food puzzles
Mental mealtime challenges
Food puzzles are devices that require an animal to solve a problem or manipulate an object to access treats or meals.
Used primarily for pets and zoo animals, they provide mental stimulation and slow down eating: The dog's food puzzle keeps her occupied for twenty minutes.
Also called puzzle feeders or enrichment toys.
- stimulationEvoking a response
- enrichmentImprovement through addition
- reward systemMechanism reinforcing desired behaviors
- training aidsDevices supporting skill acquisition
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
discovery · prey drive · engagement · chew toy · persistence · instinctual behavior · interactive · novelty · slow feeder · treat dispenser · cognitive challenge · mazes · hungers · foraging · nose work · hide and seek · positive reinforcement · animal cognition