The Benefits of Using Interactive Dog Toys to Keep Your Dog Mentally Stimulated

Did you know that you can enrich your canine’s life with the simple addition of interactive dog toys? 

Keeping your pup’s mind and body stimulated with fun games and puzzles helps your dog stay occupied, healthy and happy.

Read this article on the best interactive dog toys and their benefits, and give your dog something to really stick its teeth into. 

Why do dogs need interactive toys?

Like humans, dogs are susceptible to falling into slumps when they’re not feeling inspired or anxious and stressed.

Giving your dog fun challenges to work through can boost your pet’s mood and promote a much better quality of life.

Examples of Interactive Dog Toys

Some of the best interactive dog toys include the following:

• Treat Ball or Treat Dispensers 
• Hide and Seek Toys 
• Ball Launchers 
• Puzzle Toys

Encourage your dog with tasty treats.

Don’t forget to reward your pup with high praise, lots of tummy rubs and mouthwatering Doodlebone® Nuri Soft Bites to reinforce their intelligent and inquisitive behaviour!

There are three bestselling flavours to choose from; Brilliant Beef, Delishy Duck, and Super Salmon. 

Fill up your pup's interactive toys with these small snacks, so you can reward them as they take on fun, stimulating tasks. 

Using interactive dog toys for mental stimulation:

1. Strengthen your dog’s mental capacity. 

Taking on regular challenges increases your dog’s intelligence and perseverance. Brain training can even prevent health conditions like dementia.

Use toys that engage your dog’s senses, such as squeaky toys, hide-and-seek games and sniffing activities, to exercise their ancestral instincts of hunting and herding.

2. Relieve stress and anxiety. 

Many dogs require a lot of physical activity; otherwise, they become agitated and frustrated. This stress and pent-up anxiety may release in negative ways, such as excessive barking and naughty behaviour.

Giving your pup missions to complete is an excellent way to supplement their daily exercise - keeping them out of trouble and their stress at bay. 

You may find that your dog is so focused that they block out distractions, like noisy doorbells or passersby, that usually trigger a reaction and raises their stress levels.

3. Slow down your dog’s eating. 

Chomping down on food too fast can lead to your pup choking or being sick, particularly if they’re not stopping to chew each mouthful carefully. To avoid any accidents, we suggest encouraging your dog to forage for its food.

An interactive slow-feed bowl or a Snuffle Mat is a creative way to slow down their consumption and provide your doggie with plenty of well-deserved treats.

Place their food into the device or mat, and watch as they sniff and scratch to figure out how to get to their favourite snacks.

4. Increase your dog’s exercise and physical movement. 

Most interactive dog toys require your pet to chase or move to catch something - for instance, some ball launchers can hurl balls up to 30 metres!

With all of this active play, your pup gets extra exercise and is much less likely to develop issues such as arthritis, obesity, and behavioural problems in the short and long term.

Of course, these dog toys shouldn’t completely replace walkies, but they’re a valuable way to boost your dog’s essential daily activity.

5. Help your dog to combat boredom.

Aside from all their health benefits, interactive toys are also a fantastic way to offer your furry friend some good old-fashioned fun. 

Plus, many interactive dog toys don’t require human participation, which is ideal for busy pet parents aiming to raise independent pups.

High-energy dogs enjoy physically engaging toys, while relaxed and contemplative dogs will likely prefer puzzle toys that require more patience and concentration.

With so many options to choose from, there’s something to keep every dog entertained and occupied, no matter their personality type! 

Doodlebone® is the place to be for all your canine needs. Find fashionable dog accessories, from leads to collars, or cosy extras to add a touch of luxury to your pet’s life, such as our fleece and faux fur blankets. 

For more information or answers to any questions, reach out to us via our online contact form, email orders@doodlebone.co.uk or call us directly on 01295 698072.