Keeping Your Pets Happy During Quarantine
Many of us are working from home these day. Good for us for even better for our pets! Just like us, our pets are social animals. Too little exercise and attention can lead to behavioral issues. This is great time to get to spend some extra quality time with our furry friends to make working from home more fun for everyone.
Here are some great enrichment ideas for your pet while we are all social distancing:
Many doggy daycare centers are open (including Scottsdale Pet Hotel) during the quarantine because pet services are considered an essential service. Playtime with other dogs will let your dog have fun and burn off their pent up energy so you can focus on those Zoom meetings. Many doggy care centers also offer grooming services so your pup comes home looking and smelling like a million bucks.
A long walk lets you maintain a safe distance from others and still get some much needed exercise. It is a great way to get some much needed exercise and spend some quality time with your pup.
Just like exercise is important, so is mental stimulation. There are so many toys to keep your dog busy while you are working. We love Kong toys, which you can fill with peanut butter and freeze. Dogs love to spend hours licking the peanut butter. Puzzle toys are also good for dogs. It lets them use that doggy brain to solve puzzles and get rewarded with treats. It is important to rotate toys so they don’t bet bored and stop playing with them. You always want your dog to be excited to play!
Cats also need mental stimulation and exercise. Since kitties love the thrill of the hunt, use this instinct by playing with feather dusters or laser pointers. There are even some electronic toys that your cat can chase through the house. Try catnip to see your cat really go wild!
This is the perfect time to do training and teach your dog some new tricks. If your dog already knows the basics, work on more advanced tricks like rollover and speak. During all those long walks you are taking, you can work on leash manners and jumping. If you have a cat that jumps on the kitchen counter, use this time to reward to positively reward their good behavior.
Being stuck inside doesn’t have to be boring. Using these tips will help all of us come out of this quarantine healthy and happy.