You don’t always have to hand your dog food into a bowl. You can turn meal times into fun games which can encourage your dog to sniff, seek, problem solve and explore!
Kibble makes a great option for simple dog enrichment. You can use your dog’s daily food allowance to avoid needing to buy extra treats. You can use some household items to make simple enrichment games which will make your dog’s meals more interesting.
Whether you have a small apartment or a house, there are lots of ways to use kibble to enrich your dog.
This article will show you some simple ways to enrich your dog with kibble, how to introduce them safely and how to make meal times more enjoyable.
Why Enrich With Kibble?
Kibble can be a fun way to create an exciting routine for your dog. By hiding some kibble, your dog will be able to use their natural instincts.
Here are some reasons why you should try enriching with kibble.
Encourages Sniffing
Dogs use their nose to explore the world around them. By hiding small amounts of kibble you will encourage your dog to sniff around and seek.
It provides a fun seeking game.
Mental Stimulation
By encouraging your dog to seek, solve simple puzzles and figure out how to get the kibble, your dog will be kept mentally stimulated.
This means your dog will have something interesting to do.
More Interesting Meals
Some dogs can eat their meals very quickly. By turning some of their food into a game, it makes meal times more interactive.
Your dog will have to sniff around and seek their food.
Use Up Daily Food
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on extra treats or enrichment toys.
Using your dog’s usual kibble can make enrichment more cost effective. Just use some of their daily measured allowance.
Fun Indoor Game
Kibble games can be great on rainy days, lazy afternoons or simply to give your dog something to do indoors.
Many of the games require very little space so are perfect for apartments.
7 Simple Kibble Enrichment Games For Dogs
You can start with some simple games and gradually move onto more challenging ones. Ensure you pick a game that is appropriate for your dog’s size, age, chewing habits and experience.
1. Scattering On The Floor
Scattering kibble is one of the simplest ways to enrich your dog using their usual kibble.
Place a small amount of kibble on a clean and safe floor.
How To Play:
- Pick a clean area with no small items or unsafe items.
- Take a small amount of your dog’s usual kibble.
- Sprinkle the pieces of kibble on the floor making sure they are spaced out.
- Let your dog sniff around and find each piece.
- Add a little extra if they are enjoying the game.
Start with an easy seeking area. Once your dog understands the game you can spread the kibble out a little more.
2. Kibble In A Towel
A simple DIY puzzle can be made using a towel. This will encourage your dog to use their nose to figure out how to get the kibble.
How To Play:
- Lay a clean towel on the floor.
- Sprinkle a small amount of kibble onto the towel.
- Fold or loosely roll up the towel to hide some of the pieces.
- Place in front of your dog.
- Encourage your dog to sniff and seek.
Start off with a few loose folds. This will be easier for beginners.
3. Muffin Tin Puzzle
A muffin tin can be used to create a cheap DIY puzzle for your dog. This will provide a few small areas for your dog to seek.
How To Play:
- Take a clean muffin tin.
- Place a few pieces of kibble into a few of the cups.
- Leave some of the cups empty.
- Place on a stable and non-slip surface.
- Let your dog investigate and find the kibble.
Once your dog understands, you can cover some of the cups with clean, appropriately sized dog friendly toys.
Ensure the toys aren’t swallowable or get stuck in your dog’s mouth.
4. Hide Kibble Around The Room
This simple seeking game will make your dog’s room an interesting place.
Your dog will be able to use their nose to seek small amounts of their meal.
How To Play:
- Ask your dog to stay in a safe area or have someone gently occupy them.
- Put a few pieces of kibble in easy to find areas of one room.
- Place them in easily accessible areas e.g next to a chair or in a safe corner.
- Bring your dog into the room.
- Encourage them to seek.
Start with easy hiding spots. Once your dog gets the hang of it you can hide them a little more.
Don’t hide kibble near wires, cleaning products, house plants or anywhere your dog can’t safely reach.
5. Kibble In Cardboard Box
An empty cardboard box can be used to create a simple enrichment game. This will give your dog something new to investigate.
How To Play:
- Pick a clean cardboard box with no staples, tape or loose plastic.
- Make sure there are no sharp edges or damaged areas.
- Place a small amount of kibble inside.
- Leave the box open and place on the floor.
- Let your dog sniff and seek.
To make it more interesting you can add a few loosely crumpled plain pieces of paper (if your dog doesn’t chew or swallow paper).
6. Kibble In Snuffle Mat
Snuffle mats are designed to hide small amounts of food between the strips of fabric. This will encourage your dog to use their nose to find each piece.
How To Play:
- Place the snuffle mat on a flat and stable surface.
- Sprinkle your dog’s kibble onto the different sections of fabric.
- Gently hide some of the pieces between the fabric.
- Place the mat in front of your dog.
