Greencross Vets Working from home? Struggling to keep your dog entertained? For those of us with kids, it is not very different. To keep your furry friend from getting bored, keep their mind working and provide plenty of physical exercise to ensure a healthy, happy pet. Here are our 5 top tips to keep your dog entertained!
1. Keep them active
Not only is this good for us, it’s good for our pets. If we are asked to stay home more, it is important that we still keep ourselves active whilst practicing social distancing. To do this with our pets is relatively easy. You can still take your dogs for leash walks, being careful to maintain the appropriate distance from others as we have been asked to do.
Short, brisk walks multiple times a day allows our dogs to get out and explore their surroundings (they will naturally do this, sniffing as they go along). Outdoor adventures provide excellent mental stimulation and this activity outside is relaxing for dogs and for us too!
2. Food games and puzzles
These encourage physical activity and alleviate boredom. They also present a novel way for you to feed your dog. You can feed your dog through enrichment toys such as a KONG toy – these are usually filled with kibble or tasty treats. You can improvise at home and use toilet rolls and fill them with dry treats or even sprinkle food in trays to keep their minds active!
This can provide hours of fun for your pet and provides mental stimulation. Remember to ensure that any treats or food given in this way is accounted for in their daily caloric intake. When we are home with our pets it can be tempting to overfeed them. If you’re concerned about your dog’s weight, chat to our friendly Greencross Vets team today.
3. Toys
With some creative thinking you can find ways to enjoy endless fun and activity with your dog, using simple items found around your home. Many dogs love to play chase so throwing toys or balls for them to retrieve is great exercise. Playing tug of war or fetch in the yard is a great way to increase activity and also interact with your dog. You can hide toys around your home and encourage your dog to find them. Our partners at Petbarn have all your pet essentials and a great range of toys to choose from so you can find the perfect toy for your dog. Check out their zero contact click & collect and home delivery options today.
4. Allow them to chew
Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs and is a way of exploring the world. It is also a great way to beat boredom and relieve anxiety. Remember to make sure that your dog has safe chew toys that are right for them. Make sure the toys are durable, pet-safe materials and the right size for your pet. If a chew toy is too small they may accidentally swallow the toy. Not only can chewing help with boredom-but it can reduce other destructive behaviour in some dogs, especially with puppies.
Ask our team at Greencross Vets if you’d like to learn more about choosing the right chew toy for your best friend.
5. Scent work
Dogs love sniffing and they have an excellent sense of smell! You can use this natural instinct as a great way to interact with your dog, and you can do this if you are confined to your home. Gather some of your dog’s kibble and some delicious treats and whilst your dog isn’t there, hide the treats and kibble around your garden. You can try placing treats in areas where your dog needs to step up or sniff around an obstacle to find them. Place your dog on a lead, or simply encourage them to follow you around the yard and find the treats. Reward your dog when they find the treats. This game will fill in time and keep your pet from getting bored. It is also a great way to feed your dog their meals over the course of the day.
If you have any questions about your pet’s health or wellbeing, chat to our team at Greencross Vets today.
