What you need

Toilet-roll tubes
Your pet's regular food or kibble
Small treats — optional
Cardboard box — optional

How to do it

Fold one end of an empty toilet-roll or paper-towel tube shut.
Drop in a few pieces of kibble or small treats, then fold the other end shut.
Hand it to your dog and let them shake, chew and tear it open.
Pick up the cardboard pieces as soon as the food is out.
Box version: poke holes slightly bigger than the treats in a small empty box, put the treats inside and close it.

⚠️ Safety

Supervision: Stay with your pet the whole time.

AKC says these are meant to be used under supervision and to make sure your dog doesn't eat the bits of cardboard that fall off. Skip this one for a dog that swallows cardboard. If you use a spread such as peanut butter, check the label for xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

👀 What to watch for

Most dogs love the tearing. If your dog guards the tube or growls when you come near, give it in a separate room and pick up the pieces only after they have left.

Sources

Last checked November 3, 2026. These activities are for healthy pets — if yours has a health or behavior condition, ask your vet which games suit them.

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