Independent buying guides for apartment pet owners

Buying guide

Indoor Enrichment

Updated How we research

Beat boredom without more square footage. The page is split into three sections (Slow-lick calm sessions; Foraging fun for dogs; Interactive cat play), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.

A collection of wooden puzzle toys arranged on a modern table in an indoor setting, perfect for encouraging intellectual play
Photo: https://kaboompics.com/ on Pexels

The short version

We compared 12 picks. Our scores range from 7.4 to 8.4 out of 10.

Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score

All 12 picks, ranked by our score

Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.

Tick up to 3 picks to compare them side by side.
Lick Mat for Dogs - Slow Feeder Licking Mat with Suction Cups for Peanut Butter, Food Treats & Yogurt, 2 Pack#1
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A 2 Pack of dog lick mats with suction cups, slow feeder licking pads for peanut butter, yogurt and treats.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10

  • + 2 Pack lets you keep one frozen and one ready to use
  • + Suction cups hold the mat to tubs or tiles during bath time
  • + Great for calming dogs during grooming or alone time
  • - Suction cups do not stick to grout or textured surfaces
  • - Heavy chewers may tear the mat if left unsupervised
Go Cat Cat Catcher Teaser Wand with Mouse Cat Toy#2
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Go Cat's Cat Catcher teaser wand with a mouse toy, a classic interactive wand for daily play sessions.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10

  • + Mouse on a flexible wire mimics real prey movement
  • + Go Cat Cat Catcher is a long-favored wand among cat owners
  • + Wand lets you play without hands getting scratched
  • - Mouse attachment wears out with enthusiastic hunters
  • - Must be stored away after play so cats do not chew the line
PET ARENA Snuffle Mat for Dogs - Adjustable Interactive Puzzle Toy Slow Feeder for Mental Stimulation#3
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PET ARENA's adjustable snuffle mat puzzle toy and slow feeder for mental stimulation in dogs.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Adjustable design lets you change the challenge level
  • + Doubles as a slow feeder for dogs who gulp food
  • + Keeps dogs busy while owners work from home
  • - Adjustable ties can loosen after heavy pawing
  • - Fabric strips may attract chewing from destructive dogs
AWOOF Snuffle Mat Pet Dog Feeding Mat, 28''x28'' Interactive Dog Puzzle Toy#4
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AWOOF's 28''x28'' snuffle feeding mat, a larger interactive puzzle toy for dogs who love sniffing out kibble.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + 28 by 28 inch mat gives plenty of fleece to hide a full meal
  • + Square size suits medium and large dogs with bigger snouts
  • + Nosework feeding burns energy on days without long walks
  • - Larger mat takes longer to wash and dry than smaller ones
  • - Takes up a good chunk of floor in a compact kitchen
LickiMat Classic Buddy Slow Feeder for Dogs, Boredom & Anxiety Reducer, Green#5
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LickiMat's green Classic Buddy slow feeder, a boredom and anxiety reducer mat for spreading soft food.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10

  • + LickiMat is the original, well-known lick mat brand
  • + Textured surface keeps dogs licking for longer
  • + Flat mat is quick to rinse and store in a drawer
  • - No suction cups, so it slides around on hard floors
  • - Thin mat is not built to survive determined chewers
WOOF LickMat - Easy-to-Clean Lick Mat for Dogs, Non-Slip BPA-Free Silicone, Green#6
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WOOF's green non-slip BPA-free silicone LickMat, designed to be easy to clean for dogs who need calming.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Easy-to-clean silicone goes straight in the dishwasher
  • + BPA-free material is a reassuring choice for food use
  • + Non-slip base keeps it steady on kitchen floors
  • - Green only in this listing, so there is no color choice
  • - Check the mat size fits your dog's tongue and snout
ADUCK Interactive Cat Teaser Wand Toy with Tassels - Durable Cat Chaser for Indoor Kitten, Pack of 3 (Gold, Blue, Pink)#7
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ADUCK's interactive cat teaser wands with tassels, a Pack of 3 in gold, blue and pink for indoor kittens.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10

  • + Pack of 3 gives spares when one wand gets destroyed
  • + Tassel ends flutter and rustle to trigger chasing
  • + Three colors let you rotate toys to keep interest high
  • - Tassels can come loose and should not be left out
  • - Sticks are fixed length, so reach is limited
miwoowim Interactive Cat Wand Toy Set, 2 Telescopic Rods & 11 Attachments#8
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A cat wand set with two telescopic rods and 11 interchangeable attachments including feathers, worms and a plush bird. A varied teaser for indoor play sessions.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10

  • + Two telescopic rods, one extending to 37 inches and one to 49 inches, for different play spaces
  • + 11 interchangeable attachments keep the teaser heads varied
  • + Lightweight rods and a plush bird with feather wings are meant to mimic prey
  • - The listing says it is for supervised play and not for self-play, so it needs your time
  • - Lots of small attachments and strings to store and watch for chewing between sessions
AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs, Interactive Feed Game for Boredom, Encourages Natural Foraging Skills#9
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AWOOF's pet snuffle mat, an interactive feeding game that encourages natural foraging and eases boredom.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Fleece strips hide kibble so dogs sniff and forage for meals
  • + Nosework tires dogs out mentally in a small space
  • + Good rainy-day activity for apartment dogs
  • - Check the mat size suits your dog's snout and paws
  • - Crumbs and oils build up and need regular washing
Rundik Snuffle Mat for Dogs, 17'' x 21'' Dog Sniffing Interactive Feeding Game#10
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Rundik's 17'' x 21'' dog snuffle mat, an interactive sniffing and feeding game for small and medium dogs.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + 17 by 21 inch size fits small spaces and dog crates
  • + Sniffing game provides enrichment without extra noise
  • + Hides kibble or treats to slow down meal time
  • - Smaller mat may be too easy for large, clever dogs
  • - Needs air drying after washing to avoid mildew
ANYPET Slow Feeding Mat, Tray, Dog Lick Pad Anxiety Relief Feeding Mat with Suction#11
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ANYPET's slow feeding mat and tray, a dog lick pad with suction for anxiety relief and slower eating.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Tray shape holds wet food and spreads better than flat mats
  • + Suction grip keeps it in place on smooth surfaces
  • + Doubles as a slow feeder for full meals, not just treats
  • - Tray edges can be harder to scrub than flat mats
  • - Listing is vague on dimensions and material
Interactive Cat Teaser Wand Toys Retractable Fishing Pole Funny Cat Stick with Dangler for Indoor Cats#12
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An interactive retractable fishing pole cat teaser stick with a dangler for indoor cats who love chasing.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Retractable pole extends for longer reach across a room
  • + Dangler toy mimics insects and birds for hunting play
  • + Collapses short for easy storage in a drawer
  • - Check if replacement danglers are sold separately
  • - Telescoping joints can loosen with heavy use

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Apartment Pet Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.