Torrential downpour? A blizzard? Or maybe it’s just too cold for comfort? When the weather outside is less than ideal to take your dog out, indoor play can be incredibly important to keeping them happy, healthy and out of mischief. And of course with cats — whose main domain is the indoors — inside enrichment is essential every day. But keeping a pet entertained in a relatively small space is not always an easy task, so we asked three of our Animal Care Experts to share their best tips and tricks for engaging a pet in indoor play.
Mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise when it comes to a pet’s well-being, explains Zach Hynick, an Animal Care Expert from Pet Valu in Nova Scotia. He emphasizes the value of puzzle toys and foraging games, which encourage pets to use their brains to problem-solve and tap into their natural instincts. “It really relaxes and activates their prey drive,” he explains. Dogs, for example, can benefit from puzzles that hide food, requiring them to slide, nudge or flip open compartments to retrieve treats or kibble, says Hynick. Snuffle mats are another excellent option, as they engage a dog’s sense of smell and encourage natural foraging behaviour, he continues. “They are little flat pads of fabric, and will have a bunch of little folds of other fabric that you can stuff treats inside of. It really drives scent detection.”
Cats, too, thrive on interactive challenges that give them a mental task to fulfill, says Jesse Larone, a Pet Valu Animal Care Expert from Kanata, Ontario. “I have a cat who's very, very dog-like, so he's got a medium sized kong that we put fish skins and stuff in,” he says. Toys that mimic hunting such as wands, lasers and treat-dispensing balls help keep them engaged, Larone explains. “Even cardboard boxes with holes cut out and crinkly things inside are fantastic for cats.” Many cats respond well to variety, so rotating toys or using different attachments on wand toys can maintain their interest over time, he notes.
Indoor toys aren’t just about keeping dogs and cats entertained and engaged — they’re also about providing emotional comfort. Cozy setups with bed warmers or heartbeat-stimulating plush toys can provide comfort when pets are on their own at home. Even better if you “shove something of yours inside that kind of smells like you for that comforting effect,” Larone says. “Especially if you have a puppy or a dog that you're training or leaving in a crate for an extended period of time, you definitely want something that is providing that emotional support to them.” Seghara Philippe, a Pet Valu Animal Care Expert in North Vancouver, also noted that a tech-enabled comfort option can be useful too. “Treat-throwing cameras allow remote interaction, where a dog or cat can hear their owner’s voice before receiving a treat.”
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