You can provide some great enrichment activities to stimulate your dog without spending a lot!
Create a simple enrichment kit from a few household items, some regular dog food and your dog’s favourite toy.
A DIY enrichment kit means you can provide a range of activities to get your dog to sniff, search, solve and play. This can be really helpful for dogs in apartments to give them some activities to keep them busy whilst they’re indoors more.
In this article we’ll look at what to include in your low-cost enrichment kit, how to set it up and how to play with it.
What Is a Dog Enrichment Kit?
An enrichment kit is a small range of safe items that can be used to provide a variety of activities for your dog.
Rather than buying a few expensive toys you can create a simple range of items to play games with your dog to help them use their senses.
A basic enrichment kit could contain:
- Clean towel
- A few cardboard boxes
- An appropriate dog toy
- Some regular dog kibble or small treats
- An appropriate food container or puzzle toy
These can be placed in a small box/basket.
The idea is to have a few useful items ready to go.
What Will You Need?
You can create an useful enrichment kit without spending much. Have a look around your home as you may have most of the items.
Here is a simple list of what you could include.
1. Clean Towel
A towel can be one of the most useful items to include in your enrichment kit.
Create a simple sniffing game by placing a few pieces of kibble into loose folds.
To play:
Place a clean towel on a flat surface. Sprinkle a few pieces of kibble onto the towel. Fold the towel or loosely roll it up. Encourage your dog to sniff the towel and find the food.
Start with loose folds to make it easier for your dog to find the food.
Always supervise your dog during this activity. Remove the towel if your dog starts to chew it.
2. Cardboard Boxes
Clean cardboard boxes can provide a variety of enrichment activities.
Use a small delivery box, empty food box or any other appropriate box.
To play:
Ensure there is no tape, staples, labels or sharp edges. Place a few pieces of kibble into the box. If appropriate for your dog add some loose plain crumpled paper. Place the box on the floor and encourage your dog to search.
You can also place a smaller open box inside a larger box to create a simple search game.
Ensure the box is cardboard only if your dog doesn’t try to eat it. Always supervise your dog during this activity and remove the items.
3. Regular Dog Kibble
There is no need to spend extra on special enrichment treats.
Many simple games can be played using your dog’s regular food.
Try playing:
- Treat hunt using kibble
- Sniff game using the towel
- Which hand?
- Treasure hunt using the cardboard boxes
- Simple training session
Ensure you include food rewards and treats in your dog’s daily food allowance.
4. Favourite Dog Toy
Pick an appropriate toy that your dog already enjoys.
This can be used to play many games including hide and seek.
Show your dog the toy and ask them to wait whilst you hide it somewhere easy to find.
Give them a cue such as ‘Find it!’ and reward them when they find the toy.
Ensure the toy isn’t damaged and is suitable for your dog’s size and chewing.
5. Appropriate Food Container
If you already have an appropriate food puzzle or slow feeder then this can be included in your enrichment kit.
This can make mealtimes more interesting by encouraging your dog to work for some of their regular food.
If you don’t have one then pick a clean strong container that is appropriate for your dog’s size and won’t break into dangerous pieces.
Avoid any containers with sharp edges, loose parts or anything your dog could chew and swallow.
Example Budget
Here is an example of how to create a simple enrichment kit under $10.
| Item | Suggested Cost |
|---|---|
| Clean towel (Home) | $0 |
| Cardboard boxes (Home) | $0 |
| Regular dog kibble | Part of daily food budget |
| Favourite dog toy (Already own) | $0 |
| Appropriate food container (Already own) | $0 |
| Extra items from home (Optional) | Up to $10 |
| Total Extra to Spend | Up to $10 |
This will keep the cost low by using items you already have.
Prices will depend on what you already have and what you decide to buy. However, you don’t need to spend the full $10 and can create a useful enrichment kit.
How to Set Up
Once you have gathered your items you can easily set up your enrichment kit.
1. Pick a Storage Box
Get a small box, basket or container to store your items in.
Ensure it is easy to clean and will fit all your items including your towel, cardboard items and toys.
2. Ensure All Items are Clean and Suitable
Ensure all items are clean and suitable for your dog.
Remove any damaged toys, sharp edges, loose parts and anything your dog could swallow.
Avoid including anything that isn’t safe for your dog to chew.
3. Group Similar Items
Group similar items together so you can easily pick an activity to play.
For example:
- Sniff game – Towel + Kibble
- Search game – Cardboard + Kibble
- Toy game – Favourite Toy
- Food – Appropriate Food Container + Regular Meals
4. Store in an Easy to Access Area
Store your enrichment kit so it is easy to access.
You can pull it out for a quick game, during an appropriate break or if the weather is bad outside.
