Ditch the bowel at Mealtimes

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Enrichment‑Based Feeding Helps Your Dog and How to Start

You know that moment at mealtimes when your dog looks at you like you’re just filling a bowl again?

I used to feed every dog in a plain bowl. It felt easy and familiar.

But then I started watching the dogs during walks and playtime. I saw how they sniffed, hunted, worked things out, and how they responded when they had to find or earn a reward.

That got me thinking.

Feeding isn’t just about nutrition. It’s also one of the main chances in the day to give your dog mental and physical engagement.

In this post, I’ll talk about enrichment‑based feeding, why it matters, and how you can make simple changes that help your dog think, explore, relax, and enjoy meals more. I’ll share examples and ideas that work in real homes.

By the end, you’ll know:

• Why ditching the bowl can be good
• How to introduce food enrichment for dogs safely
• What tools and games make feeding fun
• How does this link to calmer behaviour and a healthy routine

Let’s start with the basics.

What Is Enrichment‑Based Feeding?

Enrichment‑based feeding means you don’t just drop kibble into a bowl and walk away.

You give your dog opportunities to work for food in ways that tap into instincts like sniffing, searching, and problem-solving.

This could be as simple as scattering kibble on the floor so your dog ‘forages’ for it.

Or using toys that release food when your dog moves them correctly.

Or hiding bits of food in soft rugs or around a room for scent-searching.

These are all examples of dog enrichment ideas that turn mealtimes into a mental exercise.

Ask yourself:

• Does your dog finish their bowl in seconds, then look for something else to amuse them?
• Do they get bored quickly at mealtimes?
• Have you noticed behaviour like chewing, pacing, or spinning after meals?

If so, enrichment feeding might help. It gives your dog more than calories. It provides them with purposeful engagement.

Why Ditching the Bowl Matters

Most dogs in our homes today eat from the same bowl, in the same spot, at the same time every day. That can be fine for simple routines.

But dogs are not just physically active animals. Dogs love to explore and solve problems.

Free‑living dogs spend a lot of time each day searching for food, sniffing, moving, and thinking. Traditional bowl feeding doesn’t give our pet dogs that part of their day.

When we ditch the bowl and add feeding enrichment ideas:

• Your dog gets mental stimulation
• Mealtimes become more than a mechanical routine
• You give them a chance to use their instincts
• You reduce frustration linked to boredom

Ask yourself:

• When was the last time you saw your dog settle after a meal?
• Do they calm down after eating or do they rush off for more stimulation?

I’ve noticed that many dogs who have engaging feeding routines settle better after meals.

This matters because a calmer dog is easier to train, easier to live with, and less likely to show unwanted behaviours.

This is not about doing the most complicated thing every time. It’s about intentional feeding that respects how dogs think.

How Enrichment Feeding Supports Natural Behaviour

Your dog didn’t evolve to eat from a bowl. Before domestication, dogs and wolves spent hours searching, sniffing, and foraging for food.

That behaviour is still inside them.

When you add enrichment to feeding, you help them meet natural needs like:

• searching for food
• sniffing and using their nose
• working out solutions
• engaging body and brain

These things help your dog feel satisfied and calm after meals. (abbieduchonprofessionaldogtraining.com)

Dogs that eat only from a bowl may finish quickly, then look for something else to occupy them. That can lead to behaviours like:

• chewing furniture
• barking for no apparent reason
• refusing to settle
• trying to get into bins or cupboards

Those behaviours often come from boredom or unmet needs.

So enrichment feeding is not a luxury. It’s practical care that matches who dogs are as animals.

Getting Started: Easy Ways to Feed Without a Bowl

You don’t need expensive gear to ditch the bowl. You only need to think about turning mealtimes into moments of engagement.

Here are simple ways to begin:

Scatter Feeding

This is the easiest start.

Take your dog’s usual dry food and scatter it:

• on the carpet
• on the grass in the garden
• on a blanket
• around different rooms

Your dog has to sniff and search to find every bit.

This taps directly into natural foraging behaviour.

It also slows down eating, which helps digestion.

Snuffle Mats

A snuffle mat is a mat with fabric strips where you hide kibble.

Your dog spends time nudging and sniffing out the food.

This is especially good if your dog eats too fast.

Food Puzzle Feeders

These are toys that hold food, which your dog must work to release.

Examples include:

• puzzle balls
• treat dispensers
• toys with sliding parts

They make your dog think and use paw and nose skills.

Hidden Treat Games

Hide small piles of food around the house or garden.

Ask your dog to “find it.”

This builds confidence and makes feeding feel like a game.

Try different places each day so your dog never knows exactly where the food will be.

Feeding Tools That Help

There are different types of tools you can try:

• Slow feed mats and trays
• Puzzle toys
• Toppl and Wobbler types of feeders
• Kong toys stuffed with food

Each toy gives a slightly different challenge. Some dogs prefer one type over another.

If your dog hasn’t tried food puzzles before, start with easy ones. Let them succeed and enjoy the experience.

Some dogs get frustrated if the challenge is too hard.

