Play & enrichment
Little guides for a lovelier life together: what a puzzle toy does for a busy mind, how to choose a bed, a feeder or a harness, and the finds we think are worth a closer look. Written to be useful whether or not you buy anything.
How to Clean a Lick Mat, Snuffle Mat and Puzzle Feeder
Rinse a lick mat right after use, scrub its grooves with a soft brush in warm soapy water, then let it dry fully. Snuffle mats get shaken out and washed gently; puzzles come apart and get hand washed.
Cat Tunnels and Play Mats Explained: Types, Setup and Safety
A cat tunnel gives an indoor cat a place to hide, pounce and nap. Pick crinkle, multi-way, felt donut or a play mat by how your cat likes to play, then set it up by a wall with a toy inside.
Cat Toy Myths vs Facts: 8 Things to Know About Indoor Play
String needs supervision, laser games should end on a catchable toy, not every cat reacts to catnip and one toy rarely holds interest. Eight cat toy myths, checked.
Types of Dog Toys: A Plain Glossary, Grouped by How Dogs Play
Dog toys fall into a few play types: cuddle and shake (plush), pull (rope and tug), chase (balls, discs, flirt poles), work (puzzles and treat toys) and chew. Here is what each name means.
How to Keep a Dog Busy While at Work: A Gentle Daily Routine
Tire the nose and body before you go, hand over a long-lasting chew or frozen lick mat at the door, rotate puzzles, and break up the day with a midday visit.
Best Toys for Kittens by Age and Play Style: A Gentle Guide
The best kitten toys match the kitten's age and how it likes to play: light balls and soft kickers for tiny paws, wands for pouncers, puzzles once it is steady. Here is how to choose.
Cat Window Perch Guide: Hammocks, Sill Seats and Cat TV Setup
Pick a cat window perch by your glass and sill: suction-cup hammocks for smooth single panes, sill seats for deep ledges, shelves or a tree for a route. Then give the view something to watch.
Herding Dog Toys and Play: A Guide for Collies, Aussies and Corgis
Herding breeds were bred to gather and move livestock, so they love games with a job: pushing a big ball, chasing a flirt pole lure, catching a disc and working out puzzles.
Chew Toys for Strong Chewers: Materials, Sizes and Wear
No chew toy is indestructible. For a strong chewer, match the material to how your dog chews, size up so it cannot be swallowed, rotate toys and bin any that crack or shed pieces.
An Indoor Cat Play Routine: Wands, Tunnels, Perches, Puzzles
The best enrichment toys for indoor cats work as a daily routine: a wand to chase, a tunnel to ambush from, a window perch to watch and a puzzle to find food in.
Dog Puzzle Toys by Level: From First Puzzle to Expert Games
Start most dogs on a Level 1 puzzle with one move per treat, then step up only when they solve it quickly and calmly. Here is what each level asks and which toys fit.
Snuffle Mat vs Lick Mat: How Each One Keeps a Dog Busy
A snuffle mat hides dry kibble in fabric so your dog hunts with its nose; a lick mat holds soft food in a textured pad so your dog licks it out slowly. Pick by the food and the moment.