Mental Stimulation for Cats

Mild to Moderate Physical Activities

The encouraging news is that alleviating boredom doesn’t have to be physically demanding to be effective. This is especially helpful for older, medically frail, or low-energy dogs. Engaging in light (non-strenuous) activities with your pup provides mental exercise that challenges and tires their brain.  

You can do a few simple things to keep your pet engaged without spending much time. One idea is to periodically rotate their toys. After being stored for a while, each toy will feel new and exciting again. 

Another fun activity is to stage a scavenger hunt by hiding small treats or toys around the house. This can turn into an enjoyable adventure for both you and your furry friend.

If the weather permits, consider engaging in “scent walks”. The ratio of a dog’s to a human’s olfactory capabilities is 10,000 to 100, 000 times stronger than a human’s. Dogs use their nose to explore and understand their world. A scent walk differs from regular walks in that the dog is encouraged to use their nose to explore their surroundings at their own pace and direction (on leash, adhering to safety/social limitations, including but not limited to busy streets or the neighbor’s prized garden gnome). 

Older, smaller, or disabled pooches that are beyond their leisurely strolling days may appreciate car rides around the neighborhood, countryside, or local park.  Even in the years when a dog’s physical abilities fade, their delight and gratification from the sights, sounds, and smells of different environments remain intact. It’s always considered a bonus day if there is a ‘pup-cup’ at the end of the ride.

Another enjoyable activity (and great photo opportunity) is the classic “bobbing for apples”. Understanding that if you, like me, call Ohio ‘home’ at this time of year, it is very likely frigid in your backyard during the winter. An apple bobbing hack is to set up the fruit-drowning operation in the bathtub/shower.  Grab a large plastic bowl (preferably with a wide base) or a bucket, and place it in the shower or bath. Fill the vessel with cool to lukewarm water, then add the apples (cored and peeled). If preferred, chunks of watermelon, raw carrots, blueberries, cut-up bananas, cucumber slices, strawberries, or other dog-friendly fruits and vegetables can be used. Some vegetation will sink; some will float. Which one does your pup like best? Get your camera ready for some hilarious action. 

Additional ideas for mental stimulation when you can’t get outside include using slow feeders, frozen treats/Kongs, and puzzle games (See DIY ideas below).

Not all dogs are inclined to socialize with other dogs, but if your pup is a ‘social butterfly’, consider arranging ‘play-dates’ with other dogs*. Consider the following recommendations for optimal matchmaking when choosing a playmate for your pup. Both dogs should be close in age and size, with similar play styles (e.g., roughhousing vs. gentle play). It is crucial that playdates are supervised at all times. Often, body language is the first clue that things are not going well between “friends,” and it is time to separate to keep everyone safe and happy.

DIY Toys/Puzzles **

Many dogs enjoy brain teasers, which serve as great distractions, but they can quickly get expensive. Luckily, there are some Do-It-Yourself (DIY) toys and puzzles that are easy to construct with inexpensive materials found around the house. 

Busy Box: Find a cardboard box and fill it with crumpled up paper, cardboard, paper towel rolls, smaller boxes, clean rags, or other ‘safe’ disposable items that your dog can tear into. Sprinkle some treats (or plain kibble) in the box. Let your dog rummage through the box to find the delectable nibbles. This easy build simulates natural foraging behaviors in the wild.

Tubular Fun: A quick and easy game starts by placing a few treats inside a toilet paper or paper towel cardboard tube, then folding the ends inwards to close. Allow your pup to figure out how to access the tasty morsels inside.

​Simple Snuffle-Mat: Grab an old towel and some treats. To begin, lay the towel on the floor and scatter some treats across it. Then, fold, roll, or knot the towel to contain the treats, creating a challenging puzzle that rewards them for their efforts. This also works well with their kibble to slow down dogs who inhale their meals. Check the internet for images of various towel-folding techniques to increase difficulty. Generally, the looser the roll, and the bigger the treats, the easier the game. To increase the challenge, use smaller treats and a tighter towel wrap. For the super motivated, you can even tie a cord or strip of cloth around the towel roll to add to the excitement. If you are crafty and have some extra time, you can make more elaborate snuffle mats using a rubber pad and a yard of fleece. See the Animal Humane Society web page for directions. https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/how-make-snuffle-mat#:~:text=One%20yard%20of%20fleece%20fabric,at%20least%20two%20different%20colors.) 

Squeaker Toys: If your dog loves squeaker toys, as my dog does, and you appreciate frugality, then I have four words for you. Dog Toy Squeaker Replacement. Over the years, I have spent unmentionable amounts of money on soft toys (stuffed and unstuffed) for my dogs to joyfully destroy. The torn carcass is usually collateral damage, resulting from the dog’s innate desire to dig out the squeakers while producing that hapless sound associated with a fading wild animal. At last check, one could purchase 50 squeakers online for less than ten dollars. These can be stitched back inside previously ravaged stuffed pet toys for pennies on the dollar. Another option is to throw a couple of squeakers into a partnerless sock and securely tie off the end. If your dog is anything like mine, they likely won’t notice or care that their new ‘squeaky toy’ is missing eyes and fur. If your furry pal prefers the stuffed version of the ‘squeaky toy’, you can purchase a bag of fluff at your local hobby or discount store.

Crinkly Toys: Create fun and entertaining toys using empty water bottles. Construct a “crinkly” toy using an empty water bottle in an old sock. Another use for discarded water bottles is to create a simple rolling treat dispenser. To craft this, remove the label from the water bottle and discard the cap. Place small treats or kibble inside, then let your pup roll it around the floor to release the treats. Using soft treats makes it easier to adjust their size by cutting them smaller as needed.

Tug Toy: Craft a quick and easy tug toy using an old T-shirt and a pair of scissors. Begin by cutting off the sleeves. Next, cut the material into strips and braid them together. Tie a knot at each end to prevent unraveling. Enjoy playing tug-of-war or fetch with your furry friend

Puzzle Toy: Fashion a puzzle using an old muffin tin and a few tennis balls. Place a few small treats in some of the muffin tin holders. Cover treat-filled and empty cup holders with tennis balls. Allow your pooch to sniff out the treats and remove the tennis balls to access a yummy snack. At the beginning, you may want to swap out the tennis balls for something lighter (like wadded-up paper balls) to cover the treats until your pup gets the hang of it.

Conclusion

When it’s cold outside and you can’t take your pet out for exercise as often as you’d like, there are still ways to keep them mentally engaged. A range of simple games and high-energy activities, along with toys, can help them release pent-up energy, reduce destructive behaviors, prevent depression, build their confidence, strengthen the bond with your furry companion, and break the tedium of the winter months. 

*For the well-being of your pet, ensure that their play date is free of disease/parasites (i.e., fleas, ticks, worms, skin infections, etc.) and all their vaccines are up to date.

**Always supervise your pet when using both DIY and commercially available entertainment products.