(It Depends on Who You Ask)

---

Feeding dogs using food-delivery devices has become increasingly popular. Some owners use these gadgets as a supplement or occasional treat for their dogs, while others use them to provide all of their dogs’ meals. The general intent of providing food in this way, as opposed to a bowl, is as some type of enrichment – usually to stimulate both mental and physical activity. On the face of it, feeding in this way makes logical sense. After all, if we make mealtime more active and fun for our dogs, this must is a good thing. Right?

Well, maybe. Unfortunately, most of the food-delivery contraptions that are marketed today have no research to support their use. In response to this lack, research teams from a variety of academic backgrounds have been studying whether or not food-delivery toys do what they are intended to do and are actually effective in improving the welfare of dogs.

---

Asking Dog Owners

So, why do owners use food-delivery toys and what benefits do they feel that these toys have for their dogs? A recently published study surveyed more than 1700 dog owners regarding their use of food-delivery devices (1). More than 85 percent of respondents used some type of food-delivery toy with their dog, with about half feeding their dog exclusively in this manner. The most common devices used were stuffed stuffed kongs, various types of activity/food delivery toys, and, when used supplementally, different types of chews.

Perceptions: Owners identified the following beliefs regarding the benefits of food-delivery toys for their dogs:

• Provides mental stimulation (98 %)
• Prevents boredom (96 %)
• Increases activity/tires out active dog (80 %)
• Prevents separation anxiety (> 85 %; however, ~ 12 percent disagreed with this as a possible benefit)
• Provides enjoyment to the owner (89 %)

Interestingly, only 20 percent of owners who were using food-delivery toys believed that their dog showed reduced hunger because of the device and less than one in five (17 %) said that it reduced begging.

Conclusions: This owner-reported survey strongly supported and endorsed the use of food-delivery toys for feeding dogs. Perceived benefits were numerous, and collectively suggested significant (perceived) improvements in the welfare of dogs living in homes.

---

Asking Dogs

Many dogs appear to enjoy and will readily engage with food-delivery toys. However, the research that has actually measured dogs’ responses to these toys does not appear to align well with dog owners’ perceptions.

For example, one study compared seven forms of enrichment in dogs who were in training to become Assistance Dogs. Activities that were social in nature or that provided a novel form of exercise were most effective for enhancing relaxation and reducing stress. In contrast, providing a stuffed toy or a food puzzle had minimal impact on relaxation and stress-related behaviors (see Enrichment). Another study examined changes in activity in dogs who were fed their meals using a food-delivery apparatus. On average, the dogs increased the amount of time that they were active by 10 minutes per day and walked (inside the home) for 20 more minutes per day. These are very small enhancements – and were comprised of the dogs following the food toy around to obtain their meal (see Play).

Most recently, a 2023 paper examined the influence of a wide variety of toys on pet dog welfare, including several food-delivery devices (2). Although there were limitations to the study, clear benefits of using food-delivery toys on feeding behavior, activity level, and responses in a standard cognitive test were not found in the dogs. Still another recent study suggested that some types of food delivery toys, while engaging for dogs, can also result in increased levels of frustration (see Best).

Overall, researchers are finding that dogs generally prefer enrichment that is social in nature, as opposed to solitary play or engaging with toys. Examples include activities that involve interactions or training with either another dog or with a human friend (see Stress, Enrichment, and  Nose Work).

---

---

What Dogs Choose When Asked

When a food-delivery device is used to provide all of a dog’s meals, an important question is whether or not the dog actually prefers to be fed in this manner. Researchers with the Thinking Dog Center at Hunter College in New York recently asked this question to dogs (3).

The Study: A group of 38 healthy adult dogs, living in homes, was recruited for the study. At mealtime on 10 separate occasions, each dog was presented with both a feeding toy (a snuffle mat) and a feeding tray. Each contained 50 percent of the dog’s meal. Mealtimes were videotaped and analyzed by three independent coders. The researchers recorded each dog’s initial choice (mat or tray), how many times (if any) that the dog switched between the two, and how many times (if any) that the dog visited the snuffle mat while there was still food in the tray. These data were used to calculate measures of (1) Preference – what dogs select first if allowed and (2) Willingness – whether dogs would use the snuffle mat when food was still available freely, in the tray. (Note: The methodology used in this study was adapted from the approach designed by Dr. Mikel Delgado who studies feeding behavior in cats. Dr. Delgado presents her work in a Science Dog webinar “Feeding Outside the Bowl“).

