Boredom Busters

ByKim Leary

Training tip: Give them something to do while you are gone or busy!

A go-to for boredom-busting enrichment toys is the Kong toy which can be stuffed with wet food, soaked kibble, or treats.

You’ve likely heard of Kongs, but did you know there are different types including for cats?

Here’s what the different colors of Kongs mean:

  • Purple: Cats
  • Purple: Seniors – softer for older dogs
  • Black: Extreme –If your dog is a heavy chewer (pit mixes we’re looking at you!), this may be your go to.
  • Red: Classic
  • Pink or Light Blue: Puppy – Softer for puppy teeth – Puppy
  • Gold: The classic Kong in the company’s 50th Anniversary

What do you put in the Kong? If you visit the Kong website, there are so many fun recipes.

What if your dog or cat isn’t interested in the Kong or other food puzzle toys? Don’t give up! Many animals will not be interested in the toy the first time. Teach them how to enjoy the toy and help them practice enjoying food puzzles!

I’ve have worked with a lot of animals who initially were not very interested in toys, but once they relaxed and learned more about toys and were slowly introduced to them, they became absolute fiends for Kongs and other types of toys!

Follow these steps. Don’t rush the process. You might do one step a day or two steps spaced out (once in the morning, once at night for example).

  • Start with a little bit of something soft and yummy on the outside of the toy they can lick.
  • Place a little soft treat around the edge of the hole.
  • Place a spoonful of something soft just on the edge.
  • Place some small treats that will easily fall out of the toy inside the toy.
  • Fill the toy with something unusually yummy.
  • Fill the toy with the animals’ wet food.
  • Stuff the toy with the animals’ wet food and kibble.
  • Advanced level – stuff the toy with wet food and kibble and freeze the toy for a long-lasting treat.

Use the “treat ladder”. Offer the most enticing goodies to start and work up to feeding your animal their meal in the puzzle once they really enjoy the toy.

Treat Ladder for Dogs

  • Soft spreadable (peanut butter, cream cheese)
  • Soft spreadable wet food (something they don’t always get)
  • Soft spreadable (pumpkin, applesauce)
  • Training treats (freeze-dried chicken, Zuke’s etc.)
  • Hard treats (biscuits like Wet Noses)
  • Wet food they get at meals
  • Wet food + Kibble
  • Wet food + Kibble frozen! Add some peanut butter on top to plug the hole.

Treat Ladder for Cats

  • Soft spreadable (Churu or similar)
  • Soft spreadable wet food (something they don’t always get-Tiki Cat or Friskies for example)
  • Training treats (freeze-dried chicken, Bonito flakes)
  • Hard treats (Temptations or similar)
  • Wet food they get at meals (their usual food)
  • Wet food + Kibble (their usual food)

Other food puzzle toys:

  • WestPaw Toppl – easier to get into (and to clean) than a Kong, good for dogs who are newer to toys
  • Goughnut brand – very tough for heavy chewers!
  • Playology brand – scented toys for blind pups.
  • SodaPup brand – fancy and cute lick mats and puzzle feeders
  • Foodpuzzlesforcats.com – DIY suggestions
  • DIY enrichment –check out Shay Kelley’s Facebook group for inspiration! Toilet paper rolls, wrapping paper, and boxes can be turned into fun activity feeders and puzzles for dogs and cats.

Learn more about enrichment activities:

Canine Enrichment for the Real World – Dogwise

Canine Enrichment by Shay Kelley Shay Kelly – For the dogs

Feline Enrichment Feline DIY Enrichment | ASPCA

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