Whippets have bursts of energy, a natural prey drive and a sharp mind. While they thrive on running and chasing outdoors, they also need mental and physical stimulation at home to stay balanced and happy. The right toys and games can do more than entertain—they can promote calmness, strengthen your bond, and redirect behaviours like boredom or anxiety into positive outlets.
In this blog we will talk you through toys, games and how to choose the right activity for your whippet.
Why Do Whippets Need Toys and Games?
As sighthounds, Whippets were bred for hunting and chasing, making them natural athletes with strong instincts. Without appropriate outlets for their energy and prey drive, they may develop frustration or engage in unwanted behaviours. Toys and games help fulfil these instincts in a safe and controlled environment while also encouraging mental stimulation.
Toys and games are especially beneficial for:
o High-energy Whippets needing an outlet for their energy
o Whippets with separation anxiety who need distractions
o Older or mobility-restricted Whippets who require gentle, engaging activities
Types of Toys for Whippets
1. Strategy and Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys provide mental stimulation by challenging your Whippet to solve problems to access treats or rewards. These are perfect for keeping their intelligent minds engaged.
Example: Turnaround Strategy Game
The Turnaround Strategy Game is ideal for curious Whippets. Treats are hidden in rotating beakers that your dog must figure out how to turn to release the reward.
•Benefits: Builds focus, sharpens problem-solving skills, and keeps them mentally engaged.
•Perfect For: Older Whippets, blind dogs, or those with limited mobility.
•Tip: Adjust the difficulty by swapping lids with different-sized openings or varying the treat size.
Explore turn-around strategy game here.
2.Chase and Tug Toys
For Whippets with a strong prey drive, chase and tug toys replicate the thrill of hunting and provide a safe way to channel their instincts.
•Why They Work: Chase toys mimic the movement of prey, capturing your Whippet’s attention and satisfying their natural urge to chase and grab.
•How to Play: Practice commands like “stay” and “release” while playing with chase toys to improve focus and recall during high-energy activities.
3. Calming Games and Activities
For moments when your Whippet needs to wind down, calming games are ideal. They promote relaxation, focus, and positive behaviour reinforcement.
•Example: Calming Dog Games Card Deck
This card deck offers 52 quick, enriching activities designed to help your Whippet relax and connect with you.
•Benefits: Encourages calmness, builds attentiveness, and reduces anxiety.
•Perfect For: all dogs but particularly high-energy or anxious Whippets, rescue dogs, and new puppies.
•Tip: Use the “Calm” and “Focus” game categories for settling exercises or to redirect energy during stressful situations.
Check out our calming dog game here.
4. Feeding Toys
Feeding toys can be an effortless way to enrich your whippets daily routine. Utilising your hounds love for food or treats, a feeding game allows your whippet to direct focus and use their senses.
There are a wide range of feeding toys available from bouncy food dispensers to calming Lickimats.
•Example: Lickimat Buddy Tuff
•Benefits: promote calm behaviour - Repetitive licking is soothing for your pet, releasing a calming the hormone into the body.
•Perfect For: Anxious Whippets, rescue dogs, elderly dogs or dogs in recovery.
•Tip: Freeze the treat filled Lickimat for longer lasting entertainment.
How to Incorporate Games into Your Whippet’s Routine:
1.Daily Mental Stimulation
Dedicate 10–15 minutes each day to mental exercises like puzzle toys or training games to keep your Whippet engaged and focused.
Our favourite is “find it”. Ask your whippet to “sit” and “stay” whilst to hide small treats around the house. Once you are ready give the command “find it”. Watch as your whippet’s concentration and ability to sniff out the treats improve with each session.
2.Interactive Bonding
Chase and tug toys are great tools to bond with your Whippet while fulfilling their prey drive. This builds trust and reduces distractions during outdoor activities.
3. Slow Feeding
Slow and scatter finding is a great way to ensure your whippet is exercising their senses, provide enrichment and promote calmness.
Scatter feeding is a simple and fun way to slow feed. Scatter your whippets kibble on the lawn, for example, and let them sniff and seek their meal.
4.Calm Evenings
Wind down your Whippet at night with calming games such as a Lickimat or calm scent-based enrichment to prepare them for restful sleep.
Choosing the Right Toys
When selecting toys for your Whippet, look for options that:
•Match their energy level and age
•Provide safety and durability
•Encourage both mental and physical engagement
.Games that promote calmness
By incorporating the toys and games into your Whippet’s routine, you can create a balanced, enriched lifestyle for your dog. Whether it’s chasing after a toy, solving a puzzle, or enjoying a calming activity, these moments will strengthen your bond and keep your Whippet both happy and healthy.
Discover our Turnaround Strategy Game, Calming Dog Games, Lickimats and more in our Chews and Toys collection
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