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Enrichment

Stimulate & Activate Your Pet's Brain

Mental enrichment is incredibly important to the health and well-being of all animals, especially for those experiencing behavior problems. These pets, in particular, tend be highly intelligent and require outlets for exploration and critical thinking.


  • Do your best to get your pet some physical exercise every day. With puppies/kittens and seniors, follow vet recommendations for their breed, age, and size.

  • Mental stimulation should be done every day and is just as beneficial (if not more important!) as physical stimulation/exercise.

  • Using puzzle toys, replace meals with a game. This requires your pet to think about how to get food instead of eating from a bowl.

  • Research shows that most animals choose to "work" for their food rather than take a "free lunch." Researchers refer to this phenomenon as contrafreeloading.


  • Training is another great way to work on mental stimulation.

  • When providing mental stimulation, be sure to start with easy puzzles and games (like hide and seek, for example), and gradually move up to more complex ones. The goal is to encourage problem solving abilities and curiosity for learning new skills, while avoiding frustration.

  • Feeder toys are an easy way to increase mental enrichment. We recommend discontinuing the use of food bowls or dishes, and switch to providing meals exclusively from feeder toys. It increases the length of time it takes to eat, and encourages your pet to think about how to obtain their meal.

DOG Enrichment Ideas & Resources:

Retail Products for DOGS:


These DIY feeder and enrichment ideas are easy to try or make out of upcycled articles you already have at home.


DIY Feeder & Enrichment for DOGS:


Any time a pet is left home alone, or may otherwise need something to keep them occupied, toys with frozen food inside can be long-lasting and highly enriching. While canned pet food is the traditional stuffing for these toys, feel free to experiment and offer variety. KONG® has their own recipe page where you can get ideas. Other food options for stuffing/freezing include kibble mixed with Easy Cheese, oatmeal, peanut butter, human baby food, and marshmallow creme, if well-tolerated.


Games and training are also important!

Games and Training for DOGS:



Combine exercise and enrichment!

  • SniffSpot - Private, by-the-hour outdoor spaces for safe, off-leash enrichment and exercise.

  • Swimply - Private, by-the-hour pool rentals for fun, water-based enrichment and exercise.

  • Frolick Dogs Alexandria, VA - 1-on-1 agility training at their training center. 

  • Aquatic Paws Chantilly, VA - Indoor swimming options & hydrotherapy.


Books:

Canine Enrichment for the Real World 

by Allie Bender & Emily Strong


Canine Enrichment for the Real World Workbook

by Allie Bender & Emily Strong


Consider joining the Facebook group Canine Enrichment for more ideas.

CAT Enrichment Ideas & Resources:

Retail Products for CATS:


These DIY feeder and enrichment ideas are easy to try or make out of upcycled articles you already have at home.


DIY Feeder & Enrichment for CATS:


Games and training are also important!

Games and Training for CATS:


These amazing resources will help you transform your cat's environment and maximize enrichment throughout your home!

Consider joining the Facebook group Feline Enrichment for more ideas.


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