Spending extended periods indoors can become monotonous for everyone, including our furry friends. Luckily, there are various indoor enrichment activities that you can engage in with your cats and dogs, and even involve your children. These activities not only offer mental stimulation to your pets but also help ward off boredom, which, if ignored, may result in destructive behaviors.
Engaging in indoor enrichment activities with your pets is not only beneficial for them but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry companions
1. Designated Together Time
Adjusting to a new routine of being at home all day can be a significant change for both you and your pets. To help them adapt, consider establishing a dedicated daily time for bonding and interaction. Start by setting aside fifteen minutes at the same time every day for a week. Find a quiet space where you can give your pet your undivided attention.
During these fifteen minutes, focus on petting your furry friend while offering praise or sharing stories. Pay attention to how your pet responds on the first day and observe any changes in their behavior over the course of the week. They may start seeking you out when it's time for your special interaction. If both you and your pet enjoy this time together, consider making it a regular daily activity. Alternatively, you can maintain the same designated time but introduce a new activity to keep things interesting.
2. Movement
Both dogs and cats find moving objects, lights and sounds entertaining. You can hang a bird feeder outside a window so your pet can watch. Light catchers, lasers, feather wands and cat dancer toys are popular with cats. You can even try creating your own as a family activity. Light catchers or wind catchers are easy for beginners.
3. Couch Potato Play
When you're spending more time indoors, it's common to find yourself on the couch binge-watching TV shows. Your pet may enjoy snuggling up next to you during these moments, but you can also engage them in an activity without having to leave the couch.
A helpful idea is to keep a basket or drawer of toys within reach, including stuffed animals, feather wands, and tug-toys. With these toys nearby, you can provide verbal encouragement as your pet interacts with them independently. Simple words of praise can heighten their enthusiasm and prolong their playtime. This way, you can both enjoy your TV time while keeping your pet entertained and stimulated.
4. Time to Explore
When we're confined to our homes, it can be challenging to provide our pets with new and stimulating experiences. However, there are ways to bring excitement into their daily routines by making familiar things feel new again.
One idea is to create temporary indoor spaces using boxes or paper bags. These simple items can serve as exploration zones where your pet can have fun discovering and playing. Additionally, you can temporarily close off a bedroom for a week, allowing your pet to re-explore the space once it's reopened. To make it even more enticing, hide some treats or their favorite toys in the room before giving them access to it. Remember to regularly rotate their toys to maintain a sense of freshness. By reintroducing toys after a period of absence, you can spark renewed interest and enthusiasm in your pet, preventing boredom.
By implementing these strategies, you can provide your furry companion with engaging experiences and keep their curiosity alive, even when you're stuck at home.
5. Pet Forts & Box Tunnels
The timeless fun of building a pillow and blanket fort can be enjoyed by both kids and pets. Encourage your children to get involved by constructing a fort using whatever materials are available at home. Inside the fort, have your kids hide some tasty treats or favorite toys for your pet to discover at their own pace.
While forts can be thrilling for children, it's important to remind them that pets should have the freedom to explore new spaces on their own and at their own pace.
If you have accumulated a stack of delivery boxes, you can repurpose them to create box tunnels, towers, and cities for cats and small dogs to explore. Ensure that there are multiple entrances and exits if you have multiple cats, so they don't feel trapped or cornered.
Engaging in these creative activities will provide both your kids and pets with a source of entertainment and excitement, making the most of what you have at home.
