Creating a Feast in Your Garden
Hello, and welcome.
How our dogs consume their food can have a big impact on their enjoyment of it - and on the levels of wonderful hormones, like oxytocin, the eating process can create. This is because our dog’s jaws have been designed for tearing, chewing, and licking their food - not for hoovering up a bowl within a matter of seconds!
Scent also plays a huge part in our dog’s experience when it comes to eating. That’s why it can be so valuable to offer your dog different types of food, especially if you predominantly feed a processed kibble as their main diet - which doesn’t exercise their jaw or their noses.
Another way we can add a feast for our dogs’ senses is by utilising our garden in a creative way! As we’ve already discussed this month, eating outside has benefits for humans and hounds - even better for our dogs when it gives them an outlet for natural foraging behaviours.
Long Grass and Food Scatters
A super simple way to engage your dog’s nose and their minds is to scatter their usual food or some small treats (grated cheese works well!) onto your lawn. Consider keeping a section of your lawn a little longer than usual - this not only benefits your dog’s nose but the insect population. Just remember to keep your lawn free of any chemicals!
The Power of Herbs
Not only does growing herbs in your garden provide you with their delightful scent (and ingredients for your own cooking!), it also allows your dogs an opportunity for selecting their medicinal properties. Using the principles of Zoopharmacognosy (self-selection), herbs can be chosen to rub against or nibble on by our dogs for physical and emotional benefits. Try planting some basil, oregano, mint, or parsley, for example. Just remember to avoid Rosemary if your dog has any epileptic/fitting conditions.
Natural Water Sources
Have you ever noticed how your dog prefers to drink from puddles instead of their water bowl at home? Drinking natural rain water is enjoyed much more by dogs than our chemical-rich tap water. Adding in some natural water sources into your garden, such as upturned troughs to collect rain water or (if you have the space) a flowing stream, will allow them to enjoy the pleasures of natural water - to both drink and play in! Just remember to ensure they’re not also being enjoyed by the local slug/snail population who can carry lung worm.
Start to look at your garden creatively, not only as a space to sit and enjoy the fresh air - but as an opportunity for enrichment of our dogs’ lives. There are so many different ways we can turn our outside spaces into an adventure zone for our dogs.
Until next time, happy gardening!
Caroline