RECIPES

Why is enrichment good for your dog?

To be happy, healthy and well behaved our dogs need to exercise their brains as well as their bodies.  Dogs have evolved to have natural foraging instincts but because we feed them in bowls, they no longer need to "work" for their food.  This can lead to boredom and bad behavior.  It also leads to eating too fast which is bad for dogs digestion.  Enrichment products like SodaPup emats, etrays and ecoins are all designed to stimulate your dogs brains and slow down their eating.  This can help avoid over-eating and unhealthy weight gain. It can also keep your dog busy and engaged while you're away and can even reduce separation anxiety by distracting your dog when you leave the house.

Enrichment Recipes and Foods

Here at SodaPup we are experts at creating enrichment products but we are not nutrition experts.  However, we have been inspired by so many of you who have embraced our products and taken enrichment recipes to new heights!

Honestly, it can be a bit intimidating.  So, if you look at these pages and think oh my goodness, don't worry.  You're not alone!  If I'm being perfectly honest, the best I can do most of the time is  spread a little peanut butter on our products.  And you know what?  Our dogs love it!  So, don't be too tough on yourself.  We hope that the recipes below give you inspiration but no perspiration!  Your dog's brain will benefit greatly from enrichment and slow feeding regardless of how simple or complicated you make it! 

(Skip to the bottom for a list of dog-friendly foods.)

FRUIT SPLASH

Enrichment Tool - Blue Jigsaw eMat - FULL MEAL

Spreadables: turkey spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: apple, spinach, orange, pear, quail egg, Queenfish bites & goat trachea.

SURF AND TURF

Enrichment Tool - Green Jigsaw eMat - FULL MEAL

Spreadables: chicken spread, Greek yoghurt with blue spirulina

Snacks and Superfood Additions: salmon, fresh strawberry, fresh cucumber, superfood jelly's and a prawn chip.

 

RASPBERRY KISSES

Enrichment Tool - Purple Bones eMat - SNACK

Spreadables: Greek yoghurt

Snacks and Superfood Additions: fresh raspberries and chicken jerky.

BEEF EXTRAVAGANZA-ALA-GANZA

Enrichment Tool - Honeycomb eMat - FULL MEAL

Spreadables: greek yoghurt, diced chicken breast

Snacks and Superfood Additions: beef meal topper

 

FRUIT DREAM

Enrichment tool - Purple Bones eMat - FULL MEAL

Spreadables: Greek yoghurt, turkey spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: blueberries, frozen red dragonfruit, Blueberry & Blue Spirulina Superfood Jelly, Pineapple, Mango and Tumeric Superfood Jelly and Bee Pollen.

 

BLUE EXPLOSION

Enrichment Tool - Large Green Can Toy - SNACK

Spreadables: Greek yoghurt mixed with blue spirulina

Snacks and Superfood Additions: blueberries, jerky and bee pollen. 

 

 

RETRO BLAST

Enrichment tool - Pink Retro Van - SNACK

Spreadables: Greek yoghurt mixed with blue spirulina and Greek yoghurt mixed with tumeric powder

Snacks and Superfood Additions: quail egg and bee pollen.

 

 

FISH OUT OF YOGHURT

Enrichment tool - Magnum Gear - SNACK

Spreadables: Greek yoghurt mixed with smashed blueberries

Snacks and Superfood Additions: One Small Oily Fish!

 

SMASH PASH

Enrichment Tool - Blue Jigsaw eMat - FULL MEAL

Spreadables: lamb spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: simply seaweed, quail egg and smashed red dragonfruit.

BLUBERRIES AND SCREAM

Enrichment Tool - Cross Bone Treat Pocket - SNACK

Spreadables: Greek yoghurt

Snacks and Superfood Additions: beef jerky and blueberries.

 

TURK-NUT

Enrichment Tool - Nylon Turkey - SNACK

Spreadables: peanut butter and turkey spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: Nil.

 

O-RANGE PAWLIGHT

Enrichment Tool - Double Trouble - SNACK

Spreadables: blended orange with ice (icy consistency)

Snacks and Superfood Additions: blueberries, meal topper and beef jerky 

 

 

GET IN THE VAN

Enrichment tool - Retro Van - SNACK

Spreadables: chicken spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: cubed white dragonfruit, a raspberry and meal topper

 

SMASHED UP

Enrichment Tool - Red Bone eMat - SNACK

Spreadables: smashed white dragonfruit

Snacks and Superfood Additions: grated carrot and smashed blueberries

CHICKEN HAWAIIAN

Enrichment Tool - Green Jigsaw eMat - SMALL MEAL

Spreadables: fresh chicken breast

Snacks and Superfood Additions: fresh diced pineapple and strawberry

MEAT AND TWO FRUITS

Enrichment Tool - Corn On The Cob - MEAL

Spreadables: beef spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: blueberries and strawberries.

