Too Darn Hot: Fun, Easy Indoor Activities for All Dogs, Part III
Food Dispensing Toys
Get up, go out, come in, sleep, get up, go out, come in, sleep – that can be the rhythm of many a summer dog. And this can, let’s face it, be a pretty boring rhythm. But what can you do? It can be too hot to take them out for a long walk, and a ride in the car is a hazard this time of year.
How about adding some challenge into their home life? Instead of meals being a minute or two at a bowl (or if you have a dog like my mixed breed, Pip, 30 seconds or less at a bowl) why not change things up? The two toys below are sturdy, safe ways to help your dog linger over their meals adding some interest and problem solving to their day.
Twist and Treat (Medium)
This is a favorite because I can just twist it open and wash it out. Easy! Too many other food toys are simple to load but impossible to clean out, and if the food inside gets wet (slurpy dog or rain outside), good luck getting it truly clean. And while I am hardly someone anyone would deem “fastidious,” the idea of my dog playing with some moldy old icky food-filled toy is not my idea of recreation, so I celebrated when Premier brought out this goodie. Comes in a range of sizes, the link above happens to be to a “medium”.
Hint: Use kibble. If you use peanut butter or such, the dog can lick at it and learn to unscrew it.
Large Kong Classic
The Kong remains one of the classic food dispensing toys that can be used in a variety of ways. Try stuffing it with a kibble/yogurt (or wet food) mixture then freezing that for meal-replacing, long-lasting pup-sicles or smearing the inside with a little peanut butter or cream cheese for lickable fun.
This toy comes in a range of sizes and toughness (all of which are available on Amazon – just search: Kong Dog Toy). The sizes are puppy (blue and white/pink and white swirls), classic (red) and extra durable (black). Red is a good place to start with adult dogs unless you have a dog who you know is a serious chewer. And, as with any toy, supervise your dog at first to see if the one you selected holds up.
Kongs are also easy to clean; rinse well or pop in the dishwasher when you’re doing the dog bowls,
Hint: Kibble drops right out of these so best for wetter treats or for soaking kibble and then freezing. If you do that, treat it like a Thanksgiving turkey, don’t pack the stuffing in as things expand when they freeze.
And there you have it - safe, indoor summer fun. If you have any questions, come ask me at the My Smart Puppy message board (friendly, moderated and flame-free). Enjoy!
--Sarah Wilson, MySmartPuppy.com
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Sarah Wilson is a pet behavior specialist, author, media personality, and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Brenda on July 28, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Thanks for the great reminder! We love our Kongs around here and can never have too many. :) I tend to treat with these...and forget that meal time can be more fun when presented this way.
Sarah Wilson on July 29, 2008 at 06:48 AM
Hi Brenda -
Glad you enjoyed the blog. Treating with them is great, as well. I do the same, esp. to keep the younger dogs occupied in their crates.
Seems like we are having a monsoon season here in NH when it pours down buckets with huge electrical storm backup on a near daily basis. We're all inside for those events and Kongs sure do help them pass the time.
Now, if only Kong could invent something that much fun for people!
Best -
Sarah