If you want to keep your dog entertained, a puzzle will encourage them to use their brain and flex their muscles. These toys are proven to help anxious or restless dogs, so really, every owner should think about picking one up. Our handy guide runs through the best puzzles for dogs.
Puzzles for dogs are relatively cheap and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. For one, there are ball-shaped puzzles where the dogs have to knock around the toy to get food. We’ve also seen snuffle mats where you hide treats under flaps of material. Keep scrolling for our top picks.
In this article:
At a glance: our top 5 puzzles for dogs
If you don’t have time to read our full article, see the table below.
| Product name | Price | Why do we like it? |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado Treat Puzzle by Outward Hound | £13.50 | Your dog has to rotate each layer of the puzzle to get a reward. |
| Interactive Treat Puzzle by Outward Hound | £17 | It will encourage your dog to flip, lift and slide the toy to reach their tasty treats. |
| Elezenioc Dog Puzzle | £10.99 | The bottom of this puzzle is made of a non-slip material, so you don’t have to worry about your dog sliding across the floor. |
| ADOGO Dog Puzzle Feeder Toy | £8.99 | This puzzle features slide-to-open mechanisms that your dog has to move to unlock their treat. |
| Hide and Treat Bone Puzzle | Currently unavailable | Your dog has to lift plastic pieces to reveal hidden compartments beneath. |
What are puzzles for dogs?
Puzzles for dogs are interactive toys designed to challenge a dog’s mind and keep them mentally stimulated. They are often made of durable materials and come in various shapes and sizes.
They work by hiding treats or toys inside the puzzle, which the dog has to retrieve. This can involve moving parts or solving a series of steps to get to the reward. As the dog uses the puzzle, they’re using cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities, providing mental stimulation.
Best puzzles for dogs 2023
Tornado Treat Puzzle by Outward Hound (£13.50)
At a glance: place treats inside the compartments and slide the top of the puzzle so the food is hidden. Your dog has to rotate each layer of the puzzle to get a reward.
We couldn’t write up an article on puzzles for dogs without including this beauty. The Tornado Treat Puzzle by Outward Hound is easily one of the most popular picks on Amazon – in fact, it’s been reviewed by almost 40,000 customers. This puzzle is classed as ‘intermediate’ in terms of difficulty and can effectively exercise your dog’s mind.
There are 12 hidden compartments in this puzzle, so get your bag of treats and start stuffing each available space. This puzzle also comes bundled with mini bone-shaped pieces that you can cover up the treats with to add another layer of difficulty. Oh, and you can easily wash this puzzle by hand in case your furry friend makes a mess.
Click here to buy the Tornado Treat Puzzle by Outward Hound, or shop deals on eBay.
Interactive Treat Puzzle by Outward Hound (£17)
At a glance: place treats in the hidden compartments under the floor of the puzzle. You can also hide food inside the red pieces, as shown in the picture above.
This is another mega popular dog puzzle that’s available to buy today on Amazon. The boredom-busting Interactive Treat Puzzle will encourage your dog to flip, lift and slide the toy to reach their tasty treats. According to the manufacturer, using this puzzle regularly with your dog can encourage positive play habits and reduce nervousness in anxious pooches.
There are a total of 8 sliding covers on this puzzle, with each one including a mini scent hole so your dog can work out if they’re searching for food in the right area or not.
Click here to buy the Interactive Treat Puzzle by Outward Hound, or shop deals on eBay.
Elezenioc Dog Puzzle (£10.99)
At a glance: this puzzle has slide-to-open compartments where you’re meant to hide treats. To get to their food, your dog will have to interact with the puzzle to reveal the hidden storage spots.
This delightfully affordable puzzle for dogs is full of fun, encouraging four-legged players to use their brain to get a tasty treat. There are a total of 14 holes in which you can hide food, so your dog will have plenty of areas to explore as they search for prizes. This puzzle encourages your dog to use their brain and can also help to train strength in smaller dogs.
The bottom of this puzzle is made of a non-slip material, so you don’t have to worry about your dog sliding across the floor as they search for food.
Click here to buy the Elezenioc Dog Puzzle, or shop deals on eBay.
ADOGO Dog Puzzle Feeder Toy (£8.99)
At a glance: this puzzle features slide-to-open mechanisms that your dog has to move to unlock their treat. There are four central compartments and then plenty of other holes running around the outside of the puzzle.
Ideal for smaller breeds, this dog puzzle from Amazon seller ADOGO is made of high-quality ABS material. It’s a non-slip puzzle that contains 22 hidden compartments and 9 moving pieces. Your dog will have to work hard to get their food, which is great news if you’re looking for a toy to distract your dog for longer periods of time.
This puzzle will also help to prevent overeating as your dog has to slow down to solve the puzzle.
Click here to buy the ADOGO Dog Puzzle Feeder Toy, or shop deals on eBay.
Hide and Treat Bone Puzzle (currently unavailable)
At a glance: to get their food, your dog has to lift plastic pieces to reveal hidden compartments beneath.
