Best Slow Feeder Enrichment Toys for Dogs
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When we bring home a dog, we commit to fulfilling their life, often by engaging their biological instincts through “canine enrichment.”
Canine enrichment is more than just a buzzword. It involves activities and experiences that stimulate your dog’s mind and body, enhancing their overall physical and mental wellbeing.
This blog post focuses on food-based enrichment, but there’s so much more to explore. Learn more about other types of enrichment enrichment in this blog post.
For expert guidance, explore my friend Tori’s canine enrichment mini-course! As a certified canine enrichment technician, she’ll teach you all about enrichment and how to bring more variety and stimulation to your dog’s life.
Now, without further ado, I give to you the best slow feeder enrichment toys for dogs!
Stuffable & Freezable Slow Feed Toys
Freezbone Freezbox
@charlottewithdogs Love love love the @Freezbone Freezbox!!! I will definitely be getting more. My personal favorite thing about it is its easy to clean 😂 #dogenrichment #dogenrichmenttoy #americanfoxhound #asmr #dogasmr ♬ original sound - Charlotte With Dogs
I love the Freezbox because it holds so much food (a full meal’s worth, for some dogs!). It is also very durable. One of my dogs is a toy destroyer, so durability is crucial for me!
I also really love how easy the Freezbox is to clean. Instead of a small hole for the dog to lick through, the Freezbox is wide open, making it so much easier to clean than most other enrichment toys!
WestPaw Toppl
The Toppl is another fan favorite for food enrichment toys. It’s super durable, easy to clean, and fits a good amount of food or treats.
To make the Toppl even more of a challenging puzzle, get two Toppls, one large or extra large, and the other the next size down. After filling the larger one (leave a little extra room), place the smaller one on top and twist them together.
Level up your Toppl game with a Toppl Stopper to block the hole in the toy. I usually fill the hole with a carrot or peanut butter to block it, but for more liquid treats that could ooze out while freezing, a Toppl Stopper is a better choice.
Freezbone Freezball
The Freezball is another great stuffable dog toy. It holds as much or more food than the Freezbox, but is still easy to clean. Just like other Freezbone toys, the rubber is durable enough to withstand most tough chewers.
Frozen stuffable toys like the Freezball not only slow down fast eaters, but they also help satisfy your dog’s instinct to chew.
Chewing can be a destructive behavior when a dog is bored or doesn’t have that instinct fulfilled. A frozen stuffable and chewable toy satisfies that instinct for many dogs and solves or improves destructive chewing behaviors.
Woof Pupsicle
The Pupsicle is a great stuffable doy toy because it lasts so long! The Pupsicle can be used on its own or with the Pupsicle treat tray to freeze several treats at once, all perfectly sized for the Pupsicle.
You can also DIY the Pupsicle by just putting the treats in it, but I think the lickable treats are what sets the Pupsicle apart from other stuffable enrichment toys.
If you are new to the Pupsicle, make sure you get the Starter Kit with both the Pupsicle and the treat tray!
KONG Stuffable Dog Toy
The KONG Classic is probably the best known stuffable dog toy. It’s certainly most ubiquitous, and possibly the oldest. Plenty of dogs enjoy just chewing on the toy, but it can also be stuffed with peanut butter, yogurt, a little kibble, or a variety of other treats!
The only thing I don’t love about the KONG is cleaning it. The small holes make it more difficult to clean than other options.
Pro tip: take it away as soon as your dog finishes and wash it right then and there. I’ve learned from experience that once those treats harden in there, you can’t ever get them out!
The KONG is very durable, but if you have a super destroyer, you might want to get a KONG Extreme instead.
Kibble Slow Feed Toys
Outward Hound Puzzle Feeders
I am a huge fan of Outward Hound puzzle feeders. These slow feeders come in different levels so your dog can work up from easy to very difficult puzzles.
