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Dog Enrichment Toy

August 3, 2015 by Arena Blake 17 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PetsLoveBeyond #CollectiveBias

 

Dog Enrichment Toy

Dog Enrichment Toys are a great way to help your pets keep their minds sharp as they get older.

Last year, we adopted a lab mix puppy. Petra was so cute and cuddly and quickly became part of our family. But one thing that surprised me was just how much energy our new puppy had.

And with puppies, energy that isn’t released in a productive way can spell bad news. We found out the hard way through lots of chewed up shoes, trash, and more.

She was bored!

It quickly became apparent that we needed to find an outlet for Petra that didn’t involve pestering our other dog, and older beagle who would prefer to sleep her days away.

So, I decided to try to make our own Dog Enrichment Toys. They can be anything that challenges your pet and helps them put their mental and physical abilities to use.

For Petra, we made a Dog Enrichment Toy to engage her while she eats.

Dog Enrichment Toy

Dog Enrichment Toy

 

Here’s what you need to make this Dog Enrichment Toy:

  1. 2 inch PVC pipe cut 12 inches long
  2. 2 inch PVC cap
  3. 2 inch threaded cap
  4. 1/2 inch drill bit
  5. 1/4 inch drill bit
  6. Purina® Beyond® Grain Free dry dog food

Pilot holes with the 1/4 inch drill bit, then drill them in with the 1/2 inch bit along the outside of your pipe. Fit the cap onto one end.

Fill the pipe with Purina® Beyond® Grain Free dry dog food and screw the other end shut with the threaded cap.

Dog Enrichment Toy

The holes are big enough for the food to fall out, but small enough that it won’t just pour from the pipe.
Dog Enrichment Toy Dog Enrichment Toy

As she rolls the pipe around the floor, she’s rewarded with pieces of food. It’s a great way for her to use her brain to solve the puzzle of getting the food out!

The fun part is when the food runs low — then she had to think of other ways to manipulate the pipe to get the last few morsels of food.

We started using Purina® Beyond® Grain Free dog food for this device this summer because she’s a full-grown adult now. It’s important to make good choices regarding dog food from the get-go, and we are big fans of Purina® Beyond®!
IMG_9461

I get our Purina® Beyond® Grain Free dog food at H-E-B. It’s on the dog food aisle! Right now, you can save with this coupon.

 

Filed Under: Crafts

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna Wood

    August 3, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    I love this idea and I think I’m going to make some for the local foster dogs! It’s great that you recognized your pups behavior was from lack of focus. #client

    Reply
  2. tracee

    August 10, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    I love the idea. Any idea how safe the pvc pipe is for dogs, particularly ones what are likely to gnaw pieces off of it? I know dogs need to be supervised, but even with supervision, bits get ingested. (Dogs are fast!) Thanks.

    Reply
  3. Sally

    August 18, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    I bet this would also work on dogs that gobble their food down it would slow eating but yet stimulate their brain too.

    Reply
  4. Carol

    December 16, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    I made mine with 1-1/2 inch pvc pipe, 6” in length
    (I bought an 18” pipe, and cut it in 3)
    I also drilled different sized holes. My 3 pugs go
    nuts over this interactive toy.

    Reply
  5. Leah Rosenthal

    December 24, 2018 at 9:12 am

    We adopted a rescue dog. She doesn’t seem to know how to play. Your creation seems like something that would catch his attention (likes food treats) and rolling the tube around may encourage play! Thanks for your great suggestion!

    Reply
  6. Kristina

    March 29, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    If pipe isn’t threaded why buy threaded caps? Are they hard to get on and off?

    Reply
  7. Ken Sharpe

    September 8, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    Isn’t PVC harmful if ingested?

    Reply
    • Stacey

      July 21, 2020 at 9:05 am

      Oh my gosh, I just saw this, even though it is old, I’m contacting Arena to ask her to update this post. PVC is dangerous for dogs not only because shards can come off and be ingested, but also PVC is toxic stuff. If dogs were just touching it maybe no big deal, but they are chewing, licking, etc. and the poison can leach out. It is a seemingly clever, but dangerous idea.

      Reply
  8. Margarette

    May 14, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    If some one needs to be updated with newest technologies
    afterward he must be pay a quick visit this site and be up to date daily.

    Reply
  9. Shayla

    May 28, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    Every weekend i used to visit this web page, because i want
    enjoyment, since this this web site conations genuinely good funny information too.

    Reply
  10. Alison

    September 22, 2023 at 1:41 pm

    PVC is extremely toxic. I wouldn’t recommend using it for anything!

    Reply
    • Jay

      January 1, 2024 at 5:14 pm

      With all due respect dogs are not to be left alone with a dog toy. If its made of PVC, I’d be pet owner conscious and aware and make an informed decision. When you feed and water a dog, where does the water they drink and the food they ingest originate? That’s right. Plastic pipes, bottles, containers and packaging all contain plastic. I think the enrichment toy benefits the dog more than the risks involved.

      Reply
  11. ivy michael

    June 14, 2024 at 4:35 am

    As an expert in pet behavior, I highly recommend dog enrichment toys to enhance mental stimulation and prevent boredom. Toys protection dogs like puzzle feeders or interactive balls engage dogs’ natural instincts and promote physical activity. They’re essential for a balanced, happy dog, enriching their daily routine and fostering a healthy bond with their owners.

    Reply
  12. carlos

    July 4, 2024 at 6:26 am

    A dog enrichment toy is designed to stimulate your pet’s mind and keep them entertained. Examples include puzzle toys, big dog shirtstreat-dispensing balls, and interactive games that challenge your dog to solve problems for rewards. These toys help reduce boredom, alleviate anxiety, and promote mental and physical activity, contributing to your dog’s overall well-being and happiness.

    Reply
  13. ZacharyDelta

    July 28, 2024 at 5:31 pm

    Wonderful post s’inscrire sur le site de Melbet! This article was full of great information and insights. Tennis matches can be unpredictable, which makes betting on them both exciting and challenging. For those who bet on tennis, how do you approach analyzing players and matches? What have you found to be the most reliable indicators for success?

    Reply
  14. Olivia

    August 1, 2024 at 4:19 am

    In an apartment or a private house, every dog ​​requires the attention of its owners. Proper nutrition, daily care and regular visits to the veterinarian will help the animal stay healthy and please its owners for a long time. On the poochamp website you can find a lot of valuable information about this. That is why it is important to know how to properly care for a dog so that the animal’s life is joyful and fulfilling.

    Reply
  15. Robbert

    February 12, 2025 at 11:56 am

    Keeping dogs mentally stimulated is just as important as physical exercise. I’ve tried different enrichment toys, and they truly help with engagement and reducing boredom. If you’re looking for great pet care options, click here to explore more. Investing in a dog’s well-being makes a huge difference in their happiness and behavior.

    Reply

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Arena is the wife of a Nerd and mom of a toddler who loves his Star Wars blankie a little too much. She shares parenting adventures, yummy recipes, and great photography on this Dallas mom blog. thenerdswife@gmail.com

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