The month of September brings with it cooler temperatures, familiar routines and more often than not, more hectic family schedules.
With vacations over and students returning to school and organized sports or activities, many of our pets may find themselves spending more time home alone during the day. And while some of us may dream of spending our afternoons relaxing on the couch (with lots of hot coffee and a good book), too much down time for our pets can lead to an increase in unwanted behaviours like excessive barking or meowing, destructive chewing or clawing and increased stress and anxiety.
By providing opportunities for intentional enrichment we can help our pet’s minds remain sharp while also ensuring they are content and happy at the end of the day.
Intentional enrichment generally falls into two distinct categories; interactive play and independent activities.
Interactive play relies on owner participation and is a great way to strengthen the human animal bond, burn off excess energy, and increase opportunities for training. This can look like:
Classic canine games and activities like walking or jogging, fetch or frisbee catch.
Polishing basic training cues like “sit”, “stay”, “leave it” or teaching a new trick like “roll over” or “shake paw”. You could also try teaching your pet to communicate by introducing fun new technology like sound or word button boards.
Have them follow their nose by doing scent work and hiding special or high value treats around the house. This is also a great time to work on or introduce the “wait” command if you haven’t already.
Get a wand toy for your cat. Drag it behind furniture, through hallways, under blankets, or around corners to mimic prey behaviour. A laser pointer also works well, but take care not to shine directly in anyone’s eyes.
Independent activities centre on supporting our pet’s cognitive health and enhancing their ability to “work” and boost focus. These activities are excellent for busy parents, people working from home, or when you want to keep your pet occupied as you head out the door. These might include:
Treat balls that require a pet to roll or nudge them to access the treats within. Incorporate movement at meal times by replacing the treats with your pet’s usual portion of breakfast or supper.
Use snuffle mats or puzzle toys to include fun mental stimulation at meal times or turn meals into a game by leaving a trail of kibble for them to follow.
Use a slow feeder or a digger feeder at meal times or fill an appropriately sized Kong with a treat like peanut butter or Kong Easy Treat. These options will increase the time it takes for your pet to eat and enjoy their food or treats.
Pro Tip: Once you fill the Kong, stick it in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight so your pet has to work a little harder to get it all out.
Cat trees, crinkle bags, tunnels, cardboard boxes and cat nip toys are excellent ways to keep cats occupied during the day.
While participating and providing mental and physical stimulation is crucial for maintaining our pet’s overall well-being, it is important to do so in ways that are both fun and safe. Always supervise your pet with new toys or homemade supports. Be sure to select toys that are properly sized for your pet to avoid small pieces that could be broken off easily, swallowed or pose a choking hazard. Take the time to regularly clean and inspect items and remove any that are worn, ripped, or otherwise unsafe. Lastly, if your pet has specific dietary needs, make sure to choose food rewards appropriate for their specific condition.
When it comes to beating and busting boredom; prevention is key.
Plan a schedule, one that involves the whole family (not just Mom), and includes a variety of interactive and independent activities, toys and tasks for each day of the week. It could look something like this:
Monday: Start the busy work week by putting their breakfast in a treat ball or handing them a frozen kong when you head out the door in the morning. Pair that with 20 minutes of hide and seek with the kids or a new cat nip toy while you cook supper in the evening.
Tuesday: Set aside 15 minutes of fetch in the backyard or turn on an hours long ‘Cat TV: Bird and Squirrel’ video on YouTube before you leave the house. In the evening, polish and practice tricks your pet already knows while you get ready for bed.
Wednesday: Use a slow or digger feeder at breakfast, followed by 10 minutes of scent work when you or your partner gets home or drop a crinkly paper bag or cardboard box on the floor for your cat to hide and play in.
Thursday: Introduce a new puzzle toy at the morning meal. In the evening, have your partner or child break out the cat wand toy or laser pointer and “hunt” with your cat for 20 minutes. Take the dog for a quick jog or walk around the block or allow 15 minutes for fetch, frisbee or scent work.
Friday: Lay down a snuffle mat filled with their breakfast. After work or school, download a goldfish simulator app and let your cat smack away at the screen or have your kids play another round of hide and seek with the dog. If the weather is fine, move the game outside.
Saturday: Try teaching a new trick before or after a child’s practice or music lesson. Later in the day, create a new vantage point for your cat by moving their cat tree to a different spot (or window) in the house. After supper, opt for a family walk with the dog on a vacant beach or around the neighbourhood to look for any leaves that have begun to change colour.
Sunday: Use Sunday as a rest day by incorporating some light grooming or brushing while the whole family sits down for a movie night.
Every pet is different and so are their enrichment needs. Rotate toys, types of exercise and games, and observe and adapt as you go, eventually you’ll find the right balance that works for you, your family and your pet.
Medical note: Sudden changes in behaviour, persistent restlessness or lethargy can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical need, particularly in our senior pets, young puppies or kittens and pets with a previous diagnosis and/or complex medical needs. If you have concerns or questions about your pet’s health status or behaviour, please contact your veterinarian for advice and to schedule an appointment.
