Enrichment ideas for cats, dogs and small mammals

Enrichment is anything that adds interest or excitement to your pet’s life and is stimulating and enjoyable, to prevent boredom and encourage natural behaviours. Below are just a few examples of enrichment you may want to try with your pet.

Foraging and exploring

Scattering or hiding food within their home is a great way to add enrichment for many animals. Changing up their home with different toys or features can also provide added interest as they investigate their updated environment. If you have a small mammal they may enjoy digging, so providing the appropriate material for their species can really enrich their lives. Cardboard tubes or boxes are also a great way to provide enrichment for many species and provide new hiding spots or material for shredding.

Puzzle toys 

There are large numbers of dog toys available such as interactive puzzles, Kongs and lick mats which can hold a variety of different wet or dry foods. Each will provide your dog with a different challenge, and they may prefer certain types over others. My dog is a huge fan of lick mats and dispensing toys that move but finds some puzzles a bit too challenging! If friends already have some toys or puzzles, consider a toy swap to help find types that your dog loves, or mix up what they have.

Kongs and Lick Mats

Create your own enrichment 

You can also create your own enrichment for your pet. Providing that they don’t eat cardboard, you could scatter their food or treats in a cardboard box filled with used kitchen rolls or other cardboard packing. It’s a great way to give old packaging another use before recycling! If you have a dog, then scattering their dry food over grass in the garden or rolling up the food in a blanket or towel is another way to make mealtimes or treats more exciting. You can help beat the heat this summer by freezing carrots, creating ice cubes with peas or other suitable fruits and veg as cooling treats as well.

Do you have a dog who can’t go for their usual walks? Bring the outside in! Collect a few leaves and let them sniff and investigate them.  

For your feline friends, how about using a lick mat with their favourite wet treat on it? Rotating toys can also help reignite interest with older toys and enrich your cat’s life. Cats can also learn tricks, such as ‘high five ‘or ‘sit’. 

Don’t forget to always supervise your pets with any enrichment activities and enjoy watching them figuring out new challenges or trying your new ideas! Let your creativity shine and it may even enrich your life too. 

Puzzle Mat