---

---

Results: All of the dogs engaged with both types of feeding at some level. One third (14) of the dogs consumed all of the food in both feeders in all trials. Here are the specifics:

• Bowl Feeding: Twenty-two of the 38 dogs (58 percent) demonstrated a preference for eating from the tray over eating using the food-delivery toy.
• Happy to Eat: An additional 15 dogs (39 percent) ate equally from both, showing no clear preference.
• Food-Delivery Toy: Only one dog (3 percent) showed a preference for eating from the snuffle mat.
• Willingness: Of the 38 dogs, most (30 dogs; 79 percent) were willing to give the snuffle mat a try, even if it was not their preferred method of eating. Eight dogs were not willing to use the snuffle mat.

Conclusions: This is the first study to directly measure dogs’ feeding method preferences when given a choice between a food-delivery toy and a bowl (tray). Contrary to many beliefs about food-delivery toys, the dogs did not demonstrate a preference for being fed this way. Rather more than half showed a preference for having their meal provided freely to them in a tray. Many were willing to engage with the food-delivery apparatus, but it was not their preference.

---

The Box is Out

Before I am flooded with emails from outraged dog folks defending their snuffle mats, kong toys, wobble-thingies and whatsits, let me assure you that I am NOT opposed to using food-delivery toys. I have written about these devices and their use as safety cues and as (possible) enrichment devices multiple times. We use stuffed kongs as safety cues with our own dogs, and I have used a Manners Minders on occasion to jumpstart certain behaviors. However, I have also written repeatedly about and continue to follow, the excellent research that is being published regarding enrichment for dogs and specifically studies of food-delivery devices.

Just the Facts: The current facts are that despite owners’ and some trainers’ beliefs about them, when actually studied, food-delivery toys are coming up short. Sure, dogs like them when they are provided. However, when asked, dogs are telling us that they would rather play with us or with another dog, or do something active, such as agility training or Nose Work. They are also telling us that food delivery toys do not effectively reduce stress. Now, we also have evidence that dogs really would just like to eat their dinner in peace, without having to work for it. Perhaps, in today’s progressive training environment in which we provide our dogs with more choice and are paying attention to issues of consent, we should listen to them.

Here’s my specific argument: Most trainers, myself included, emphasize to our clients that they should provide a quiet, peaceful and safe environment to their dog during meals. Dogs should not have to tolerate people sticking their hands into their food bowl, being pestered by children, or worry about guarding their bowl from another pet. Basically, our dogs should trust that we will ensure that they can eat and enjoy their meal in peace.

It therefore seems counter-intuitive to also believe, as some do, that it is beneficial or even preferred to require dogs to work for their daily meals using a food-delivery toy. We have data showing that most dogs do not prefer to be fed this way. We also know that food-delivery toys minimally enhance activity and are less effective than other means for enhancing a dog’s life quality.

Perhaps it is time to classify food-delivery devices as tools that are helpful (sometimes) in perhaps some ways. However, they should not be assumed to provide welfare benefits that they are perceived to have, but do not actually demonstrate having.

‘Nuff said. Off of Box.

---

Cited Studies

1. Heys M, Lloyd I, Westgarth C. Bowls are boring: Investigating enrichment feeding for pet dogs and the perceived benefits and challenges. Veterinary Record (2023): e3169.
2. Chan K, Arellano C, Horowitz A. Here puppy, Chew on this: Short-term provision of toys does not improve welfare in companion animals. Animals 13.21 (2023): 3340.
3. Rothkoff L, Feng L, Byosiere S-E. Domestic pet dogs (Canis familiaris) do not show a preference to contra-freeload, but are willing. Scientific Reports 14.1 (2024): 1314.

---

Study with Us at The Science Dog Courses!

Completely on-line and on-demand courses and webinars for dog owners and pet professionals.

Two Masters Class Certificate Programs!