Every puzzle is different, so having a rotation of Outward Hound puzzles can keep mealtime fun and fresh for your dog!
@charlottewithdogs He loved puzzle feeders so much throughout his life, but especially as he got older ☺️🥹 #dogenrichment #dogenrichmenttoy #dogenrichmentactivities #dogenrichmentgames #americanfoxhound #foxhound #seniordog #seniordogs #seniordogsrock ♬ Cute - Aurel Surya Lie
Engaging your dog’s critical thinking and puzzle solving skills can help reduce boredom and naughty behaviors. I especially love these puzzles for dogs who enjoy sniffing, rooting around, and using their paws.
Learn more about the Outward Hound puzzle toys by listening to this interview with creator Nina Ottosson on the With A Dog podcast.
KONG Wobbler
I am a big fan of the KONG Wobbler! Someone gave me a second hand one when I adopted my first dog over ten years ago, and it still works perfectly and is no worse for the wear!
One of the biggest benefits of the Wobbler is it holds a lot of food, so it’s a great enrichment feeder for larger dogs that eat a lot.
Wobbler is an apt description. This thing will wobble and roll! You’ll want to supervise your dog when playing with this because it will inevitably roll underneath your couch and your dog might need a little help getting it back.
For an added enrichment challenge, take the KONG Wobbler outside so your dog can play with it in the grass. It will become a slow feeder and a challenging snuffle scatter feeding to satisfy your dog’s natural foraging instinct!
Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball
The IQ Treat Ball is a fantastic food enrichment toy with adjustable inserts to extend the challenge for dogs who need longer-lasting enrichment.
By now, you know that easy cleaning is important to me when choosing a food enrichment toy! The IQ Treat Ball comes apart in several pieces that make it quick and easy to clean, as well as customizable for your dog.
At 4” diameter, the IQ Treat Ball is best for small and medium dogs. Large dogs should stick to the KONG Wobbler for a more size appropriate experience!
Lick Mat Slow Feed Toys
WestPaw Feast Mat
The WestPaw Feast Mat is a unique slow feed lick toy because it is two enrichment toys in one!
One side is a traditional lick mat to encourage self-soothing and emotional regulation through licking. The other side of the Feast Mat is a slow feeder that you can put kibble in.
Of course, you could also add water or another liquid to the slow feed side and put it in the freezer for a few hours to make it an extra engaging lick mat too!
Freezbone FreezPaw Mat & FreezSwirl
The FreezPaw Mat is an excellent choice for heavy chewers due to its durability. My Golden Retriever has destroyed less sturdy lick mats, so I’m a fan of both the FreezPaw Mat and the WestPaw Feast Mat.
The FreezPaw Mat is highly customizable, with sections for different treats or foods, adding taste enrichment for your dog. The grooves provide variety without making cleaning difficult, unlike traditional lick mats.
Freezbone also offers the FreezSwirl, a swirl-design lick mat that introduces a unique texture for added enrichment. The design is ideal for liquid treats, evenly filling the grooves.
The FreezSwirl may be slightly harder to clean than other Freezbone products, but fortunately, they are all dishwasher safe!
Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mat
Licking is a self-soothing behavior that helps dogs calm down, giving most dogs a positive association with licking—especially when enjoying something tasty on a Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mat!
Positive associations are perfect for counterconditioning, so the Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mat is great for helping dogs learn to like things that they may otherwise dislike.
A classic example of counterconditioning is giving your dog a Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mat during a thunderstorm, so they associate scary thunder with yummy treats and calming licking. Another example of pairing the lick mat with discomfort to build tolerance and a positive response is giving the dog a Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mat while they are learning to wear Rex Specs protective goggles
The Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mat’s unique texture adds mental stimulation and texture variety. However, the texture makes food harder to remove, and you will probably need a toothbrush to properly clean the lick mat.
It is also less durable than the Freezbone or WestPaw lick mats, so I don’t suggest it for more destructive dogs.
