As pet caretakers, we know that keeping our companions active and mentally stimulated is essential for their overall well-being. Whether you share your home with a playful pup or a curious cat, incorporating creative exercises into their daily routine can help to provide the mental, physical, and social enrichment they seek. In this blog post, we will explore fun and innovative ways to keep pets entertained, healthy, and happy. Let’s dive into the exciting world of pet fitness!
Exercise Ideas For Dogs
Agility Training
| What you’ll need: – Open space (backyard or local park) – Obstacle course items (e.g. tunnels or cardboard boxes to crawl through, poles or cones to weave through, hula hoops and pool noodles for jumping, plywood or cinder blocks for ramps, tennis balls for fetching, furniture items) |
| Instructions: 1. Set up an obstacle course using all items you have gathered. 2. Lead your dog through the course, encouraging them to navigate each obstacle through treats and praise. 3. Gradually increase the difficulty as your dog becomes more skilled. |
| Benefits: Improves coordination, strength, and mental focus, bonding opportunity |
Hide and Seek
| What you’ll need: – Treats or toys – A hiding place (indoors or outdoors) |
| Instructions: Option A: 1. Hide treats or toys around the house or yard. 2. Encourage your dog to use their nose to find the hidden items. 3. Call out “Find it!” or use a specific cue. 4. Celebrate when they discover the hidden treasure. Option B: 1. Distract your dog long enough for you to slip away unnoticed. This could be done with treats, toys, or by another family member distracting them. 2. Find a spot for yourself to hide in the house or the yard. 3. Once you are hidden, encourage your dog to come and find you by calling their name or another cue. 4. Celebrate when they discover you through praise, treats, or a toy. |
| Benefits: Encourages name memorization, strengthens recall behavior, reinforces scent tracking ability, mental stimulation, bonding opportunity |
Trick Training
There are many different types of tricks to teach your dog, with varying levels of difficulty.
We have provided two beginner examples below:
| 1. Spin trick | 2. Middle trick |
| What you’ll need: Treats or toys | What you’ll need: Treats or toys |
| Instructions: 1. Encourage your dog into a “heel” position next to your leg, facing forward. 2. Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose. 3. Move your hand in a circle away from you, completing a full circle. 4. Reward your dog at ¼, ½, ¾, and full circle stages. 5. Introduce the word “spin” while moving your hand. 6. Repeat until confident, gradually reducing hand movements. | Instructions: 1. Encourage your dog to stand in front of you. 2. Move your hand behind you, passing the treat between your legs to your other hand. 3. Use encouraging words to guide your dog through your legs. 4. Once their head and shoulders are through, stop moving your hand and reward your dog with the treat. Introduce the word “middle” while repeating the movement. 5. Practice until confident, reducing hand movements with a simple verbal cue. |
| Benefits: Encourages bonding, mental stimulation, improved attention, focus, obedience, and behavior, physical exercise | Benefits: Encourages bonding, mental stimulation, improved attention, focus, obedience, and behavior, physical exercise |
Here are some other exercise and enrichment ideas you can provide to your dog to incorporate into your everyday routine:
- Change up your daily walks by choosing different walking routes, giving them time to sniff and explore, or even try running or hiking.
- Go swimming either in a pool or local water body.
- Play games indoors or outdoors such as fetch using a ball or frisbee, tug of war, or introduce sound toys.
- If you’re dog has high energy needs, try signing up for different sports to find out what your dog likes best!
Exercise Ideas for Cats
Interactive Toys
| What you’ll need: – Some type of toy that requires your participation such as a feather wand, laser pointer, string, or wire toy. |
| Instructions: 1. Depending on the toy, move or wiggle it around the room or in the air. 2. Let your cat stalk the toy, chase it around, or jump to get it. |
| Benefits: Provides mental stimulation, engages your cats hunting instincts |
Hide and Seek
| Instructions: Follow the same instructions shown above for dogs, cats can enjoy this activity too! |
Leash Walks
| What you’ll need: – Harness – Leash – Identifying information on key tag, either place on harness or collar |
| Instructions: 1. Select a harness that fits your cat properly. 2. Leave the harness around the house for a week so your cat gets used to it. Reward positive associations with treats or praise. 3. Put the harness on your cat during playtime indoors for a few days to help them adjust. 4. Attach the leash and let your cat walk around indoors for another few days. Use treats and praise for encouragement. 5. When confident, choose a quiet time (dusk or dawn) to explore outdoors. 6. Avoid pulling the leash; follow your cat’s lead. 7. Watch for stress cues and bring your cat back inside if overwhelmed! |
| Benefits: Provides mental stimulation, physical exercise, bonding opportunity, safe exploration |
Here are some other exercise and enrichment ideas you can provide to your cat to incorporate into your everyday routine!
- Cats like to be up high, so take advantage of the vertical spaces in your home by providing them access to higher up locations that are safe, or invest in some shelves, cat trees, or window hammocks for your cat to enjoy a different perspective or look out a window.
- Teach them how to play fetch with a ball, mouse, or toy of their choosing.
- Take advantage of technology! There are plenty of aps and websites which provide content for your cat to play with (i.e., chasing a mouse across the screen).
Conclusions
In this blog post we explored creative exercise ideas tailored for cats and dogs. These activities provide mental stimulation, strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend, and encourage healthy habits. When embarking on this new journey with your pet, remember to tailor the exercise to their individual needs. If you are ever uncertain about their ability to handle the new activity, consult with your veterinarian for guidance. Enjoy the rewarding experience of keeping your beloved companion active and engaged!
References
Bender, A. (2023, December 1). 21 fun and popular dog tricks any dog can learn. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/fun-and-easy-dog-tricks-1117309
Canine DIY enrichment. ASPCA. (n.d.). https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/canine-diy-enrichment
Kucera, T. (2022, July 7). Exciting enrichment ideas for your cat. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/enrichment-ideas-for-your-cat-4588682
Written by: Shawna Morrow, BScH, MSc, PhD candidate
Reviewed by: Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN, Associate Professor and Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition