Hey Woofa’s,

Today I want to take some time to talk about Treat Balls!

We use one for Billy and he loves it.  He took to it right away and he uses it everyday.

Treat balls can be used for a few different reasons but the concept is the same.  To keep your dog mentally stimulated and rewarded.

WHAT IS A TREAT BALL?

Basically, a treat ball is a ball that you can put dog treats/food inside of.

Your dog has to use it’s mind (and nose) to figure out how to remove the food.

Treat balls come in all different sizes but the main concept is the same.

Check out some varieties here!

WHY SHOULD I USE A TREAT BALL FOR MY DOG?

We started using a treat ball for Billy because his dry food would sit in his dish and go yucky overnight.  Slugs would crawl over it and it would become weathered.  Local birds would also fly in and eat it!!!

I used to use them for Henry and Isabel, so I found Isabel’s old one and use that for Billy.

Being a single dog he scoffs his meat and veggies down but he likes to nibble on his dry food throughout the day.

By putting his dry food in a treat ball it gives Billy something to do and keeps it fresh.

Using a treat ball for your dog will give them:

• mental stimulation – they have to figure out how to remove the food;
• keeps them occupied;
• relieves a bit of boredom;
• gives them a reward;
• it can be seen as a bit of a game;
• it can also stop your dog from scoffing their dry food.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT TREAT BALL FOR MY DOG?

While the concept of the treat ball is the same – to figure out how to remove the food.

Ask yourself these questions to help you figure out the right kind of treat ball for your dog:-

a) What type of food do you want to put inside the treat ball?

There are treat balls perfect for small dry food, some treat balls have two holes for a longer harder treat to go through, other treat balls you can put in the freezer and use as an ice-block on a warm day.

We chose one so we could put Billy’s dry food in it, save it sitting out in his dish all day.

b) What size is your Dog’s mouth?

Size does matter when choosing a treat ball for your dog.  You don’t want a treat ball that your dog could potentially swallow.

You want a treat ball that they can either roll to get the food out or hold in their paws.

The idea is for it to hold the food and your dog has to figure out how to remove the food.

You don’t want them to be able to pick it up in their mouth.

Billy can’t put his treat ball in his mouth like he does with the ball we use to play with.

His treat ball is purely for his dry food and that’s it.

c) What is the texture of the treat ball?

The texture of the ball matters because you don’t want your dog to be able to chew the actual ball.

Billy’s treat ball is a super hard plastic, he can bang it around, roll it around and it doesn’t get damaged.

You don’t have to use one treat ball, you could get one for the dry food and use another type for a hot summers day as an ice block etc

You have to choose what works for you and your dog.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

Treat balls can be fun and rewarding for your dog.

They can also keep your dog occupied, stimulated and rewarded all at the same time.

Billy uses one and he loves it.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LOVE TO KNOW – WHETHER YOU USE A TREAT BALL FOR YOUR DOG?

Cheers