Lickimat Wobble
I think the Lickimat Wobble is such a cool design for a lick mat! Instead of a flat lick mat, the Lickimat Wobble is a bowl that can be used in the default concave design, or can be flipped inside out to serve to your dog in a convex shape. More shapes = more variety in enrichment!
The bowl shape of the Lickimat Wobble also encourages your dog to use their paws to stabilize it, adding even more variety to the experience.
You can do so many different lick treat options with the Lickimat Wobble. Serve it to your dog with peanut butter or another spreadable treat, or fill it up with a liquid treat like Honest Kitchen or Stella & Chewy’s beef bone broth.
As with the Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mat, this particular lick mat is better suited to less destructive dogs.
Lickimat Splash
I love the Lickimat Splash for counterconditioning! If your dog dislikes a certain activity *cough cough bath time cough cough*, you can suction the Lickimat Splash right to the wall/tub/window.
Using a Lickimat Splash while standing up provides your dog with some added challenge and variety in their lick enrichment. It’s also just a lot more convenient for activities like bathing and grooming when your dog needs to hold still while standing.
Outward Hound Lickin’ Layers
Another Outward Hound puzzle feeder! Lickin’ Layers combines Outward Hound’s signature puzzles with the enrichment benefits of licking. There’s over 100 little compartments for treats and kibble and multiple moving layers.
The Lickin’ Layers is a relatively easy puzzle, but you can combine it with spreadable treats or freezing kibbles in water or bone broth to lengthen feeding time and encourage licking.
I suggest steering clear of spreadable treats in the Lickin’ Layers just because that seems like it would be a major hassle to clean.
Snuffle Mat Slow Feed Toys
AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat
The AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat is the one I got for my Golden Retriever when she came home as a little puppy. Foraging and sniffing are natural, calming behaviors that work your dog’s brain. And my sweet Golden was a bit of a menace as a puppy, so I tried to work her brain frequently!
I love the AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat because it’s adjustable to fit your dog’s needs. Tightening the drawstring makes it smaller, increasing the challenge for finding kibble or treats!
Rundik Snuffle Mat
The Rundik Snuffle Mat is a little less portable, but just as challenging. The fabric pieces are thicker and closer together, adding more foraging enrichment to this snuffle mat.
I also really like the convenience of the suction cups on the Rundik Snuffle Mat! Dogs have a habit of moving their snuffle mats around as they forage. The suction cups attach to your floor to prevent that inconvenience and annoyance!
Vivifying Snuffle Mat
The cool thing about the Vivifying Snuffle Mat is all the different compartments for food! Each felt section has a different pattern, providing variety and encouraging your dog to get creative in how they search for the treats.
Another benefit of the variety in hiding spots is it forces your dog to eat more slowly. They’ll need to figure out how to sniff out their food in each section, meaning the Vivifying Snuffle Mat slows them down even more than a regular snuffle mat.
DIY Slow Feed Enrichment
Busy Box
Foraging through a busy box is a great enrichment activity for your sniffy dog! It provides different smells, textures, and challenges for your dog, and no two busy boxes are exactly the same. This is the most affordable enrichment toy you’ll ever have because it’s completely upcycled!
Simply grab a box from your recycling pile (Millennials, I know you have a ton of “I might need it someday” boxes laying around). Scatter some “free” food in the bottom of the box, then add the rest in a variety of dispensers.
Any recycling containers will work for a dispenser. Old toilet paper rolls? Put some kibble in there and tape up the ends. Kraft paper packaging? Perfect for wrapping around a handful of kibble. Yogurt containers, water bottles, dish towels — they all work great as treat dispensers.
Definitely make sure you supervise your dog while using the busy box. It’s usually wise to take the box away once they’ve finished eating all the treats.
To learn more about busy boxes, check out this Wear Wag Repeat blog post from my friend Tori. She’s a certified canine enrichment technician and has a wealth of information to share! You can learn more from Tori by enrolling in her canine enrichment mini-course.
