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8 Indoor Dog Enrichment Toys for Scorching Hot Days

Three dogs playing with enrichment toys
Kong/Outward Hound/Outward Hound

Dogs are curious creatures by nature and they love to have something to do. That’s why it’s important to provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them stimulated both physically and mentally. When the weather is too hot to play outside, these indoor dog enrichment toys will keep your pup entertained and cool all day long.

A KONG Classic

A Kong toy and a dog with a Kong toy
Kong

The KONG Classic is the perfect toy for dogs who love to play and chew. This red rubber toy satisfies your dog’s instinctual needs while providing mental stimulation, making it the perfect way to encourage healthy play.

The unpredictable bounce of the KONG Classic makes it perfect for fetch and other interactive games, while the stuffable design means that you can fill it with your dog’s favorite treats and freeze it for even more chilled-out fun. It’s also dishwasher safe, making it easy to keep clean.

KONG Classic Dog Toy

The holy grail of toys for every dog owner.

A PetSafe Chilly Penguin Toy

A dog plays with a frozen toy
PetSafe

The PetSafe Chilly Penguin Toy is a fun way to keep your dog’s favorite frozen treats on hand. This toy holds flavored water, broth, peanut butter, yogurt, or wet dog food in its cute snowflake-shaped compartment. Freezing it allows your dog to cool off while enjoying the contents and extends their playtime.

The toy can be easily cleaned by putting it in the top rack of your dishwasher. The durable rubber construction and rounded base make the Chilly Penguin a safe and satisfying toy for your dog.

PetSafe Chilly Penguin Toy

Fill this with liquid and freeze.

A Dog Licking Mat

A dog and a cat use a licking mat
Ulmpp

If you’re looking for a safe way to keep your dog entertained, look no further than this dog licking mat. Made with BPA-free silicone, this mat is completely safe for your pup to lick off whatever you smear on it and freeze, whether it’s peanut butter, canned food, raw dog food, yogurt, or pumpkin purée.

The 72 powerful suction cups on the back help secure it on a smooth and clean surface, and with raised edges to prevent food from spreading, this mat prevents your dog from making a mess. Best of all, the licking motion helps calm and soothe your pet to release endorphins, making it a great choice for anxious pets.

Dog Licking Mat

Reduce anxiety and boredom with these mats.

An Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle

A dog plays with a puzzle toy
Outward Hound

Puzzles are a great way to keep your dog’s brain challenged and engaged. This popular Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle comes with three different types of treat hiding compartments, each designed to test your furry friend’s skills. The flip lid compartments open to reveal two separate treat hiding spots, while the removable brick bones conceal the third hidden compartment.

For an added challenge, fill some of the compartments with water or broth and freeze the entire puzzle before giving it to your dog. This fun and rewarding toy is great for reducing anxious dog behavior and redirecting destructive behavior.

Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle

Fill the compartments of this toy and freeze it to give your dog some fun.

A Nylabone Chill and Chew Dog Chew Toy

A puppy chews on a toy
Nylabone

If you have a puppy or a small dog, get them this Nylabone Chill and Chew Dog Chew Toy. The soft toy is made with a material that is designed specifically for teething puppies and features delicious lamb and apple flavor throughout.

After freezing, this toy will give your pup a soothing treat to chew on. The textured toy also features dental nubs to help clean teeth and prevent plaque and tartar build-up.

Nylabone Chill and Chew Dog Chew Toy

Freeze this toy for teething puppies and gentle chewers.

A West Paw Puzzle Treat Toy

Two dogs chew on rubber puzzle toys
West Paw

This is a different kind of puzzle toy for dogs who love a challenge. The West Paw Puzzle Treat Toy is meant for you to slide a long, narrow treat inside for your dog to dig out.

With the right treat selection, your dog will spend hours trying to work a treat out of this durable rubber toy. For an extra cooling effect, spread peanut butter or yogurt on a treat before sliding it inside the toy and freezing the entire thing. The easy-to-grasp shape also makes it perfect for playing fetch.

West Paw Puzzle Treat Toy

Your dog will spend ages trying to get a treat out of this toy.

An Outward Hound Slow Feeder Bowl

A dog eats out of a slow feeder bowl
Outward Hound

This slow feeder bowl is designed for dogs that inhale their food. Eating too fast can cause digestive issues and boating, and feeding them with this bowl can significantly slow them down.

It also works well as an enrichment toy. Simply fill it with dog food like normal and pour water or broth on top before freezing. After a few hours, you’ll have an activity that will take your dog ages to finish.

Outward Hound Slow Feeder Bowl

Slow down feeding for hours of enrichment.

A LickiMat Wobble Slow Feeder

A dog eats out of a bowl
LickiMat

As the name suggests, the LickiMat Wobble Slow Feeder is a cross between a licking mat and a slow feeder bowl. The unique wobbling action of the feeder adds an extra challenge for your pet as they try to lick their food from the surface, prolonging the mealtime experience and providing hours of fun and enrichment.

Spread the inside of the bowl with wet ingredients like yogurt or canned pumpkin, or soak kibble until it turns into a paste and use that before freezing. Your dog will stay cool and busy for hours as they enjoy this treat.

LickiMat Wobble

Combine a lick mat and a slow feeder bowl for the ultimate enrichment toy.


It may be getting hot outside, but that doesn’t mean your pup has to miss out on some good playtime. These dog enrichment toys will keep your furry friend entertained and mentally stimulated all day long.

Anne Taylor Anne Taylor
Anne Taylor is a writer with a BA in Journalism and a passion for storytelling. Her work has been published on a variety of websites including Mental Floss and Well + Good, and she recently published her first novel, What it Takes to Lose. When she's not writing, Anne loves to travel (19 countries and counting), spend time outside, and play with her dog, Pepper. Read Full Bio »
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