Ensure food and small items are stored safely out of reach whilst not in use.
5 Simple Games to Play
Once your enrichment kit is set up you can play a variety of simple games with your dog.
1. Towel Sniff Game
This is a simple game to encourage your dog to use their nose.
Lay a clean towel down. Sprinkle a few pieces of kibble onto the towel. Add some loose folds. Encourage your dog to sniff and find the food.
Keep the folds loose to make it easy for your dog. Always supervise and remove the towel if your dog starts to chew.
2. Cardboard Treasure Hunt
Create a simple search game using a clean cardboard box.
Ensure you have an appropriate cardboard box. Remove any tape, staples or labels. Place a few pieces of kibble into the box. If appropriate add some loose plain paper. Encourage your dog to search.
Let your dog search at their own pace. Remove the box if they start to eat the cardboard or paper.
3. Find My Favourite Toy
This is a game to encourage your dog to use their nose to find a familiar item.
Show your dog their favourite toy. Let them sniff it. Ask them to wait whilst you hide it somewhere easy to reach. Give them a cue such as ‘Find it!’. Reward them when they find it.
Start with obvious places to hide the toy.
4. Which Hand?
All you will need is a small amount of kibble or appropriate treat.
Show your dog the food. Hide it in one hand. Clench both hands and show them to your dog. Encourage them to sniff each hand. When they pick the correct hand open it to reveal the food.
Repeat a few times switching hands.
5. Simple Food Search
This is an easy game to set up.
Pick a clean non-slip surface. Take a small amount of your dog’s regular kibble. Sprinkle the pieces around the surface. Encourage your dog to search for their food. Let them finish at their own pace.
Ensure the area is safe and nothing they could accidentally swallow.
Top Tips
A small range of items can provide lots of variety.
Top tips:
- Rotate games – Don’t play the same game every day. Play a towel game one day and cardboard search another.
- Keep it simple – Keep the game simple for your dog to understand. Gradually increase the difficulty.
- Use regular food – Use some of your dog’s regular kibble. Don’t add too many extra treats.
- Keep it short – A few minutes of focused play can be enough.
- Know your dog – Some dogs like to sniff whereas others like to find toys. Some may enjoy learning simple behaviours.
- Supervise homemade games – Always supervise your dog during games using towels, cardboard or other items from home.
- Give them a break – Dogs need lots of rest between activities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though it is a budget friendly enrichment kit it still needs to be safe and appropriate for your dog.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Too Many Items
You don’t need lots of toys or items. A few simple items can provide a variety of activities.
Start with what you already have.
Too Difficult
If your dog can’t figure out how to find the food or toy then make it easier.
Start with easy hiding spots and make small changes.
Inappropriate Household Items
Not all items from around the house will be appropriate.
Avoid items with sharp edges, small detachable items, toxic items or anything your dog could swallow.
Not Supervising
Some dogs may chew the towels, cardboard or other items.
Always supervise and remove the items once the game is finished.
Not Exercising
An enrichment kit should not replace walks, appropriate exercise or socialisation.
Ensure your dog has enough rest.
FAQs
1. Can I create an enrichment kit under $10?
Yes! You can create a simple enrichment kit using items from around the home. A clean towel, cardboard boxes, regular kibble and favourite toy. If you have these items you may not need to spend anything.
2. What should I include in my DIY enrichment kit?
Start with a clean towel, appropriate cardboard boxes, your dog’s regular food and favourite toy. You can also include an appropriate food puzzle/food container if you have one.
3. Are DIY enrichment Games Safe?
As long as you use the right items and supervise your dog they can be a good option. Avoid items with sharp edges, small items and anything your dog could swallow. Stop the activity if your dog starts to chew/eat the items.
4. How often should I use an enrichment kit?
You can use an enrichment kit regularly. Rotate through the games. A few short games can be played throughout the day.
5. Is a DIY Enrichment Kit Suitable for dogs in apartments?
Yes! Many of the games can be played in a small space. Sniff games, food searches and toy searches can all be useful.
6. Do I Need Special Treats for Dog Enrichment Games?
No! Many activities can be played using your dog’s regular kibble. Remember to include any food rewards and extra treats in their daily food allowance.
Final Thoughts
Creating an enrichment kit under $10 is an easy way to provide more variety and stimulation for your dog at home.
A clean towel, a few cardboard boxes, regular kibble and favourite toy can be enough to play a variety of fun games indoors.
Start with simple games, supervise and tailor each game to your dog. Gradually introduce new ideas. Most importantly, it should be fun! A few simple games along with appropriate walks, exercise and lots of rest can help make your dog’s day more interesting.
Happy Paws, Happier Homes!
