These Toys Can Improve Your Dog’s Cognitive Abilities

All dogs are good dogs, can we just agree? Yet, even the dogs with the best behavior can have trouble pacing themselves as they eat.

If your pup tends to eat too quickly, is naughty at times or is a little on the nervous side, vets say that food-dispensing toys can be a good solution for both their tummies and brains. 

“Slow feeders are beneficial for both the mental and physical health of dogs,” Dr. Carly Fox, senior veterinarian with the emergency and critical care service at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City, told us.

“Daily use of puzzle toys can help stimulate a dog’s mind by challenging them to solve problems. This can help a dog’s cognitive abilities, including memory and patience.”

Dogs that frequently solve puzzles are often less bored and can have less anxiety, she said.

Dr. Lisa Chimes, an emergency veterinarian at Australia’s Small Animal Specialist Hospital and founder of pet care company Dog by Dr. Lisa, says these types of toys, also known as  “enrichment toys” or “boredom busters,” are meant to exercise your dog’s brain.

“Puzzle toys allow dogs to use their senses, particularly their super-powered nose, while also encouraging them to problem solve, which works the brain in a similar way to a human doing puzzles and quizzes,” Chimes told us. “Any activity that encourages dogs to use their sense of smell will provide them with environmental stimulation, learning and problem-solving opportunities.” 

Dr. Antonio DeMarco, chief medical and mentorship officer at GoodVets, noted that mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for dogs.

“Many bad behaviors that dogs develop come from boredom and lack of proper mental and physical stimulation,” DeMarco told us. “Feeder or puzzle toys are great at allowing them to use their brain to solve problems and [get] a reward.” 

All three experts agreed that feeder toys and puzzles can also be good options for dogs that eat too quickly, as the toys generally prevent choking, bloating, and overeating. (However, if your dog is in its golden years, dealing with dental issues, or struggles to eat enough, you may want to skip them.)