The weather outside might be frightful, but that doesn’t mean you and your pet can’t have any fun. There are so many fun games to play indoors with your pet that will keep you both entertained, without freezing your tails off outside!
Test their scent(es)
As you know, dogs and cats love to sniff around. But did you also know it has a number of benefits for their health too? Teaching your pet to sniff out prizes (treats), is a great exercise for both his body and mind. Set a few boxes upside down next to each other and hide a treat under one. Encourage your pet to sniff and when he pauses at the one with the prize, lift the box and reward him with the treat. You can continue to add boxes and space them at farther intervals to increase the challenge.
Introduce new toys
Just like treats, dogs and cats love new toys. Introducing new toys, especially those focused on enrichment, is both rewarding and mentally stimulating for your cat or dog. A quick Google search of pet enrichment toys offers a number of options for purchase, keeping you and your pets entertained even on the coldest of days.
Set up an obstacle course
Everyone loves a good obstacle course, four legs or not. Find objects around your house that can be used to set up an obstacle course for your pet. Items could include: A stool to balance on; a kitchen chair to run under; a box to crawl through; a ball to catch and many more. You might have to use a toy or treat to get your pet to follow you through the course, but they will love the challenge of maneuvering new areas.
Teach a new trick
Both dogs and cats can learn tricks with persistence and the right amount of fun. Whether you want Fido to learn to play dead or Mr. Whiskers to meow on command, there are a number of techniques to teach new tricks. The most important thing to keep in mind is that positive reinforcement training should always be used. Check out this article to learn how to teach your pet a few new tricks.
