Keeping your pet's mind stimulated indoors

Keeping your pet's mind stimulated indoors

We know what it’s like to be confined in our own homes and we’ve spoken many times about how our pets have been our saving grace, but what do they need from us to keep them stimulated when they can’t go outside?

Whether you're looking at your first pet or have lived with animals all your life, you know how individual and unique their personality is. They show emotion in numerous ways, they intelligently solve problems and they love routine. This only proves that they need to have their minds stimulated as much as we do. Staying in the house without being able to wander their normal route can make them as sad as it makes us. So what can we do to make a difference?

Create puzzling scenarios with great rewards

You may have seen elaborate wooden puzzle boards that get dogs to slide things across to find their treats, but you don’t need one to make a great game for your cat or dog. Your pet is very used to your home. They know where everything is and what everything smells like. If you introduce small amounts of their favourite treats, they’re going to notice. You can make it as elaborate as you want but by actively engaging their instincts to find a treat you’re stimulating their mind in a way they can’t do themselves. Variety is key! Check out our huge range of natural treats for dogs and cats!

Introduce something new

If your pet has got lots of toys (we will never blame anyone for spoiling their pet!) split them in half and keep one set out, hiding the other away. After a few days switch the toys over. Your pet will be so pleased to see their toys that they hadn’t realised were missing and it will be just like new. You can keep doing this for a very long time!

Hide and seek

For those who have a pet that likes to be at their side all day, this is a perfect game. You might need someone else to help, but hide and seek is a great game for bringing more activity into the home. Their minds are working hard to sniff you out and at the end of it, you get to be the reward!

Added bonus

If you’ve never tried catnip with your cat, now might be the time to do it. It’s a great relaxer and they can have great fun tossing it around, rolling in it and falling asleep in a blissfully calm way. If you want to make it into a little bit of a challenge (and great fun!) place it inside something like the Cat Crinkle Sack to keep their mind active!

Let us know how you get on. We love to see your photos and videos and it’s been great hearing your ideas on how to stay inside when you can’t go out!