Add Water to Your Dog’s Normal Bowl
Hydrating your dog’s dry kibble is a fun way to switch it up and slow down your speed eater!
Adding water to your dog’s bowl also has a myriad of health benefits. It keeps your dog hydrated and improves their digestion by allowing them to absorb more of the food’s nutrients.
For an even longer-lasting enrichment challenge (and one that promotes licking and a calm mental state), pop your dog’s hydrated kibble in the freezer for a couple hours.
Scatter Feeding & Food Searches
Try tossing kibble on the floor so your dog can only pick up a few pieces at a time. If you do this outside in the grass, it’s even a DIY snuffle mat!
Scatter feeding promotes sniffing and foraging, both of which are calming behaviors for dogs.
Food searches are also a great way to work your dog’s brain. Divide up your dog’s kibble into small containers (I like these meal prep bowls because they are multi-functional) and hide those containers around a room in your house. Let your dog in, and encourage them to “find it”.
Make sure you switch up where you put the bowls every time so food searches stay interesting and challenging for your dog!
Muffin Pan & Tennis Balls
For a homemade slow feeder, take any regular sized muffin pan and divide your dog’s food up into each of the cups. Add tennis balls or other toys to the cups to hide the food.
Your dog will have to nose the tennis balls out of the cups to get their food, slowing them down and giving them a challenge.
For an added challenge, try putting food in some cups and keeping others empty so your dog has to sniff out the ones with the food. Instead of just a slow feeder, it becomes a puzzle too!
Frequently Asked Questions About Canine Enrichment
Why use a slow feeder? What are the risks of a dog eating too fast?
There are a lot of risks of dogs eating too quickly! Especially for large dogs with deep chests, eating too quickly increases the risk of bloat. Bloat is an emergency.
Bloat involves the dog’s stomach filling with air and increasing pressure that prevents blood from returning to the heart. The stomach flips, which cuts off even more of the blood flow. To learn more about bloat, check out this page on the AKC’s website.
Do slow feeders mentally stimulate dogs?
Yes, but they shouldn’t be used as a dog’s only mental stimulation. Slow feeders don’t give as much of a mental workout as training, sports, hikes, and activities. Mental enrichment is about providing a little variety to a dog’s life, and while slow feeders introduce some variety, it’s not a ton, especially if you use the same slow feeder every day.
What should I put in my dog's slow feeder?
Anything edible! Make sure it is safe for dogs first. But if the food poses no health risks, you can stick it in there — and give your dogs some taste variety with each slow feed session!
I like to use solid foods like kibble and carrots, and add something semiliquid or liquid like yogurt, peanut butter, bone broth, or water to help it freeze nicely into a solid block for the dogs.
Do dogs get frustrated with slow feeders?
Yes, sometimes. Monitor your dog to make sure they aren’t getting too frustrated. If your dog is getting frustrated with their slow feeder, it is no longer a fun, positive activity for them. Take the slow feeder away or help your dog figure it out if they are showing signs of too much frustration.
Bonus: if you are helping your dog figure out a puzzle slow feeder, it becomes a bonding activity for you and your dog!
Do slow feeders tire dogs out?
It can help, but not usually. But like anything else, it depends on the dog! When my dog Starsky was a super senior, he got mental stimulation from puzzle feeders and really enjoyed them. They didn’t exhaust him, but they did tire him out a bit since he was getting so old.
Are slow feeders bad for dogs' teeth?
They are usually fine! If your dog has especially sensitive teeth or the slow feeder is made of an especially hard material, proceed carefully.
Will a slow feeder help my dog lose weight?
Not on its own, but it can help. Just like in humans, eating slowly helps a dog feel fuller. You can also decrease your dog’s calories by decreasing their food portion size and supplementing with low calories veggies, which fit great in slow feeders!