 

 

FROZEN DELIGHT

Enrichment tool - Large Lemon Lime Can Toy - MEAL

Spreadables: Greek yoghurt and lamb spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: fresh scotch fillet

 

BANANA-RAMZA

Enrichment tool - Blue Jigsaw eMat - FULL MEAL

Spreadables: lamb spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: banana

 

FISH AND STRAWBZ

Enrichment tool - Pink Jigsaw eMat - FULL MEAL

Spreadables: beef spread

Snacks and Superfood Additions: prawns (cooked), strawberry, salmon, Greek yoghurt, meal topper

Please feed your dog a balanced diet consult a dog nutritionist if you have questions about what is right for your dog.

Below we break down foods into the following enrichment groups; Spreadables - this will form the base of your enrichment. Snacks & Superfood Additions - what you can add to your dog's enrichment!

Spreadables (your base)

Spreadables are your typical base level or "filler". Depending on the enrichment tool you're using, whether this be an eMat lick mat or one of our many treat dispensers - these will typically make up a portion of what you're using. Note, when using enrichment for full meals, this is where raw or kibble will be utilized.

Greek Yoghurt - any brand. Ensure unsweetened Greek and not a flavour / sweetened.

Cottage Cheese - any brand

Raw Dog Food - consult your vet before using raw.  There are handling and storing considerations

Eggs - chicken, quail and duck eggs are good choices

Peanut Butter - You need to be careful with Peanut Butter.  Do not use peanut butter that contains xylitol. It is dangerous for dogs.  If unsure, buy doggy peanut butter from your pet store. 

Banana - mashed up

Cucumbers - shredded and mixed with Cottage Cheese is a favourite

Carrot - shredded and mixed with Greek Yoghurt is a favourite

Pumpkin - cooked and pureed

Sweet Potato - cooked and pureed

Snacks & Superfood Additions

Meat:

There are so many proteins that dog's can eat. Mixing it up is ideal for your dog's well being, ensuring they get a mixture of essential vitamins and nutrients. We do not recommend in any capacity feeding dogs a vegan diet. These are the common proteins we use:

Beef

Lamb

Chicken

Turkey

Goat

Venison

Seafood:

Seafood dog's can eat - there is a lot! Probably a lot more than you were thinking. Here's a list of our favourites:

Squid (raw or cooked)

Scallops (cooked only)

Lobster (cooked)

Prawns (cooked)

Salmon - (raw or cooked). If feeding raw, freeze for 6 weeks prior. This kills any parasites. Remove any bones.

Crab (cooked)

Oysters - (cook, remove shell)

Sardines - (raw or cooked)

Flounder - Grill fillets for your dog

While this is a great list of healthy seafood, avoid anything with long lifespans - such as Tuna or Swordfish. These are more likely to contain amounts of heavy metal due to pollution which can have serious negative benefits.

Vegetables:

Veggies and fruit are a dog's best friend too! Who would have thought? Dog's are omnivores and have eaten both meat and plants for thousands of years. 

Kale - mixed into your meal or pureed

Spinach - mixed into your meal or pureed

Beetroot - grated

Carrots - grated or cut into small pieces

Green Beans - cut in half

Celery - cut into small pieces

Broccoli - cut into small pieces

Brussel Sprouts - (cook - boil)

Sweet Corn - small amounts

Cauliflower - grated or cut into small pieces

Fruit:

Pears - cut into small pieces

Oranges - cut into small pieces

Apples - cut into small pieces

Blueberries - added on top or pressed into grooves

Raspberries - added on top or pressed into grooves

Blackberries - added on top or pressed into grooves

Watermelon - remove all seeds, cut into pieces

Mango - no skin and no pit. Serious choking hazard. Cut into pieces

Papaya - absolutely no seeds. Cut into pieces

Strawberries - added on top or pressed into grooves

Rockmelon - absolutely no seeds. Cut into pieces

Superfoods:

Doggy Jelly - prepare in different moulds

Goji Berries - serving size already (sprinkle over or mix in)

Chia Seeds - serving size already (sprinkle over or mix in)

Dragonfruit - cut into small pieces

Blue Spirulina - add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above

Green Spirulina - add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above

Beetroot Powder - add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above

Cumin Powder - add to meals as powder, or mix with your spreadables above

FOODS YOU SHOULD NOT FEED YOUR DOG

These things should NOT be fed to your dog

Avocado
Grapes
Raisins
Onions/Garlic
Macadamia nuts
Xylitol
Chocolate
Fat trimmings, bones from your food

*Consult your vet before making changes to your dog’s diet.