We received two products to review from The Company of Animals, but at Daily Dog Tag, we only review and promote products that we use ourselves. This post contains affiliate links. The Company of Animals is not responsible for the content of this post.
Puzzle toys are great for dogs. We’ve used them for years to help manage our dogs’ mealtimes and keep them entertained when we go out. Puzzle toys provide mental stimulation and can help prevent a dog from eating too fast. I think they also maintain a dog from over-eating. I’m excited to have partnered with The Company of Animals to give one away! The winner will have a choice between two great puzzles. 
When we adopted Theo, he was ten pounds overweight. We modified his diet, played active games with him, and helped him get to a healthy weight.
He has always been a fast eater. He gulped down his food so fast that I worried he might choke. After he finished eating his food, he’d rush over and try to eat Nelly’s. I figured out if I turned his bowl upside down, it would slow him down.
This trick helped considerably, but the day he received his slow feeder bowl was a real game-changer. Theo is now the last dog to finish eating his meal, which cuts down considerably on the chaos.
In addition to the slow feeder bowl, we have some other puzzle toys that we use, including our DIY treat dispenser. I love watching my three dogs interact differently with the same object.
Nina Ottoson’s Beginner Dog Puzzle really shows off their individual styles. 
Nelly first sniffs and determines if there is something under the bone if so, she digs at the bone until it comes off. She eats whatever is there, and then finds the next stash. Nelly is confident in her nose and will leave some bones in place if she can’t smell anything. (I do leave some empty.) Theo also sniffs first, but he picks up the bone with his mouth and sets it aside. Sophie turns into our little Tasmanian Devil, and frantically removes all the bones in no particular method. In her excitement to find everything, she will often overlook a piece of kibble and always removes all the bones. I’m not sure if it is because she is thorough, or if it is a side effect of her enthusiasm for the game.
We also have the Buster Dog Maze, which is very large for my small dogs, but they enjoy it.
The food often ends up on the floor, but my dogs don’t mind eating off the floor. A disadvantage to this bowl (for our family) is if a piece of kibble gets far away, another dog might try and get it, and my dogs don’t like sharing their meals. I think this would be great for a big dog who is either an only dog or doesn’t mind sharing. It can Theo over fifteen minutes to eat breakfast out of this, compared to less than a minute in a regular bowl.
I have my eye on Nina Ottoson’s advanced puzzle toy to add to our collection. The brown squares slide to reveal the hidden treats. I’m curious to see if Theo uses his nose (which is what I predict, or his paws.)
The Green Slow Feeder is appropriate for both dry and wet food and is dishwasher safe. It comes in two sizes. We haven’t tried this one yet, but it looks like it would be great to prevent bloat.
Each of my dogs also has a Kong that I give them occasionally to keep them entertained if they are going to be in their crate a while. I do keep them separated whenever I give them something that is of high value since they chew at different rates.
The Company of Animals offers toys for cats and dogs.
We received two products to review from The Company of Animals, but at Daily Dog Tag, we only review and promote products that we use ourselves. This post contains affiliate links. The Company of Animals is not responsible for the content of this post.
So much more fun than a dish turned upside down (which we do for our dog).
We love puzzle toys too! We have the Green feeder that you mentioned above–I’m a big fan, and I think it slows Nala down more than any other feeder we’ve tried.
Still, I think her favorite puzzle toys are the ones she gets to push and throw around, like her Planet Dog Snoop or Starmark Bob-a-Lot.
We don’t have any….yet! If we don’t win, I’ll have to get them one for Christmas!
I’ve heard of these, but I didn’t realize how fun they could be, seeing your dogs play with them in different ways! Matilda’s a smart cookie, I wonder if she’d be able to work these, and how long it would take.
I bet it wouldn’t take her long! They offer suggestions to help your dog figure it out, but mine figured it out on their own. I believe they make some more complicated ones as well.
We have a Dog Magic that my dogs love, but we have had it for years. It is not much of a challenge anymore.
I really want to get a puzzle toy for Khloee to try. I don’t think Wynston would be interested but I think Khloee would really love it! It’d be good to keep her occupied for a bit, that’s for sure.
It is great for dogs who are food motivated!
No, but we sure would like to win one to try out.
My dogs Love puzzle toys! My Husky really needs the mental stimulation to keep her from boredom.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
These puzzles look so good. Kilo the Pug is a very fast eater so I turn his bowl upside down and use various slow feeders and puzzles. I also give him smaller meals more often and add a little liquid to lick. We have to watch his weight as he gets such pleasure from food.
My Boston Terrier, Noelle, has a couple puzzle toys. The problem is, she figures them out way too fast. I’d love to have one of these to give her more variety.
Rosie loves puzzle toys. Some of them are too easy so having the Dog Magic would be wonderful. It looks like a great toy that will keep Rosie busy for a while.
I have looked at several puzzles but haven’t bought one yet. I’d love to win one! ☺
These seem like some great puzzles and lots of fun! I’ve never bought one for Simba…but I’ve been thinking about it. I’d love to win 🙂
I never really thought much about puzzle with food and slowing down eating! But, it really makes sense! I love it!
I have the Small Dog/Cat Pyramid by Nina Ottosson that mt dogs & cats share & they JUST LOVE IT!! My furbabies would LOVE it if I won because they would have SO MUCH FUN with either of them!! Thank you for the opportunity 🙂
Love Nina puzzles! We would buy them all if we could!
These are PAWESOME games, thanks so much for sharing! My brother Enzo needs the slow feed bowls! We have one, but he’s figured it out so it doesn’t slow him down quite as much these days. We’ll definitely be looking into these, and entering the giveaway too. <3 #Liv
That settles it – I’ve gotta get my boys a couple food toys! These look sturdy and appropriately challenging for a corgi who likes to eat. 🙂 I especially like the brick.
Great post! Zoe is a puzzle toy addict and her favorite is the Kong Wobbler. Phoenix is just learning to love puzzle toys and she really likes the Soft Buster Cube we just got to try! The giveaway looks awesome and I will be sure to enter!
Brain games are great for Sparkle, she loves them. We want to try the one where you slide the bricks, she doesn’t have one like that. My daughter’s dog has a slow feed bowl, but I may suggest to her to try a game for a change for her little “chow-down” pup! Great article!
Mr. N loves food toys. I take some to the shelter that he volunteers at and explain to the kids that those are his “puzzles” and toys.
We are big Nina O game fans here and have many of her games – I think almost all of them. Rumor has it she has some new ones coming out, as we are Facebook friends. Dex is a mega addict to them.
They are a lot sturdier than I expected them to be. I’m definitely a fan too!
These puzzles are fun! I think Loki and Dibs will like this.
We have the maze bowl for Rooney and its definitely makes eating more of an activity!
I’ve had a few dogs take to a buster cube before. So cute.
Ours haven’t tried any puzzle toys aside from Kongs.
My dog has a toy where you put treats in at the top and she has to hit it to get them to go to the bottom. That’s probably here favorite puzzle toy.
we have some zogoflex toys that hide treats – but not for very long, my dogs figured them out real fast
We have no puzzle toys yet.