 next to a safe dog bed. Ensure they’re easy to reach and always supervise.
4. Toilet Roll Bowling Game
If your dog enjoys moving things around try this simple bowling game.
Instead of using balls and pins your dog can gently nudge the light toilet roll tubes.
What You Will Need
- 3-5 Clean Toilet Rolls
- A few small treats (optional)
- Open non slip floor.
How to Play
- Stand 3/4 tubes upright on the floor.
- Ensure there’s plenty of space between them so they’re easy to reach.
- Encourage your dog to investigate.
- Get your dog to gently nudge 1 of the tubes with their nose/paw.
- Let them fall over naturally.
- Praise your dog for being calm.
You can place a small treat next to 1 of the tubes to encourage your dog to go near them.
Safety Tips:
This is a simple game. Don’t encourage your dog to be too boisterous.
Don’t encourage jumping, aggressive pawing or chewing. If your dog gets too excited or starts eating the cardboard stop the game and remove the tubes.
5. Toilet Roll Snuffle
This game encourages your dog to use their nose to find hidden food. Using a few toilet rolls on the floor you can provide a basic snuffle game. A great way to provide variety to your dog’s indoor enrichment.
What You Will Need
- 4-6 Clean Toilet Rolls
- A small amount of your dog’s usual kibble.
- Clear non slip floor.
How to Play
- Place several toilet rolls on the floor. Ensure there is plenty of space between them.
- Place a small piece of kibble inside a few tubes.
- Leave the rest empty.
- Let your dog investigate.
- Encourage them to sniff each tube to find the food.
- Let your dog complete the game.
Start with 2/3 tubes if your dog hasn’t had much experience with sniffing games.
Top Tip:
Use your dog’s usual food to avoid giving them too many extra treats. You can also make it easier by partially hiding the food.
Always supervise your dog and remove the cardboard if they start chewing.
Safety Tips for Toilet Roll Dog Games
Although toilet rolls are an inexpensive item to use around the home they won’t be suitable for all dogs.
Some dogs will enjoy gently investigating the cardboard whereas others will instantly rip them up or attempt to eat them. Always choose games based on your dog’s behaviour.
Simple safety tips to follow:
- Only use clean empty rolls. Ensure they’re dry and haven’t been in contact with any cleaning products, chemicals etc.
- Remove any tubes with sharp, ripped or damaged edges.
- Never use tubes with staples, tape, glue or anything attached.
- Always supervise your dog whilst playing. Keep an eye on how they interact with the cardboard.
- Don’t allow your dog to eat the cardboard. If they start eating stop the game.
- Use small treats. Choose suitable treats or kibble and use small amounts.
- Ensure there’s plenty of space for your dog to move around. Don’t let them slip or knock things over.
- Keep the game short. Stop when your dog lose interest, get frustrated or become too excited.
- If your dog has a habit of eating non edible items avoid using any cardboard based games. Choose a safer enrichment activity.
How to Make the Games More Interesting
You don’t need to make the games complicated. A few simple changes can make the games more interesting.
Try:
- Changing the amount of tubes. Start with 2/3 tubes and increase the amount if your dog is comfortable with the game.
- Use different treats. Suitable pieces of your dog’s usual kibble or small dog treats. Remember to factor in treats for their daily food.
- Change where you hide the treats. Try hiding them in different easy to reach spots around a safe room.
- Start with easy challenges. Let your dog see where you’ve hidden the food and make it slightly harder.
Some dogs enjoy simple puzzles whilst others prefer easier games. Let your dog guide you.
You can also mix up the 5 games to provide variety.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to provide fun activities for your dog. Using a few clean empty toilet rolls can provide simple treat hide and seek, treat dispensers, treasure hunt and more.
These 5 fun dog games using toilet rolls are easy to set up and can provide variety for your dog. They’re a great way to provide a little extra mental stimulation using items from around your home.
Start with the simplest game, keep a close eye on your dog and choose games that are suitable for their behaviour.
Most importantly keep the games positive and safe. If your dog enjoys the game then it’s a great idea to include them in their indoor enrichment.
FAQ
1. Toilet Roll Safety
Clean empty toilet rolls can be used for supervised enrichment activities. If your dog does not chew or eat the cardboard then they can be used. Stop the game immediately if your dog starts ripping them up or eating them.
2. Can Puppies Play With Toilet Roll Games?
Some puppies may enjoy simple hide and seek games but they often like to chew items. Choose an age appropriate activity and keep a close eye on your puppy. Avoid using any cardboard based games if your puppy tries to eat them.
3. What Can I Put in the Toilet Roll?
Use small pieces of your dog’s usual kibble or suitable dog treats. Use small amounts and consider how much they usually eat per day.
4. How Long Should I Play these Enrichment Games?
Start with a short game and keep an eye on how your dog reacts. If they lose interest or get frustrated then there’s no need to continue.
5. Can I Use Paper Towels?
Yes you can use a clean empty paper towel. Just ensure they don’t have any staples, tape or damaged edges. They may be a bit bigger so some games may be easier or less interesting for smaller dogs. Keep a close eye on your dog.
6. My Dog Ate the Toilet Roll!
Stop the game and remove the remaining cardboard. If you think your dog has eaten any cardboard then contact your vet. If they have eaten a large amount or are showing signs of being unwell then contact your vet. Do not make your dog be sick unless instructed by a vet.
