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Day 12: Thoughtful Gift Ideas — DIY, Enrichment & Stocking Builders

25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog Countdown
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Day 12: Thoughtful Gift Ideas — DIY, Enrichment & Stocking Builders

Gifts that engage your dog’s brain give them longer-lasting joy. This post collects DIY ideas, enrichment toys, and stocking stuffer suggestions that prioritize safety and mental stimulation.

🎁 Enrichment & Puzzle Toys

  • Snuffle mats to hide kibble and encourage foraging.
  • Easy food puzzles — rotating toys, muffin-tin puzzles, and treat-dispensing balls.
  • Slow feeder bowls to support digestion and calm eating.

🧶 DIY Gift Ideas

  • Braided fleece tug toys from old T-shirts.
  • Cardboard roll treat puzzles (toilet roll or paper towel tubes).
  • Frozen smoothie pops (plain yogurt + pumpkin + banana in molds).

🎄 Stocking Builders

  • Small puzzle toys, single-ingredient dehydrated chews, lick mats cut into small pieces.
  • Compact scent games or puzzle balls that fit into a stocking pocket.

🛡️ Safety Notes

  • Avoid tiny parts, weak stitching, or anything that can be swallowed whole.
  • Rotate toys to keep novelty high and supervise at first use.


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