Enrichment Exercise is so important for your dog’s health.
While a trip to the park or a walk around the block are both great forms of physical exercise for your dog, we often forget that it’s not just their bodies that need exercise.
It’s important we provide our FBF’s with mental stimulation to exercise their brain and improve their wellbeing. Without mental stimulation, your pup may become bored which can lead to a slew of behavioral issues.
Enrichment toys and puzzles have become more and more popular to improve your dog’s confidence and problem-solving skills. But most of all, it’s FUN & YUM!
SO, how can you incorporate healthy enrichment habits into your dog’s routine? Here is our step-by-step guide to enrichment courtesy of our favorite products on Amazon.
- Start with a base:
You’ll need a durable and freezer-safe toy to build your enrichment ingredients on top of.
Our favorites are the WEST PAW Toppl Treat Toy or a Lick Mat. The silicone/rubber provides a sturdy base with crevices for your topper enrichment ingredients.
If you’d rather try this activity, before investing in an enrichment toy, a great alternative is to stuff your ingredients in a muffin tin or baking mold.
- Add a base wet ingredient:
To fill or smear your enrichment toy, start with a wet base ingredient.! We love to opt for plain yogurt like Kefir or Goat Milk Powder (just mix with water) for some added calcium and protein in their diet. You can also add some organic pumpkin puree or applesauce if you want to get fancy with it.
- Add Fruit/Vegetable toppings:
To increase the difficulty of this exercise, add in some fruits and vegetables of different shapes & sizes. Some great, dog-safe options are carrots, celery, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, apples, bananas, cucumbers, pineapple, cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries, or kiwi.
- Add your multivitamin on top:
Top with YUP PUP’s all-in-one multivitamin to relieve anxiety, promote joint health, ease digestion and promote your dog’s overall wellness.
- Freeze & serve
Pop your toy in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to increase the difficulty of the puzzle and let your pup have at it!
Just 15 minutes of enrichment activity is equal to 30 minutes of physical exercise.