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What is Enrichment? | Reasons | Types | Common Enrichment |
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Enrichment for household pets |
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Enrichment is a major part of animal care for zoo animals. But that leaves us with the question- why can't my dogs at home attack piñatas or my bird feathers swing around on little bite strings? Of course they can! Without even knowing it, you are enriching your pet by cuddling him, or playing fetch with her. But- SAFETY FIRST! Just make sure your pet is supervised while doing these activities. Here's some more enrichment that takes you farther than the cuddles and hugs- |
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| Dogs "Ice" treats These aren't like the snow or ice treats that you see at the zoo, but your dog will have a whole lot of fun! Your dog should not have bleeding teeth after though. It is perfect for those hot summer days. You need-
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Cats Brush "Prey" Your cat will have a lot of fun pretending he is a predator again in this simple activity! It is a Good way to stimulate an otherwise lazy cat. You need-
Brush the paint brush against the sides of the box to make the brush sound louder and more like a mouse lurking through the dense foliage! You can now see your very own CIA (cat in action) |
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Birds Chew strings These strings are fun to make and are great and healthy for your bird to chew on! They also make a fun sleepover activity that your friends and birds will enjoy! You need-
How do you know if your pet is bored stiff? Use the same method that scientists' use- first, observe your pet when he or she is alone. Does he show any signs of boredom, like chewing or pacing (walking back and forth in a small area)? This might be hard to notice in your smaller companions, like hamsters and fish, but cats and dogs surly show it. Then, develop a toy or reaction to keep your pet occupied. We have some written in this website, but enrichment can be as simple as petting fluffy or playing ball with buddy. You'll have a happy pet in no time! |
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