Top 3 Vet-Approved Ideas for Bored Pets

It’s your day off, but there’s so much to get done. Suddenly your dog comes over – their eyes wide, excited, unblinking. Their expectant panting is audible, palpable…and a bit annoying. You know they are in search of entertainment but you just don’t have the time right now. Guilt quickly ensues. But it doesn’t have to! Below I will explain my 3 favorite low effort ideas for stimulating bored pets so that you both feel fulfilled on those inevitable task-filled days.

 

1. Hide and Seek.

 

 

Many people immediately go to physical exercise to tire out their pets but forget that mental exercise is just as effective! One of the easiest ways to do this is by hiding treats. This activity is a favorite of Ovi’s. On busy days, I hide low calorie treats around the house for him to find. It doesn’t take him long, but even five minutes of searching can tire him out for an hour or longer!

“Snuffle mats” are also fantastic tools I frequently use to hide treats. These are usually fabric pads made into an array of adorable designs with built in hiding flaps. PetSmart just the other day had a few for less than $10, and I decided to grab this adorable bear-inspired one. Warning: I would use with extreme caution if you have a dog or cat who loves to tear their toys apart and swallow the carnage. Snuffle mats are made from fragile materials that can lead to intestinal blockage or choking if swallowed.

Lastly, dig boxes and dig pits are very useful, especially for dogs with a penchant for burrowing. Dig boxes are made using a box or large container, items to stuff it with and your dog’s favorite treats or toys. You can make them to varying degrees of difficulty and can also get creative using things like rolled up rags and stuffed paper towel rolls to fill the box with! Dig pit’s require space outdoors for a sandbox or kiddie pool, or a section of the yard you don’t care so much about. The idea is similar to dig boxes; but using dirt instead. Here is a great guide for making one yourself.

 

2. No Effort Exercise.

 

 

I know you just finished reading the previous point and are thinking, “Great I never need to walk my dog again!” But physical exertion is still an important and easy way of keeping your pets enriched and keeping them from becoming bored.

Firstly, you can hire a professional dog walker. Or even hire that wonderful niece or nephew who has been eagerly looking to raise money to buy a tortoise. (I speak from experience.) These services aren’t terribly expensive, and it is often well worth the price. In my area a 30-min walk costs roughly $25-35 depending on the provider. I recommend looking up prices in your area! A daytime visit to doggie day care is a wonderful second option for meeting your pet’s daily playtime quota. I recommend booking ahead if possible, and making sure that your pet meets any requirement such as vaccinations. Lastly, you can try inviting another dog over for the day for a play date that your dog is acquainted with. Now, obviously if your pet is aggressive with other animals some of these ideas may not be achievable. In which case, keep reading.

 

3. Puppy Popsicles.

 

 

Popsicles and other cold snacks are fantastic ways to distract your pet, as long as they’re made safely. Now this idea is not exactly revolutionary, I know. But there are so many amazing and budget-friendly recipes available that can be made quickly and in bulk to use when a doggy distraction is needed. And the best part is, they can take a while for your pet to eat. I would probably avoid this activity if you have a pet who loves to chew ice though, to avoid chipped teeth.

The American Kennel Club has this great and informative starting guide that also goes into detail about some of the potentially toxic ingredients such as peanut butter containing xylitol – a compound also found in many chewing gums that can cause profound and dangerous low blood sugar in dogs.

Here is a popsicle recipe I will try this summer for Ovi! Plus look how cute this ice tray is. Excuse me while I log off now to go peruse Amazon… In the meantime, I hope you enjoy utilizing these ideas for your own bored pet!