This West Paw Toppl Recipe will be a hit with your dog. If your dog loves fish, they will love this sushi roll-inspired enrichment activity.

Curing your dog’s boredom isn’t just for the cold winter months. You can use enrichment activities on the hottest days of summer and year-round. This West Paw Toppl recipe is sushi roll-inspired with rice, shrimp, dehydrated fish treats, cucumber, and red bell pepper.

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*Always consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog. Be mindful of food sensitivities and introduce new foods slowly. This recipe is simply just a treat for your dog and not meant to replace a full balanced meal or diet.

What is a West Paw Toppl?

West Paw Toppl’s are a fun enrichment toy used with food. You can keep it as simple as peanut butter, feed your dog’s meals in it, or get creative with this sushi roll-inspired West Paw Toppl recipe. You might remember my Easy Toppl Recipes for Dog Enrichment post.

You might be more familiar with Kongs for canine enrichment. Kongs are great too, but I’ve found that the Toppl is a little more accessible for squishy-faced breeds. Also, the wider opening can prevent frustration; they’re a bit shorter so your dog’s tongue can access the yummy goodness, but still challenging enough that it will keep your pup busy.

What is the point of enrichment activities?

Full disclosure: I didn’t always understand and pursue canine enrichment. However, I realized how important it was when Luna was on a period of crate rest due to IVDD.

Enrichment is significant because it keeps your dog stimulated mentally. Enrichment activities are great to help reduce your dog’s stress, reduce anxiety, encourage your dog to use their natural foraging skills, and benefit your dog’s overall health.

I’ve learned so much about canine enrichment thanks to @bindisbucketlist – I highly recommend checking out the blog and Instagram. You can also check two of my past blog posts for more enrichment recipes and tips.

What will you need for this Sushi Roll Style West Paw Toppl Recipe?

First, you’ll need your Toppl. (You can use a Kong, too, if that’s your preference). I used small boiled shrimp, white rice (or brown rice), fresh red bell pepper, fresh cucumber, dehydrated cod fish chips, and air-dried Herring from Icelandic+.

The Icelandic+ treats are optional, but they make excellent treats, and if your dog likes fishy things, they will love the treats from Icelandic+.

What are the health benefits of the Sushi Roll Style West Paw Toppl?

Shrimp: Shrimp can be considered a safe snack in smaller quantities for pups. Make sure they are fully cooked and unseasoned. The easiest way is to buy preboiled shrimp or boil them yourself. I used preboiled small salad shrimp from the frozen seafood section. Shrimp have a lot of great health benefits, including Vitamin B12; they are low calorie, high in protein, high in Omega-3 fatty acids, and a good source of niacin. They are high in cholesterol and should only be fed occasionally.
Red Bell Pepper: Rich in vitamins B6, A, and E, red bell pepper contains beta carotene. Red peppers have more beta carotene than green, yellow, or orange bell peppers. Beta carotene plays a vital role in cell growth.
Cucumber: This vegetable is about 96% water, making it a great way to provide extra hydration to your dog. Cucumbers are also very low-calorie – roughly eight calories in a half-cup!
White Rice: I prefer to use brown rice for the pups, but I only had white in my pantry. Feel free to use either white or brown. White rice does have health benefits as well. White rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate, low in calories, and contains calcium and iron.
Icelandic+ Cod and Herring Treat: These are two different treats that are perfect for enrichment and everyday treats. They are limited ingredients and air-dried, making them a healthy snack—Cod, and Herring promote healthy skin and coats with Omega-3 fatty acids.