Enrich your pet’s life to keep them happy, And maybe prevent some problems, too!

Have you ever fed your dog using a puzzle feeder, hid treats for your pet to find, or taught your old dog a new trick? Or maybe you’ve offered your cat some catnip or a cardboard box, opened the window shades so your kitty can watch the birds, or put a nature show on TV? If so, you’ve offered enrichment to your pet!

Enrichment activities aim to provide animals with mental, physical, social and sensory stimulation. These activities allow animals to express natural behaviors, make choices about how they do things and spend their time, and prevent boredom, which can help prevent problems like barking and destructive chewing.

Although enrichment activities and programs were first developed for animals living in zoos, they are now popular for domestic pets in both animal shelters and homes. We use enrichment at the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter to improve the behavioral and physical health of the animals temporarily staying with us.

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to enrichment. Each animal is an individual with different preferences. When you provide your pet with an enrichment activity, watch them to see if they enjoy it. For instance, one cat may love playing with a certain toy while another might hide from the exact same toy.

You can find all sorts of ideas for animal enrichment online. While there are plenty of items you can purchase, there are also many options to provide enrichment for free with things you likely already have at home!

Find additional pet-related resources at www.WashingtonCountyPets.com.