How to keep your dog occupied when left alone at home?

To keep a dog occupied while left alone at home, treat-dispensing enrichment toys, licking mats and snuffle mats are the most effective solutions, since they engage a dog's nose and mind for longer than a classic toy, helping it stay calm during your absence.

1. Why boredom is a problem for a dog left alone

A dog that is bored for several hours can develop troublesome behaviours: barking, chewing on objects, repeated licking, agitation when the owner returns. This is not a lack of discipline, but often simply a lack of mental and physical stimulation suited to the length of time alone. Offering an activity that occupies the dog from the start limits these behaviours and makes the time apart easier for it.

2. Treat-dispensing enrichment toys

These toys ask the dog to handle, roll or chew an object to release treats or part of its ration:

• A treat puzzle engages the dog's thinking, as it has to work out how to reach the reward.
• A treat-dispensing ball combines physical play with gradual food release, useful for a fairly active dog.
• A snuffle plush toy hides small items to find, a good first step for a dog new to this type of game.

Browse all the models in the enrichment and interactive toys collection.

3. The licking mat

A licking mat is a silicone surface with raised patterns where you spread a little pâté, dog-safe cream cheese, or pureed treats. The dog licks the surface for several minutes to get it all, a repetitive activity that has a soothing effect on many dogs, a bit like a calm activity before a nap. A silicone licking mat is easy to clean in the dishwasher and can be used daily.

4. The snuffle mat

A snuffle mat reproduces a dog's natural behaviour, searching for food hidden in strips of fabric or folds, much like it would while foraging through grass or leaves outdoors. A snuffle and licking mat combines both principles in one activity, handy for variety without buying multiple accessories.

To start, hide a few kibbles from the usual ration rather than extra treats, especially if your dog tends to gain weight easily.

5. Matching the activity to how long you will be away

Length of absence	Suitable type of activity
Less than 2 hours	A simple treat toy is usually enough, alongside a short walk before leaving
2 to 4 hours	A licking mat or snuffle mat, which occupy the dog longer and have a calming effect
More than 4 hours	As a general guide, it is better to plan a break (a walk, a visit from a relative or a pet sitter) rather than relying on a toy alone

These are general guidelines: a puppy or an older dog copes less well with long periods alone than a healthy adult dog, and every dog has its own tolerance threshold for boredom.

6. A few precautions before leaving your dog alone with a toy

• Test a new toy while you are present before leaving the dog with it unsupervised, to check it does not break into small pieces that could be swallowed.
• Rotate toys between absences to keep the dog's interest over time.
• Adjust the amount of food hidden in mats or toys by taking it out of the daily ration, to avoid unintentional overfeeding.
• For a dog that is still bored despite these activities, or that shows marked signs of anxiety when you leave (trembling, excessive drooling, significant destruction), a veterinarian or a dog behaviourist can assess the situation.

7. Gradually getting a puppy or dog used to being alone, then rotating activities

A dog that has never learned to be alone can panic even with the best toy available. This is learned step by step:

• Start with very short absences, just a few minutes, staying nearby (in the garden or on the landing), before gradually increasing the length.
• Set out the toy or licking mat right before leaving, so the dog links your departure to a pleasant moment rather than a source of anxiety.
• Avoid overly dramatic goodbyes: a calm departure and return help the dog not to overreact to the situation.
• Always leave fresh water available during the absence, alongside the chosen activity.

With consistency, most dogs learn to link being alone with a fairly calm moment, especially when it comes with an activity they genuinely enjoy.

Another important point over time: a dog given the same enrichment toy every time eventually loses interest in it. Alternating between treat toys, licking mats and snuffle mats, and putting some toys away between uses so they keep a sense of novelty, helps maintain the dog's interest over the long run. You can also gradually increase the difficulty: a dog that easily masters a simple puzzle can move on to a more complex model to keep stimulating it mentally.

Looking to mix things up? Browse our selection of licking and snuffle mats to keep your dog's activities fresh.