Environmental Enrichment

Environmental Enrichment for your Dog, Cat and Small mammal pets

This weeks educational topic will focus on ways to enrich the environment of your dog, cat, or small mammal during the winter months. The cold weather makes for a challenging environment to keep your pet stimulated and happy. We will offer a few simple techniques to try and get your pet moving inside and stay happy mentally and physically.


Environmental Enrichment For Your Cat

Most indoor cats are under stimulated. Cats have a highly developed prey/play drive that needs to be exercised for mental and physical stimulation. Just 15-30 minutes a day will benefit both you and your cat. The best cat toys are free but involve your interaction. These activities are best tried in a safe setting for your cat. This means if you have dog(s) around that immediately interfere with your cat playing, remove the dog(s) from the situation. Make the setting as relaxed and safe as possible to allow for the best result when trying to stimulate your cat.

-Feather string and stick- Pretend it's a fishing pole and drag it along the floor occasionally bouncing it up and down. Make sure you let him/her catch it from time to time or he'll get bored and walk away. If your cat is not interested right away, try again later or for a few days! Sometimes our feline friends need to adjust to new playful habits.

-Crumpled piece of paper/tinfoil- Roll the paper or tinfoil up into a ball and throw it. Your cat will love chasing it around and swat at it. Some cats will actually learn to fetch objects.

-Paper grocery bag/box- Few cats can resist an empty paper bag, especially when you scratch and move your fingers around different parts of the bag. Always make sure your pet can get out of the container easily and is never closed inside. Try adding a treat in the bag or some cat nip to stimulate your kitty even more!

-Training- You can teach an old cat new tricks! You can teach your cat basic commands like sit and lay down. Irresistible treats and repetition are key. You can also teach your cat to come when called. Ultimately training will lead to a more stimulated pet, and a more bonded owner-pet relationship!

-Toys- Furry mice are my cat's favorite toy! Laser lights are also great for exercise. Balls are also fun for them, some like the balls that have a bell or rattle inside. Switch the toys up from day to day. Many toys can also be made at home as a family. Getting kids involved in playing with animals is a great way to have the entire family involved to learn how to be a responsible pet owner!

-Foraging for food- An easy and inexpensive toy is an empty toilet paper roll. Cut out a few holes just large enough to get their favorite treat out, fill with treats and tape the ends with holes. You will enjoy watching them bat the roll around and get the treats out.

-Window perches/fish tanks- Cats love to watch the outdoors, especially when small animals or fish they would like to catch are visible! Place window perches around the house at windows that have a good view, it is especially of bird feeders. If feasible, a fish tank can provide visual enrichment for your kitty as they watch the fish. Also consider providing this enjoyment on your television screen! Some stations act as screen savers with moving pictures of fish and birds that can be left on for your cat to enjoy!

Environmental Enrichment for your Dog

Canines are amazing creatures with a multitude of senses that need stimulation thru a multi-modal approach which includes YOUR attention! We will offer a few common sense simple ideas to try at home.

-Fetch- Dogs love a good game of fetch and you don't need a huge house to play. Pick a smaller, safe toy in a safe environment and toss the toy around for a few minutes!

-Tug of war- This is an all time favorite! Make sure that your dog knows and obeys the release or drop it command. Never pull too hard as canines can damage their teeth from over-aggressive tug of war.

-Practice basic commands- Even if your dog knows basic commands inside and out, it's still exciting! Maybe you can even teach a new trick such as balancing a treat on their nose. Practice commands to teach your dog to behave as you would like in a fun interactive way! Want to teach them not to pull on the leash? Try walking around with them inside with the leash and practicing commands so you can take walks in the nice weather in the spring time!

-Hide and Seek- Leave your dog in one room, then go and hide. Call your dog once you are well hidden and celebrate when he/she finds you. If your canine companion has a great sense of smell, leave treats
around for them to hide.

-Hide the toy- This works especially well if you have a toy that squeaks. Hide the toy under a rug or pillow, then tell him to "find it". If he/she is having difficulty finding it, you can squeak the toy to give him a clue.

Grooming- Most dogs just love attention so basic grooming is enjoyable to some degree. Grooming is also part of responsible pet ownership and can strengthen the bond you have with your pet.

-Toys and games- There are a wide variety of games and toys available; I especially like the toys that hold treats such as the Kong brand where they have to work to get them out. There are different degrees of difficulty from easy to more challenging. For example: Take 3-4 plastic cups and hide a small tasty treat under one. Tell her to "find it" and as soon as she shows signs she knows which cup it is under, praise her and give her the treat. Just make sure they do not eat the cup!

Environmental Enrichment for Small Mammals

Small mammals such as ferrets, rabbits and hamsters that tend to spend a significant amount of time in their cage need extra special attention! Consider special treats for stimulation of taste. Consider adding things to the area to enrich their life such as chewing logs, tunnels, huts etc. Consider taking your small mammal out of their cage and create a safe play zone for them to stretch, relax, explore, interact and exercise! Consider training! Most small mammals when handled frequently and provided an enriched environment respond positively to learning commands. Remember correct husbandry (care and environment) is important! Make sure pets such as rabbits have a large supply of a quality timothy hay so they can munch slowly all day- this act alone with enrich their life AND is proper nutrition.

Dr. Santspree, Jenn LVT