Dog Enrichment in 5 Minutes or Less: Boost Mental Health with Scatter Feeding
In our last blog we discussed why sniffing and foraging are essential for your dog’s mental health. When dogs sniff for food, it releases dopamine, the "feel-good" hormone, which lowers stress, helps with digestion, and provides important mental stimulation.
It also boosts confidence and allows them to gather information about their environment, fostering a sense of safety and relaxation. So, why not incorporate these enriching activities (like scatter feeding) into your daily routine?
How to Add Food Scatters to Your Walks
Instead of feeding your dog from a bowl where they finish their meal in 30 seconds, try what we like to call, “cookie scatters” (food scatters, scatter feeding, kibble scatters, whichever your preferred term or food of choice). Simply take your dog’s daily food ration, place it in a treat bag, and scatter it in clean areas with grass (or dirt) while on your walk.
This simple activity encourages your dog to use their natural foraging instincts, mentally stimulating them and slowing down their eating. It's a great way to engage their senses and promote calmness, all while spending quality time together.
The beauty of cookie scatters is that it is more about the quality of the walk than getting in the miles. While exercise is important, mental enrichment is just as vital for a balanced, happy dog. Watch your pup find their scattered food, take a moment to relax, and enjoy the process. It’s easy, effective, and fun!
It is frequently said that a 20 minute sniff walk is as enriching and tiring as a one-hour walk, although there are no definitive studies on the topic as of yet. Remember: cookie scatters simply means spreading their daily food, and/or some treats. (No more than 10% of their daily intake should be treats.)
Ditch the bowl and try cookie scatter walking—your dog will thank you for it!
Human time: Your regular walk time; 1-2 minutes of tossing kibble.
Dog time: Depends on how much you want to throw, how far you want to throw, and how many great places you can find to toss the food. The more the merrier 🙂
Caution: If you have multiple dogs and any resource guarding behavior, separate your dogs.
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