When bad weather strikes and your pet is going stir-crazy from being cooped up indoors, turn to indoor enrichment activities. These games will exercise not only your beloved companion’s body but also their mind, allowing them to burn off that excess energy and curl up for a snooze on the couch.
#1: Treat your pet to a food puzzle
Eating from a food bowl gets boring, especially for cats, who are natural-born predators. Give your furry pal the gift of an exciting mealtime by treating them to a food puzzle. These puzzles are designed to make your pet work for their meal and are an excellent way to encourage critical thinking. Create your own food puzzle from cardboard tubes and boxes, muffin tins, tennis balls, or fleece fabric strips. If you’re not that crafty, buy a variety of food puzzles that can keep your pet entertained and satisfied.
#2: Play a game of hide-and-seek
Hide-and-seek is a fun way to embrace your inner child and get your pet up and moving. While your cat may not search for you, your dog is likely to come looking for you, especially if you run out of the room and quickly hide. If your pet is not really interested in searching for you, hide strongly scented pet treats instead. Encourage your furry pal to “find it” and help them in their hunt if they struggle.
#3: Teach your pet a new trick
Trick-training is a fantastic way to coax your pet into being active in the dead of winter. Brush up on old favorites, or learn new skills that can be handy for wintertime, like wiping their paws on a mat when coming in from outside.
Make sure your furry friend doesn’t become more fat than fur during the cold winter months by contacting our team for a wellness exam to keep an eye on their weight.