Puzzle and treat toys give dogs an opportunity to work for a portion of their meals or extra snacks. For dogs who need to lose weight and are eating smaller-than-normal portions, these toys are a way to extend mealtimes while encouraging exercise.
To learn about the best possible treat toys for dogs, we talked to Alicia McCusker. As the Greenway store manager, she’s helped a lot of customers find the very best toys for their pets. And with two dogs and a cat at home, she’s also familiar with using treat toys and puzzle toys as a pet owner.
AM: When we talk about puzzle toys, we’re actually talking about two options: puzzle toys and slow feeders. Both toys provide excellent mental stimulation, but they also can make dogs work for their food and eat more slowly.
If you want to encourage more exercise, you want to find a puzzle toy that can hold a larger portion of food or treats. When you use these toys, you can put a portion of your dog’s daily food into the puzzle or treat toy. Then they can slowly work for that food. Some dogs like to throw these toys around the room and chase them. I’ve also seen some dogs push food-dispensing toys around the room, so they’re going to burn calories while eating.
Using a toy to dispense part of a meal isn’t just about maintaining a healthy weight; this type of work can be incredibly rewarding for the dog and provides plenty of mental stimulation.
AM: Well, if you want to maintain the same type of diet, we do have freeze-dried raw that you can use a partial substitute for frozen raw. And a lot of the brands we carry in frozen raw, also have a freeze-dried raw option. The formulas are similar, so your dog should be able to adjust easily.
AM: My first suggestion is to consider your dog’s breed and prey drive. These traits may give you clues to help you decide how your dog likes to play. For example, my dog Jodie is a border collie, which is a type of herding dog. And we have a toy that she can guide around the house with her nose, and she herds the toy around the house in that way. I think the reason she enjoys that particular toy because it plays to her natural instincts. She’ll even roll it around when there aren’t any treats inside.
Mixed breed dogs may have several different interests. In that case, it’s just about watching how your dog likes to play. Do they like to use their paws when playing? Do they try to pull on things? Then, you can look for a toy that uses that existing instinct to make that toy work.
Mud Bay has ten to fifteen completely different puzzle or treat toys. And once you know the play style your dog likes, we’ll be able to find the right toy for your dog.
AM: A lot of dogs are really food driven, but they’re not willing to work hard for their normal kibble or a biscuit. So, start by finding a treat or food that is highly palatable to use with the toy. Most toys work with smaller treats, so freeze-dried treats tend to be a great option.
You might also want to choose easier toys at first. For example, we have the Pet Rageous Thinkrageous puzzles, and each toy has one of three difficulty ratings. So starting with easy toys can help set your dog up for success.
The other option is to start by playing with your dog with the toy. Then they can mimic your behavior, and see how you’re able to get a treat out of the toy. It’s crazy how intelligent dogs can be, and by mimicking you, they can learn a new skill.
This can be a helpful technique if your dog likes to chew and you’re concerned that she’s going to chew the toy to get the treats inside. By demonstrating how the toy works for your dog, you can show her that there’s a better way. And lots of dogs are receptive to that coaching.
AM: I really think that the Pet Rageous Thinkrageous toys are really appealing to a lot of different dogs. They are floor puzzles that your dogs can either nose or paw at to move the little pieces. And people really enjoy being able to see how intelligent their dogs are.
The other popular toy at the store is the Starmark Pickle Pocket. You can create varying levels of difficulty by how far you push the treats into the pickle. And then, the Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop is great because it can hold larger portions. So, if you wanted to put a portion of your dog’s meal into a puzzle toy, that’s the one I recommend.
I do want to mention that many people with both cats and dogs will buy puzzle toys for their dogs but forget their cats. Cats are just as likely to reap the benefits of both exercise and mental stimulation from puzzle toys as dogs are. Cats are hunters and so chasing/batting a toy around, such as the Pet Safe Egg-Cercizer, is going to play into their natural cycle of hunt, eat, groom, sleep.
AM: Stacking and wedging biscuits inside the Kong can make them harder to remove. But the other option is to freeze softer treats inside the Kong. You can fill the Kong with nut butter, yogurt or pumpkin, and let the toy freeze overnight. Then when you give your dog the toy, it will take a lot longer to eat.
Greenway Store Manager Alicia McCusker spends her workdays helping customers in Tigard, Oregon. She’d love to talk to you about what toys make sense for your dog or cat. When she’s not a work, she’s playing with the family pets, who include Jodie, a border collie and whippet mix, Arlo, a malamute, and Loki, a cuddly, part Norwegian forest cat.
🐝 🌷 🌈 Spring is here, and that means fleas and ticks are back. To help protect your cat, we’re excited to offer new TropiClean 🌴 options designed to make care simple and effective.
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TropiClean Laundry Additive helps tackle fleas, ticks, eggs, and larvae right in your wash. Just add half a cup with your regular detergent, let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, and use it on bedding, towels, blankets, rugs, and toys. Plus, it’s safe for use with your dog!
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TropiClean Gentle No-Rinse Cat Shampoo offers an easy way to clean and protect without the hassle. It helps eliminate fleas, ticks, and mites, protects against mosquitoes, and is safe for pets and kids.
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TropiClean Gentle Mist for Cats is a quick, on-the-go option for added protection. Just spray and go for an easy way to help protect against fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitoes.
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You can shop TropiClean products for your cat in-store and online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fleaprotection #tropiclean #tropicalclean #healthypets
Furvor bone 🦴 broth for dogs is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is highly concentrated, so every squeeze adds real nutrition to your dog’s routine.
🐕 It’s packed with protein, amino acids, and nutrients that can support gut health, mobility, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
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It’s also an easy way to boost hydration and bring a little excitement back to the bowl—especially for picky eaters. Just mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or serve it on its own.
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Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
#mudbay #furvor #bonebroth #dogs #healthypets
Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
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Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
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You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
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If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
#mudbay #healthypets #kidneyhealth #cats #catfood
If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
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With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
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Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
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The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
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Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
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Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
#mudbay #woof #healthypets #dogs #petenrichment
👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
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Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
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A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
#mudbay #dogs #staybusy #healthypets #dogtoys
🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
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We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
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The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
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Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
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All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
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You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #mealtime #pnwpets #mudbayairdriedtoppers
💫 New at Mud Bay!
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CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
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Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
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Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
#mudbay #cocotherapy #trainingtreats #dogs #healthypets
🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
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We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
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New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
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Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
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To enter:
👍 Like this post
😃 Tag us and tag a friend
🤝 Follow us
We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
#mudbay #foodtoppers #dogs #cats #petfood
Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
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Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
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We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
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Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogtoys #playtime #pnwpets
We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
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The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
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We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
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Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
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Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
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Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
#mudbay #dogpark #sneaktreat #mudbayairdriedtoppers #new
Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
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The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
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The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
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Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
#mudbay #woof #dogs #enrichment #petproducts
