Food dispensing toys are an excellent way to provide mental stimulation for dogs and enrichment for your dog. This guide will help you choose safe dog food options for both wet and dry dog enrichment toys.
Always consult your veterinarian if you have questions about your dog's diet, especially if they have known allergies or sensitivities.
When introducing new foods, start with only a small amount even if not allergic, as dogs are sensitive to dietary changes and high-value foods tend to cause gastrointestinal upset at first.
Some dog enrichment toys are designed only for dry treats or kibble and are NOT suitable for wet treats or pastes. Always check the manufacturer's instructions.
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Canned pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling, excellent for dogs with loose stools)
Sweet potato or yam (cooked & mashed)
Vegetable purees (carrot, green bean, etc.)
Low sugar fruit purees (apple, pear, strawberry, etc.)
Whole fruits & veggies (berries, except strawberries, apples, cucumber, frozen peas, carrots)
Mashed banana
Cooked rice (white, brown, wild)
Quinoa
Cream of wheat
Oatmeal
Meat-based baby food (ensure no harmful ingredients like onion, garlic, grapes, chocolate, or artificial sweeteners)
Pate, liver paste, or liverwurst (use sparingly due to high potency)
Egg (may cause sulfuric gas in some dogs)
Ground meats (hamburger, turkey, etc. - boil to reduce fat content)
Cooked or canned fish (tuna, sardines; be mindful of Mercury content)
Plain nonfat goat’s milk yogurt or kefir
Coconut oil (use sparingly to avoid digestive upset)
Nut butters (peanut, almond, safflower, sunflower - NO macadamia and MUST be xylitol-free)
Canned premium puppy or dog food (same brand as their regular food is best)
Moistened or soaked kibble (in water, bone broth or sodium-free broth)
Tip: Refrigerate or freeze stuffed toys to make them last longer and provide additional challenges. If your pup refuses to engage with it frozen, don’t give up! Let Homeschool Support know, we can help you make it easier.
Regular kibble (can be their daily meal portion)
Small training treats
Freeze-dried meat treats (broken into smaller pieces if necessary)
Dehydrated fruits or vegetables (safe dog food options only)
Cheerios or other low-sugar cereals
Air-popped popcorn (unsalted, unbuttered)
Broken pieces of dog biscuits
Commercial dental chews (great for plugging off the hole)
Small cubes of low-fat cheese
Sweet Potato “jerky”
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Remember to adjust your dog's daily food intake to account for calories from training treats, stuffed toys, and chewies. A good rule of thumb is that treats should not exceed 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake.
For added difficulty with dry food dispensers:
Mix in larger pieces that partially block the opening, creating a "puppy piñata" effect
Combine treats of different value for varied rewards
Slightly dampen kibble to make it stick together
Always supervise your dog when introducing new toys or food items and remove the toy if it becomes damaged. By offering a variety of safe dog food options in dog enrichment toys, you're providing valuable mental stimulation for dogs. Let your Homeschool Trainer know which of these things is your pup’s favorite, or report on things they don’t like for more suggestions in your training text thread!
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