How did your sensitive pets do with the fireworks last week?

If they have big feelings around this time of year, I hope you were able to apply some tips from this blog post. It’s geared towards thunderstorms but can also help tackle fireworks or any other stressful event.

Now with Summer in full swing, we have no shortage of extreme heat and heat advisories in the forecast. Again, here’s another blog I wrote with summer safety tips for your cats and dogs.

But that got me thinking…what the heck do you do with an active pup (or kitty!) when you can’t take them on their usual long walks, either because of the heat, snow, rain, etc.???

As the saying goes “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” we definitely don’t want our pets to be bored or have unspent energy because they too could get into mischief (and later be blamed or punished for simply following their animal instincts!)

The best thing WE can do as their guardians is set them up for success.

Dogs (and cats) don’t necessarily need physical exercise in order to exert energy. They can do so through enrichment or mental stimulation too.

Below are a few ideas…there are MANY more I didn’t include so I encourage you to do a quick online search if none of these inspire you (it’s important for you to also be interested in the activity, especially if it’s one of the more interactive ones!)

Food Activities

1. Frozen Kong: stuff a Kong (or licky mat or similar product) with anything like peanut butter, plain greek yogurt, plain pumpkin puree, chicken, cheese, or even the pre-made lickable treats sold online and in pet stores; toss it in the freezer overnight and voilá…present it to your pup for hours of licking entertainment (keep in mind this could get messy as the insides “melt”). Be sure to keep your pet’s food allergies or preferences in mind and consult your vet if you’re not sure if a product is right for their diet.
2. Puzzle Toys: this is self explanatory but there are tons of toys designed as puzzles, of all different difficulty levels, for your pets to enjoy! You can sprinkle them with small treats or even the dry kibble they get for meals. If you’re on a budget, you can always use a muffin tin or a regular cardboard box by cutting holes big enough for their paws. I did the latter for my cats many years ago (stuffed them with little ball toys instead of treats) and I still hear them playing with it from time to time!
3. Training Session: Teach your dog or cat a new trick, or brush up on an existing skill! Make sure to reward them with treats (feel free to use pieces of cheese, hot dog, chicken, cheerios, kibble, etc. if you don’t have training treats at home) each time they complete a specific action you’re wanting them to do.

Non-Food Activities

1. Shredding Party: give your paper packing material, empty cereal boxes, toilet paper or paper towels rolls, and shipping boxes another life before you toss it in the recycling bin! Set up an area for your pup to go crazy ripping and shredding everything. Make sure to keep an eye on them while they’re having fun so they don’t eat/swallow too many pieces. You can even hide a few treats within the boxes and paper to make it more enticing.
2. Scent games: you can use anything from your hands, cups, boxes, or even a room in your home to hide something “smelly” for them to find. This can be something edible but also things like sticks and leaves from outside, or drops of a scented oil on a cotton swab.
3. Hide & Seek or stair climbs: move around your house and call your dog so they have to find you! Toss a ball or other favorite toy up the stairs so they fetch and bring it back down. Repeat either game as many times as you and your pet would like!

Stay Comfy,

Tanya