8 Ways to Use Gently-Cooked Food for Dog Enrichment

Who said playing with your food is bad? When it comes to providing fun and games for your pup, playing with food should actually be encouraged.

This type of play falls into the enrichment category and is essential for keeping your dog mentally stimulated, physically active, and overall happy. Gently-cooked foods, with their high-quality ingredients and appealing flavors, can be a fantastic tool for enrichment. Here are some creative ways to use gently-cooked foods to engage your dog:

  1. Lick Mats
    Lick mats are a great way to slow down your dog’s eating and provide mental stimulation. Spread your dog’s favorite gently-cooked food on the mat. You can also add a splash of chicken or bone broth to make it more enticing and increase the difficulty level.
  2. Slow Feeders
    Slow feeders are designed to make your dog work a bit harder for their food, preventing them from eating their meal so fast. This can also improve their digestion. Here’s what to do: Fill the slow feeder with gently-cooked food to turn mealtime into a fun and engaging activity. You can also add bone broth and freeze it to increase the challenge.
  3. Food Toys
    Interactive food toys, like Kong or puzzle feeders, can be filled with gently cooked food to keep your dog entertained. These toys encourage problem solving and can help reduce boredom and anxiety.
  4. Squeeze Tubes for Training
    Using a squeeze tube filled with gently-cooked food can be a high-value reward during training sessions. If the food is too chunky, you can blend it for easier use. It’s easy to carry and allows you to give your dog a quick, tasty reward for good behaviour.
  5. Scent Detection Games
    Hide small amounts of gently cooked food around the house or yard and let your dog use their nose to find it. This game taps into their natural foraging instincts and provides excellent mental stimulation.
  6. Frozen Treats
    Make frozen treats by mixing gently cooked food with a bit of water or broth and freezing it in ice cube trays. These treats are perfect for hot days and can keep your dog occupied for a while. Check out this blog post on ways to keep your pup cool in the summer heat for more info!
  7. Stuffed Chews
    Fill hollow chews with gently cooked food and freeze them. This provides a long-lasting chew that can help keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated.
  8. DIY Food Puzzles
    Create your own food puzzles using household items. For example, place gently cooked food in a muffin tin and cover each section with a tennis ball. Your dog will have to figure out how to remove the balls to get to the food.

Using gently cooked foods as enrichment tools can enhance your dog’s daily life by providing mental stimulation, physical activity, and delicious rewards. Whether you’re using a lick mat, slow feeder, or engaging in scent detection games, these creative methods can help keep your dog happy and healthy. Always supervise your dog during enrichment activities to ensure their safety and enjoyment, and most importantly, have fun!

Not sure where to start? Check out Tom&Sawyer’s 9 complete and balanced gently-cooked recipes, plus healthy chicken and beef bone broths, and kickstart your dog’s enrichment journey today. www.tomandsawyer.com

Find Tom&Sawyer at your local pet store.

Article by: Hannah Godfrey |Animal Nutritionist, Tom&Sawyer | BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition

Photos Provided by Tom&Sawyer