Whether it’s a rainy day or an unusually cold one, pet owners know the struggle of having to keep an active, energy-fuelled pet indoors when they’d much rather be playing outside. While one day might be manageable, multiple days, even weeks of this, can leave your pets feeling bored, destructive and in need of some enrichment.
But what if we told you that inside time doesn’t need to mean that your pet’s ability to have fun and keep their mind active is instantly eliminated? With the right rainy-day enrichment collection for dogs and cats, you can reduce boredom and keep engagement at an all-time high until it’s time to head back outdoors again.
Some of our favourite enrichment must-haves include:
Dog Puzzle Toys
Dogs have very active minds, which is why dog puzzle toys and boredom busters are essential for a day stuck inside. These toys are created to challenge their minds either by making them hunt for treats or beat a challenge. Think toys such as the West Paw Tux Tough Puzzle Toy or the Outward Hound Dog Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle, as these push your dog to hunt and feed their instincts. If your dog gets bored easily, it’s important to have these on rotation, as swapping toys each day or every couple of hours can prevent their mind from diverting to other things, such as destruction.
Licki Mats & Slow Feeders
Hunting is what cats and dogs do! This is why they dig holes, climb trees and let their senses take over when they’re outside. When they’re stuck inside due to the weather, their hunting instincts are left underutilised, which often causes them to act out or become very bored, very quickly. Lickimats and slow feeders introduce their breakfast, lunch and dinner to them slowly and force them to hunt for it, keeping your pet engaged and their mind active, even when they can’t hunt the way they normally would.
While there are so many great slow feeders on the market, some of our favourites right now include the Nina Ottosson Dog Lickin' Layers Dog Fun Feeder Treat Puzzle and the Likimat Dog Classic Soother.
Cat Indoor Enrichment
Some cats will find enrichment with feeding mats. However, they have a separate set of needs that need to be addressed beyond hunting alone. For example, cats also need to scratch to feel enriched, which is why they can quickly turn on your furniture if their needs have not been met throughout their day. Rather than punishing them for behaviour that is part of their natural instincts, it’s important to address how excessive scratching, chewing, or out-of-character behaviour may be an indicator that further enrichment is required. Some great solutions for this include the Cattitude Cat Scratch Board Infinity and the Petstages Orka Wiggle Worm For Cats.
Remember That Every Pet Is Different
When stuck inside, the same enrichment solutions for all pets won’t work. Some will love a puzzle toy while others will avoid it. Some will love a scratching post, while others will prefer a catnip toy. Providing your pets with various solutions and having ample available on rotation can ensure that their time indoors is as fruitful as can be. Not sure where to begin? Explore what’s on sale at PetNest today.