- Let them sniff and seek at their own pace.
This can be a useful option if your dog enjoys seeking.
Pick a snuffle mat that is appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing habits. Regularly check for any loose bits of fabric or damage.
7. Slow Feeder Puzzle
A good puzzle can make your dog’s usual meal more interactive. Your dog will have to move, roll or investigate to get the kibble.
How To Play:
- Pick a dog friendly puzzle.
- Read the instructions from the manufacturer.
- Place a small amount of your dog’s usual kibble into the puzzle.
- Demonstrate how the food comes out if needed.
- Let your dog investigate at their own pace.
Start with an easy puzzle so your dog understands how it works. If they are getting frustrated simplify the puzzle.
How To Introduce Kibble Enrichment
If your dog is used to eating from a bowl you may need to give them time to understand the games.
Follow these simple steps.
- Work out how much kibble your dog eats in a day.
- Take a small amount of their food.
- Start with an easy game e.g scattering or a simple towel game.
- Let your dog see and smell the kibble.
- Keep it short to let them investigate.
- Observe how they are acting. Are they interested, calm or frustrated?
- Gradually increase the difficulty by hiding the kibble in more places or using a different puzzle.
Some dogs will quickly understand the games whilst others may need more practise.
Tips For More Fun
A few simple changes can make your dog’s food games more interesting.
Alternate between different games. One day do a scattering game and the next a towel game.
Increase the difficulty. Start with visible kibble and gradually make it harder.
Move the game to a different clean area.
Don’t let the game go on for too long. Stop when your dog stops being interested or gets frustrated.
Pick games that are suitable for your dog. Think about their age, size, mobility and chewing habits.
Use their usual kibble. Often their usual kibble will be enough to start with.
Clean any reusable mats, puzzles and feeding items. Follow the care instructions.
The idea is to make meal times fun.
Common Mistakes
Although kibble enrichment can be simple there are a few things to avoid.
Too Much Food
Remember the kibble used in the games counts towards their daily food allowance.
Work out how much food they need in total and take some from their usual allowance. Don’t add extra.
Too Difficult
If your dog can’t find the food or solve the puzzle they may get frustrated.
Start with easy games and gradually increase the difficulty.
Leaving Your Dog Unattended
Some dogs may chew the towel, cardboard, fabric mat or puzzle.
Keep an eye on your dog and remove any items that get damaged.
Unsafe Household Items
Not all household items are suitable.
Avoid anything with sharp edges, small detachable items, loose strings, staples or anything your dog may swallow.
Not Considering Their Eating Habits
Some dogs may eat very quickly or swallow their food without much chewing. Some may struggle with certain puzzles.
Pick games that are suitable for your dog’s individual needs. If the game is causing them to chew or swallow unsafely stop using it.
FAQs
Can I use my dog’s usual kibble?
Yes! You can use your dog’s usual kibble for lots of simple enrichment games. You can scatter, use a towel game, snuffle mat or suitable puzzle.
Just use some of their usual daily allowance.
Is Kibble Enrichment Suitable For Puppies?
Many simple kibble games can be suitable for puppies. Make sure to pick games that are suitable for their age, size and ability.
Start with easy games, use appropriately sized food and items and keep an eye on them. Avoid using small items or puzzles that could pose a choking hazard.
How Often Should I Use Kibble?
You can use simple kibble games as part of your dog’s usual feeding. You don’t need to make every meal a complex game.
Try varying the games throughout the week. Keep an eye on how interested they are.
Can Kibble Enrichment Help Fast Eaters?
Some games and suitable slow feeders can encourage your dog to work for their food. However this depends on the individual dog. Pick a safe design that won’t frustrate them or encourage them to swallow.
Do I Need To Buy Special Enrichment Toys?
No! You can start with some simple games using suitable household items. A clean towel, strong cardboard box etc.
If you decide to purchase a snuffle mat or puzzle pick a durable one designed for dogs. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can I Use Kibble Enrichment In A Small Apartment?
Absolutely! Many kibble games can be done in a small space. A towel game, muffin tin puzzle or food hunt in a small room can all work.
Pick a safe area where your dog has enough space to move around without knocking things over or reaching dangerous items.
Final Thoughts
Kibble enrichment is an easy way to make your dog’s daily meals more interesting. Instead of feeding them all their meals in a bowl you can provide them with simple games to sniff, seek and solve small problems.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on toys or have a large space. Using a clean towel, muffin tin, cardboard box or a few hiding spots will turn their usual kibble into an enjoyable game.
Start with some simple games, use their usual food allowance and pick games that are suitable for their ability. Most importantly keep an eye on them to ensure all games are safe and enjoyable.
Simple changes to your dog’s feeding can provide more mental stimulation throughout the day.
Happy Paws, Happier Homes!