So always watch how they respond.

How Enrichment Supports Mental and Physical Health

Enrichment isn’t just playtime. It has measurable benefits.

When dogs engage their brains during feeding:

• They get mental stimulation
• They expend energy in a meaningful way
• They burn energy without lots of physical exercise
• They often settle more easily after meals

This matters especially for:

• young dogs
• high energy breeds
• anxious or shy dogs
• dogs with behaviour challenges

Many trainers and behaviour experts now include enrichment feeding in behaviour plans because it helps dogs feel more balanced and less stressed.

How to Adapt Feeding for Different Dogs

Every dog is unique.

Ask yourself:

• Does your dog enjoy sniff games?
• Do they like toys they can paw and move?
• Do they get easily bored with one activity?

For some dogs, one method will work best. For others, you may mix styles.

Here are some patterns you can try:

For Puppies

Puppies are curious and eager learners.

You can start with very easy sniff games and short puzzle sessions.

Keep the food pieces small, so they feel confident finding them.

For Anxious Dogs

If your dog gets worried or overexcited, start slow.

Begin with gentle sniff games on familiar surfaces.

If your dog struggles, make the task easier.

Watch their body language.

You want them to feel successful, not pressured.

For Fast Eaters

Dogs that swallow fast benefit from tools that slow their meals.

Snuffle mats and food puzzles make them take their time.

This can reduce gulping and may support better digestion.

Practical Tips for Everyday Enrichment Feeding

Here are clear steps to make enrichment feeding a habit:

1. Keep it simple at first.
   Start with scatter feeding for one meal a day.
2. Make it predictable at first, then add variation.
   Your dog needs to know the game before it becomes fun.
3. Watch your dog’s reaction.
   If they get frustrated, ease the challenge.
4. Mix different methods throughout the week.
   Some days a snuffle mat, some days a puzzle, some days a scent hunt.
5. Use part of their daily allowance.
   Don’t add extra food unless advised by a vet.
6. Supervise when needed.
   Especially with new toys or environments.

Our article on creating a balanced week is worth reading

Safety and Health Notes

Always consider your dog’s health needs.

Before you change diet or meal routines:

• Speak with a vet
• Check body condition and energy needs
• Watch for choking hazards in DIY games

Dogs with certain medical conditions may need special feeding attention.

Your vet will know what’s best for your dog’s age, size, and health status.

Real Stories From Dog Owners

I once met a young Labrador that inhaled every meal in under 30 seconds.

His owner worried that he ate too fast and then wanted to play constantly.

We switched one meal a day to scatter feeding.

The change was noticeable.

They started sniffing and working for the food. This meant more settled after mealtimes.

He was calmer in the evening.

His owner said she saw a difference within a week.

You don’t need to change everything overnight.

Start small, and your dog can give you clear clues about what they enjoy.

Common Questions About Enrichment Feeding

What if my dog ignores the food when I scatter it?

Give it time.

Start with just a few pieces first.

Reduce distractions so your dog can focus.

Once they find a few pieces, confidence builds.

Will enrichment feeding make my dog hungry all day?

No.

Use your dog’s daily food allowance.

You’re just changing how they access it.

They are still getting the same nutrition, just spread through activity.

Can older dogs do enrichment feeding?

Yes.

Just tailor the activities to their mobility and comfort.

Snuffle mats are great because they don’t require lots of movement.

Will enrichment feeding stop bad behaviour?

Not on its own.

But it can reduce boredom and stress, which often underlie many behaviour issues.

Combine enrichment with training and routine for the best results.

Final Thoughts

Feeding your dog is more than just giving food.

It’s a chance to support mental and physical well-being through purposeful engagement.

When you introduce enrichment‑based feeding, you give your dog more than calories.

You give them a thoughtful, stimulating daily experience that respects who they are as animals.

Start small.

Watch your dog.

Adapt to what they enjoy.

And let meals be moments of connection, learning, and calm.

If you’d like more ideas or help planning games and sessions for your dog, explore enrichment consultations, training support, or guided play sessions.

• Do you have a bored dog?
  Is your dog mentally as well as physically active?
• How to Entertain our dog whilst in self-isolation
• Ditch the bowl
  Make mealtimes s fun by ditching the bowl and doing things like scattering the food or playing find it.
• The Muffin Tin Game
  This is an excellent game of hide-and-seek and is ideal for scent hounds that enjoy sniffing. Easy to set up with some basic equipment. No Special Skills are Required.
• Dog Toys from Socks
  Some fun and challenging games that are easy to make out of old socks
• Rotating Bottles
  This game is based on three bottles with dog treats inside, and the dog has to work out how to spin the bottles at the right speed.
• Quick and Easy Games
  A collection of some quick and easy games using everyday articles
• Ideas to mentally entertain your dog

Disclaimer: Always supervise your pet when letting dogs play with homemade or commercial toys. Immediately take the toy away if they start chewing or swallowing any pieces, or if they break it apart. Finchley dog walker is not responsible for any harm that may come to your dog.