tips for keeping your dog or cat active

Does your dog's behavior change on rainy days when they don’t get a walk? Or maybe you come home after a long day of work and notice that your sweet-faced furball has shredded the couch?   

If that’s the case, your cat or dog may have too much pent-up energy that needs to be channeled through an activity. To help keep your pet’s physical and mental stimulation on the up-and-up, check out the tips below.

For the love of toys

Puzzle toys that require your pet to figure out a “puzzle” to get their treat are a great start. Plenty of puzzle toys are available for purchase online or in stores, but you can also create your own toy with a muffin tin. Take a standard muffin tin and place a treat or two in several muffin holes. Then place tennis balls on top of each muffin hole and put the tin in front of your dog. Let them sniff and figure out which tennis ball has a treat sitting beneath it.

In addition, interactive games like hide-and-seek, obstacle courses, tug-of-war, and hidden treasure are all simple games you can do at home, inside or outside. For hidden treasure, all you need to do is hide your pet’s favorite treats in obscure locations around your house or yard. (Just make sure to pick up the treats your pet doesn’t find.) 

Same dog, new trick

Think it’s too late to teach your dog (or cat) a new trick? Think again. You can even start with the basics like sit or stay. Dr. Marissa shares simple tips for new tricks and how to reinforce good behavior positively.

If you want to go bigger, consider building an agility course at home. Start with a long cardboard box or tunnel (you can pick up one of these at the pet store). Then encourage them through the tunnel with a treat. Once you've mastered this, you can add to the course.  

Get a move on

Walking, running, or hiking helps get your pet’s energy out and enables them to explore their surroundings. Don’t have the option of giving your pet a robust walk? Take them to the park to play fetch with a ball or flying disc. Also, switching up your dog’s regular walking routine can help them (and you!) experience new sights and sounds. A playdate or trip to the doggy park not only introduces your pup to some new sights and smells, it can also help with their socialization.