In my last post about essential products for apartment dogs, I mentioned that I’d share exactly what I use to fill my dog’s interactive toys. Here it is: the real stuff I use every week, straight from my kitchen and from a couple of brands I genuinely trust.
Why what you put inside matters
Interactive toys like lick mats, Kongs, and snuffle mats only work if your dog actually wants to engage with them. The right filling makes the difference between a toy your dog ignores and one that keeps her busy for 20 solid minutes while you get things done. In an apartment, 20 minutes is everything.
What I use for lick mats
Lick mats are one of my favorite tools for apartment life because they’re calming — the repetitive licking actually reduces stress and anxiety in dogs. Here’s what I spread on them:
🫙 Plain Greek Yogurt
High in protein, dogs love it. Make sure it’s plain with no xylitol; always check the label. I use a small spoonful of this one, and I spread it across the mat. Feel free to use any brand you want from your favorite grocery store, or you can also do it yourself at home, but it does take some time.
🥜 Peanut Butter
The classic. Dogs go absolutely crazy for it. Again: no xylitol. I look for brands with just peanuts and natural ingredients on the ingredient list. I like this one, but if you want to buy any other one, read the label. Or even better, you can do it yourself, 100% homemade!
🍎 Mashed Apple
Great natural option. Remove the seeds and core first: apple seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide. Cut it into small pieces or mash it slightly so it spreads easily on the mat. Or you can use Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce if you feel that it will be easier to spread.
🧊 Frozen combos
My favorite trick: mix yogurt + peanut butter, spread on the lick mat, and freeze for 2 hours. It lasts 3x longer and gives your dog a cooling treat, specially on summer!
⚠️ Important: Always check that peanut butter and yogurt do NOT contain xylitol; it’s toxic to dogs. Brands like Jif Natural and Chobani plain are safe options, but even if you want to use any other brand, read the label.
What I use for the Kong
For the Kong, I use Crumps’ Naturals Mini Trainers; they’re small enough to fit inside, and my dog goes absolutely wild for them. I stuff a few inside the Kong along with a little peanut butter to seal them in. She has to work to get them out, which keeps her focused for a good chunk of time.
What I love about those treats specifically is that the ingredients are clean — no artificial colors, no fillers. For a dog with food allergies (like mine), that matters a lot.
What I use for snuffle mats
When I use snuffle-style enrichment, I mix a small handful of her regular dry kibble with a few of her favorite small treats and scatter them through. The combination of familiar food and exciting treats keeps her nose working overtime.
The key with snuffle mats is to not make it too easy! The point is the hunt, not just the eating. Mixing kibble with treats means she’s rewarded often enough to stay motivated but has to keep searching.
💡 Pro tip: Use snuffle mat time right before a meal, when your dog is hungriest; they are most motivated to work for their food. It also slows down fast eaters naturally.
My go-to rotation
Here’s how I actually use these throughout the week so it stays fresh and my dog doesn’t get bored:
- Monday / Wednesday: Lick mat with frozen yogurt + peanut butter — I prep these Sunday night so they’re ready to grab from the freezer.
- Tuesday / Thursday: Kong stuffed with treats and a little peanut butter to seal it.
- Friday: Kibble + treats scattered on a snuffle mat or hidden around the apartment for a mini scavenger hunt.
- Weekends are rest days from enrichment toys. Usually a longer walk or extra playtime instead. I also use Sunday evening to prep the week’s lick mats for the freezer and meal prep the add-ons that I put in her food.
Rotating keeps her engaged and prevents her from figuring out the “trick” too fast. A mentally tired apartment dog is a calm, happy dog.
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