After having two kids, Nina Ottosson found she couldn’t spend as much time training and romping around outside with her dogs as she used to do. So the Swedish designer starting brainstorming ways to keep her pets physically stimulated inside the house while also exercising their mental abilities. Since then, she’s been designing and developing a series of interactive pet toys and puzzle games that you can play with your dogs, cats and other pets to keep them mentally stimulated.
The toys and games are tricky and require physical dexterity, but there are tasty rewards for persevering pets. Treats and food can be planted inside the mazes and puzzles, encouraging pets to explore the compartments and work the different mechanisms in search of something to eat. By lifting blocks and turning discs with a nose or paw, for instance, pets find the hidden treats.
Nina’s toys are engaging and entertaining, and there are different levels of difficulty so you can start simple and increase the complexity as you work with your pet to advance. Supervision is important; the toys are meant to be played with together -- like a board game that you play with your pet -- so you can encourage and steer your pet to success as needed. They’re a great way to have fun with your pets and exercise their inner Einstein.