Enrichment toys & mats
Why is enrichment good for your dog?
To be happy, healthy and well behaved our dogs need to exercise their brains as well as their bodies. Dogs have evolved to have natural foraging instincts but because we feed them in bowls, they no longer need to “work” for their food. This can lead to boredom and bad behavior. It also leads to eating too fast which is bad for dogs digestion. Enrichment products like SodaPup emats, etrays and ecoins are all designed to stimulate your dogs brains and slow down their eating. This can help avoid over-eating and unhealthy weight gain. It can also keep your dog busy and engaged while you’re away and can even reduce separation anxiety by distracting your dog when you leave the house.
What to spread
Spreadables (your base)
Spreadables are your typical base level or “filler”. Depending on the enrichment tool you’re using, whether this be a lick mat or a treat dispenser – these will typically make up a portion of what you’re using.
Note, when using enrichment for full meals, this is where raw or kibble will be utilized.
Greek Yoghurt – any brand. Ensure unsweetened Greek and not a flavour / sweetened.
Cottage Cheese – any brand
Raw Dog Food – consult your vet before using raw. There are handling and storing considerations
Eggs – chicken, quail and duck eggs are good choices
Banana – mashed up
Cucumbers – shredded and mixed with Cottage Cheese is a favourite
Carrot – shredded and mixed with Greek Yoghurt is a favourite
Pumpkin – cooked and pureed
Sweet Potato – cooked and pureed
Meat:
Beef
Lamb
Chicken
Turkey
Goat
Venison
Seafood:
Seafood dog’s can eat – there is a lot! Probably a lot more than you were thinking. Here’s a list of our favourites:
Squid (raw or cooked)
Scallops (cooked only)
Lobster (cooked)
Prawns (cooked)
Salmon – (raw or cooked). If feeding raw, freeze for 6 weeks prior. This kills any parasites. Remove any bones.
Crab (cooked)
Oysters – (cook, remove shell)
Sardines – (raw or cooked)
Flounder – Grill fillets for your dog
While this is a great list of healthy seafood, avoid anything with long lifespans – such as Tuna or Swordfish. These are more likely to contain amounts of heavy metal due to pollution which can have serious negative benefits.
Vegetables:
Veggies and fruit are a dog’s best friend too! Who would have thought? Dog’s are omnivores and have eaten both meat and plants for thousands of years.
Kale – mixed into your meal or pureed
Spinach – mixed into your meal or pureed
Beetroot – grated
Carrots – grated or cut into small pieces
Green Beans – cut in half
Celery – cut into small pieces
Broccoli – cut into small pieces
Brussel Sprouts – (cook – boil)
Sweet Corn – small amounts
Cauliflower – grated or cut into small pieces
Fruits:
Pears – cut into small pieces
Oranges – cut into small pieces
Apples – remove seeds and cut into small pieces
Blueberries – added on top or pressed into grooves
Raspberries – added on top or pressed into grooves
Blackberries – added on top or pressed into grooves
Watermelon – remove all seeds, cut into pieces
Mango – no skin and no pit. Serious choking hazard. Cut into pieces
Papaya – absolutely no seeds. Cut into pieces
Strawberries – added on top or pressed into grooves
Rockmelon – absolutely no seeds. Cut into pieces
Superfoods:
Doggy Jelly – prepare in different moulds
Goji Berries – serving size already (sprinkle over or mix in)
Chia Seeds – serving size already (sprinkle over or mix in)
Dragonfruit – cut into small pieces
Blue Spirulina – add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above
Green Spirulina – add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above
Beetroot Powder – add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above
Cumin Powder – add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above.