The Hide and Treat Bone Puzzle is up for grabs at less than £10 – not bad, eh!? This dog puzzle features 7 compartments that you stuff with food and then cover up. To win their treats, your dog will have to use the scent holes to pinpoint the location of the food, and then swipe the plastic cover away.
This highly-entertaining dog puzzle is nice and lightweight, so you can easily pack it in a rucksack if you’re heading on a weekend away with your dog. It’s also designed to be used as a slow feeding tool and therefore an alternative to a traditional dog bowl. If your pooch eats far too quickly, we suggest you take a closer look at this puzzle.
Click here to buy the Hide and Treat Bone Puzzle, or shop deals on eBay.
Lesfit Dog Food Ball (£9.96)
At a glance: unscrew the top of this ball, drop some treats inside and then watch as your dog has to knock it around to retrieve their food.
The Lesfit Dog Food Ball is another fantastic option if you want your dog to use their brain power for some treats. Once you’ve filled the ball with food, the treats will work their way through an internal labyrinth. For your dog to get the food to come out of the passage, they have to knock it around the room. There are three open holes on the ball that act as food dispensers.
This puzzle for dogs is made from sturdy material that means it’ll survive bumps and scrapes from an excited puppy. It’s a top pick if you’re looking to cure your dog’s boredom.
Click here to buy the Lesfit Dog Food Ball, or shop deals on eBay.
FREESOO Snuffle Mat (£15.99)
At a glance: Take some treats, crush them up in your hand and spread the food around the snuffle mat. This encourages your dog to sniff around when they’re feeling a little restless.
Every dog owner needs a snuffle mat. These handy toys are a great, cheap alternative to puzzles for dogs. The colourful FREESOO Snuffle Mat has plenty of spots for you to hide treats, and your dog will love playing around with the different textures. This same brand sells other snuffle mats in loads of different shapes and colours.
This snuffle mat is made from a high-quality fleece that’s not only durable (good news if you own a larger breed) but also easy to clean.
Click here to buy the FREESOO Snuffle Mat, or shop deals on eBay.
Are puzzles good for dogs?
Although nothing beats playing and interacting with your dog one on one, a puzzle is a great alternative if your pup needs some mental stimulation.
These toys can also help to slow down a dog that eats too fast, while at the same time giving them an extra hit of exercise. Puzzles for dogs can also cure boredom (duh!) and ease anxiety in some cases.
We’ve seen that both Amazon, eBay and Etsy offer loads of cool puzzles for you and your pet to try out.
What are the benefits of giving my dog puzzle toys?
- Mental Stimulation: Puzzle toys can provide your dog with a mentally stimulating challenge that engages their mind and helps to keep them mentally sharp.
- Reducing Boredom and Destructive Behaviour: By providing a puzzle toy, you can help to prevent your dog from getting bored and engaging in destructive behaviours such as chewing on furniture or excessive barking.
- Promoting Physical Activity: Some puzzle toys require physical activity from your dog, which can help to keep them active and improve their overall health.
- Slowing Down Eating: Puzzle toys can also help slow down dogs who eat too quickly, which can help prevent digestive problems like bloating.
- Improving Behaviour: Dogs that are mentally stimulated and engaged are less likely to engage in negative behaviours like excessive barking, digging, or aggression.
Overall, puzzle toys are an excellent way to provide your dog with mental and physical stimulation, which can help to keep them happy, healthy, and well-behaved.
How can I teach my dog to use a puzzle toy?
Teaching your dog to use a puzzle toy can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your dog. Here are some steps to follow:
- Start with an easy puzzle toy: Choose a simple puzzle toy that is easy for your dog to figure out. This will help build their confidence and prevent frustration.
- Show your dog the toy: Show your dog the puzzle toy and let them smell it. You can also place treats or food near the toy to get them interested.
- Demonstrate how to use the toy: Show your dog how to use the puzzle toy by demonstrating how to manipulate the parts to get to the treat or food. Encourage your dog to watch you and praise them when they pay attention.
- Encourage your dog to interact with the toy: Once your dog is familiar with the puzzle toy, encourage them to interact with it. You can place a treat or food inside and let your dog figure out how to get it out.
- Praise and reward your dog: Praise your dog when they successfully use the puzzle toy, and reward them with treats or praise.
- Increase the difficulty: As your dog becomes more skilled at using the puzzle toy, you can increase the difficulty by choosing more complex puzzles.
Remember to always supervise your dog when they are using a puzzle toy to ensure their safety and to prevent them from becoming frustrated. With patience and practice, your dog can learn to use puzzle toys and enjoy the mental stimulation they provide.
How much do puzzles for dogs cost?
Here’s some good news for you – they’re pretty cheap! In fact, most of the popular puzzles for dogs over on Amazon will cost you less than £20. That’s money well spent if you want a way to distract your dog so you can have a relaxing evening in front of the telly.
Do you need more control over your dog while you’re out on a walk? If so, check in with our expert guide on the best dog harnesses.