What does “Ditch the Bowl” mean?
Ditching the bowl means to stop feeding your dog out of a food dish! (Keep the water dishes as they are please!!) Your dog still eats his/her daily allowance of food, but NOT out of your typical food bowl. I recommend every single pet parent to incorporate this into his/her life!
Why would I do this?
To help your family – both two and four legged members! Ditching the bowl can help with ANY and ALL behavior issues or prevent them from beginning in the first place. Dogs are living, breathing organisms with the ability to think and problem solve, the need to engage and burn energy, and many times even the drive to work. By providing them their food in a bowl for free, we are taking away countless opportunities to meet those needs.
Furthermore, dogs are classified as “contra-freeloading”, meaning in most cases they prefer to work for food versus obtain the same food for free. Check out this article and this one for more info!
How do I feed my dog?
There are countless ways you can feed your pup. This lifestyle can work for anyone, regardless of any time, financial, or physical restraints! Some popular ideas include slow feeder bowls, food dispensing toys, puzzle toys, snuffle mats, DIY devices, and personal interactions such as training or games. There are so many amazing resources out there with ideas.
- Facebook group with thousands of ideas: Canine Enrichment
- Blog with beautiful creations: Bindi’s Bucket List
- Great for beginners!: Kong Box Subscription & Tips
Join the Challenge!
If you’re like me and love a challenge, then challenge yourself to ditch the bowl for an entire week! Seven days, zero food bowls. I guarantee you will see the benefits in this short time. Check out the Ditch the Bowl posts for more tips and tricks!
