Caring for your pet’s mental well-being is just as important as keeping them in shape with walks around the block—dogs
need mental workouts, too, to stay psychologically healthy. “Providing
stimulating environments and engaging pets in activities that exercise
their minds (like play, social interaction, food puzzles, and hiding
toys or treats) is an important component of emotional well-being,” says
Dr. Ragen T.S. McGowan, a research scientist at Purina. Play games with
your pet at home—like putting a treat
under one of three cups that you shuffle around or hide and seek. While
you’re away from home, leave activities so your animals to stay
entertained.
Bored dogs are looking for trouble.
“When
they’re at home by themselves, some dogs will shred the couch because
they suffer from separation anxiety, but more often, they’ll do this
because they’re bored and tearing it up is fun for them,” says Dr. Ragen
T.S. McGowan, a research scientist at Purina. “A lack of activity
options when they’re left alone can lead to this sort of destructive
behavior.”
How to keep them busy
Cut
down on boredom by providing fun activities to channel some of the
restless energy of pets that are left at home. Dr. McGowan suggests
toys, like food puzzles, to keep them mentally stimulated. “Many pets
will nap after playing brain games,” she says. You can find food puzzles
at stores or make one yourself. Try hiding treats inside a cardboard
tube (from a toilet paper, wrapping paper, or paper towel roll). For
another activity, put a few treats inside a plastic water bottle that
your pet can chew through and retrieve the treats. Or freeze small
goodies, like fruit or treats, in ice cubes for pets to eat while you’re
away.
Benefits of brain games
Problem solving is a
type of enrichment activity that influences and promotes brain
development. Dr. McGowan says, “Like people, pets experience the ‘Eureka
Effect,’ or the emotional response to problem solving. It’s that aha
moment when you finally figure something out.” Accomplishing a
challenging task brings a surge of positive emotions. “It boots their
confidence, provides control over their environment, and improves
emotional well-being,” she says.
