Does your dog have an insatiable urge to dig and explore? Whether they’re excavating holes in the sand at the beach or burying treasures in your backyard garden, digging is a natural instinct for dogs. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to help them channel that energy in a more positive direction. Below, we’ve curated a list of seven enriching dog toys that will satisfy your dog’s digging desires and keep them entertained (the last toy is a DIY option you can easily make with items already in your home)!
But First, Why Do Dogs Dig?
Dogs dig for a variety of reasons, driven by instinct, environmental factors, and even boredom. Some of the top reasons:
- Instinct: Digging is a natural instinct for many dogs, inherited from their wild ancestors who dug for shelter, to hide food, or to hunt small animals.
- Seeking Comfort: Dogs often dig to create a cool, comfortable spot to lie down, especially in hot weather. By digging into the earth, they can expose cooler soil and create a more pleasant resting area.
- Hiding Treasure: Dogs have an instinct to bury items they consider valuable, such as bones, toys, or food.
- Hunting: Some dogs dig to pursue small animals like moles, gophers, or insects.
- Escaping: Are you noticing your dog only digs along the perimeter of your yard? If so, he’s more than likely trying to get out of your fenced property and escape.
- Boredom: Digging can be a sign that a dog is bored or has excess energy. Without sufficient mental and physical stimulation, dogs may resort to digging as a way to entertain themselves and burn off energy.
- Stress Relief: Dogs experiencing anxiety or stress may dig as a coping mechanism. This behavior can be triggered by separation anxiety, loud noises, or changes in their environment.
How Do Certain Toys Help Satisfy Your Dog’s Urge to Dig?
Certain dog toys are designed to feed your dog’s natural desire to dig, sniff, and hunt. As you scroll through the toys featured on this list, you’ll notice they’re all interactive. Most involve hiding either yummy treats or enticing squeaky toys inside compartments for your dog to dig through. It will get their paws moving, noses working, and brains fired up! By redirecting your dog’s energy, it can significantly reduce destructive behavior and promote a healthier, happier lifestyle for your furry family member.
Dog Toy 1: iDig Digging Toy by iFetch
We need to start with this one because the iDig Digging Toy is specifically designed for dogs who love to dig. It features three layers of machine-washable fabric flaps that hide treats, food, or toys. These flaps encourage your dog to dig and find hidden treasures. Each flap provides varying levels of digging challenges and attaches to the side of a plastic base. This durable toy is great for small, medium, and large dogs, providing both mental and physical exercise!
Dog Toy 2: Traditional Snuffle Mat
Have you ever heard of a snuffle mat for dogs? It’s an interactive pad designed to engage your pup’s natural instincts and provide mental enrichment. Traditional snuffle mats feature strips of fleece fabric (some have additional flaps, pockets, and add-ons), and you hide treats or dry food inside for your dog to sniff out, find, and eat. From developing puppies to aging seniors, this enrichment toy is perfect for all dogs! In THIS article, we highlight five great store-bought snuffle mat options. Additionally, a few years ago, I shared a tutorial on how to make your own snuffle mat using a sink mat and fleece fabric. It’s quite simple to throw together! If you’re interested in making your own, check out the step-by-step instructions HERE.
Dog Toy 3: Carrot Patch Snuffle Mat
While this is technically another snuffle mat, I think it deserves its own spot! This interactive dog toy offers 12 treat hiding spots and plush carrot toys to cover each hole. Once your pup removes the plush veggies to reveal their tasty reward, let the fun continue as they shake and play with the carrots! Note: While this snuffle mat is fine for dogs of all sizes, it may not be ideal for pugs and other flat-faced breeds. The treat compartments are pretty deep, and easier for dogs with longer snouts.
Shop the Carrot Patch Snuffle Mat
Dog Toy 4: Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy
The Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy is a fantastic way to keep your dog engaged and satisfied. This toy comes with a plush tree trunk and several squeaky squirrels. The goal of the game: For your dog to dig the squirrels out of the trunk. It comes in different sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large. It’s made of soft, plush material, making it gentle on your dog’s mouth and nose while encouraging problem-solving to reduce boredom.
Dog Toy 5: Outward Hound Challenge Slider
While any dog puzzle is a great way to feed your dog’s desire to dig, the Challenge Slider by Outward Hound is one of my favorites. This is a more challenging game (it’s a Level 3), which offers 24 hidden treat compartments! To prep this game for playtime, you simply slide a treat-compartment tray out from underneath the game and fill it with your pup’s favorite tasty reward. Then, your dog has to slide plastic tiles, one by one, to reveal the yummy reward. This one will keep your pooch busy for a while!
Dog Toy 6: Hyper Pet Doggie Tail Interactive Plush Toy
The Hyper Pet Doggie Tail Interactive Plush Toy is an engaging toy that wiggles, vibrates, and barks. Ultimately, it stimulates your dog’s curiosity and digging instincts as they chase after the toy and try to “capture their prey.” This toy is battery operated. While it’s meant to withstand doggy playtime, no toy is completely indistructable. Make sure to supervise your pup while playing.
Dog Toy 7: DIY Busy Box
Also called an enrichment box, foraging box, or destruction box, a busy box is a super simple DIY interactive puzzle. You start with a basic cardboard box and then fill it with dog toys and random stuff lying around your home (particularly things you can hide treats in)!
What You’ll Need
- Cardboard Box – I used an old Amazon box, but any cardboard box will do. You can use an old soda can box, LaCroix box, cereal box, etc.
- Your Dog’s Favorite Plush Toy – Pick a few toys that your dog plays with a lot and LOVES. It can be a squeaky toy or a crinkle toy. Anything that has your dog’s scent on it and he’ll want to play with!
- Balls – If your dog loves tennis balls or Hol-ee balls then add that to the box too!
- Treat-filled KONG – Stuff the KONG with a few loose treats, a schmear of peanut butter, or a more robust bite (I share ideas in THIS post)!
- Treat-Filled Towel – Grab a clean washcloth or dish towel and roll treats inside.
- Toilet Paper Roll – Fill a toilet paper roll with dog treats and fold the edges down so they don’t fall out. *If your dog is super destructive and will eat the cardboard as he attempts to break the treats inside free then this may not be a great idea for you! It’s all about knowing your dog’s personality!
- Loose Treats – To sprinkle in the box!
How to Assemble
- Using a sharp knife, poke one or two thin holes on each side of the cardboard box. *This step is optional, but it helps your dog get a better whiff of what’s inside.
- Stuff the box with goodies. Use the list of ideas I mentioned above and get creative with your own!
- Sprinkle a few loose treats into the box.
- Lightly close the top of the box.
- Give it to your dog to rip open, forage through, and play with!
In Search of More Interactive Dog Toys?
We’ve got you covered! Check out THIS complete list of top puzzle picks!
