Tossing a cup of food into your dog’s bowl each day may seem like the easiest way to feed but it isn’t doing you any favors!

Using a dog bowl is actually forfeiting an amazing enrichment opportunity. Think back to the last time you visited a zoo or wildlife sanctuary. Animals in captivity are almost never fed from a bowl. They are fed through some form of enrichment-based slow feeding option to mimic the process of hunting/foraging in the wild. 

Why how you feed your dog matters

While dogs are “domesticated” they are still animals living in captivity. Providing enrichment (training, walks, play time) is time-consuming and we are all busy with day-to-day life tasks. You can meet your dog’s needs with easy-to-implement daily enrichment through the meals they are going to eat anyway. 

Ditching the dog bowl is most important for dogs with anxiety, puppies, high energy breeds, and fearful dogs. Even if your dog doesn’t fall into one of these categories, I highly recommend retiring your dog’s food dish and switching to these feeding methods instead. 

Even for senior dogs who don’t have high energy, studies show that providing daily enrichment reduces cognitive decline. 

Here’s how to do it.

Trainer recommended feeding methods: 

Toppl – choose the right size for your dog

How it works: Add a bit of water, made-for-dogs bone broth, or wet food to your dog’s kibble and stuff it into the Toppl. Feed at room temp for a few days. When your dog is confident and interested in the Toppl at room temp, begin providing it frozen to increase enrichment time. 

Why I like it: 

• Teaches pups to be curious and confident
• Takes time and energy to dispense their food 
• Can be used with kibble only (but I recommend adding wet food for best results)
• Licking is a naturally calming behavior that can reduce stress

Kong Wobbler (not a “Kong”!) 

How it works: Great for dogs who love their kibble! Your dog/pup will swat at and interact with the Wobbler to dispense kibbles one by one. This is NOT a classic “kong” and you can’t just use a classic Kong in place of this feeder. This item is plastic and weighted at the bottom.

Check out my dog June working on the Kong Wobbler here!

Why I like it: 

• Teaches confidence and curiosity
• Takes time and energy to dispense their food 
• Inexpensive
• Can be used with kibble only

Slow Feeder But make it really slow

How it works: Smear wet food and kibble into the grooves and freeze, or feed at room temperature. Note that feeding kibble alone from a slow feeder is not a good feeding option, it just isn’t challenging enough and may add just 30 seconds to your dog’s feeding routine. 

Why I like it: 

• Takes time and energy to dispense their food 
• Inexpensive
• Licking is a naturally calming behavior that can reduce stress

Looking for more ideas? Search #ditchthebowl or #dogenrichment on Instagram and you’ll see even more options! 

Examples of enrichment feeding at zoos/sanctuaries: 

Wolf Enrichment

Giraffe slow feeder

Coati ice block feeding enrichment

Lincoln Zoo enrichment feeding program