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Brain Games for Pets: Go Beyond Tug-of-War and Fetch

UPFRONT/LIVE

Brain Games for Pets

Because fetch and tug-of-war are so basic

WHAT TIRES out dogs more than physical activity? According to PetMD, it’s mental stimulation. And an easy way to provide that is with a treat-rewarding puzzle toy.

With these toys, “dogs get to forage and problem-solve on how to attain their food, which is a very natural dog behavior,” says Allie Bender, coauthor of Canine Enrichment for the Real World.

Cats can get in on the fun too. Bender recommends a toy that flips and moves: These turn your cat into “a little physicist, having to figure out the trajectory of where the toy is going to be after it flips. Plus, it’s fun to watch.” —Maisy Fernandez

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