How to Keep Your Pet Engaged While You're Away: Tips for Creating a Pet-Friendly Environment with Toys, Puzzles, and Activities

As a pet parent, one of the most common concerns is how to keep your pet entertained and engaged while you’re away. Whether you're at work, running errands, or traveling, your furry friend is left behind to navigate the day alone. This can lead to boredom, stress, and even behavioural issues like chewing, barking, or digging. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to create a pet-friendly environment that keeps your pet mentally stimulated, happy, and calm, even when you're not home.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical tips on how to keep your pet engaged while you’re away, using toys, puzzles, and activities that promote mental and physical stimulation.

1. Interactive Toys and Treat Dispensers

One of the best ways to keep your pet engaged while you're out is by providing them with toys that require active participation. Interactive toys and treat dispensers encourage your pet to think, problem-solve, and work for their rewards. These toys help redirect energy and prevent boredom by offering a challenge that keeps them entertained for a longer time.

Examples of Interactive Toys:

• Puzzle Toys: Toys that require your pet to solve puzzles in order to release a treat are great for stimulating your pet’s mind. These toys range from simple (where they push a button or move a lever) to more complex (involving multiple steps or compartments). Our Snuffle Balls are ideal for keeping your pet engaged and stimulated while you're occupied elsewhere.
• Treat-Dispensing Balls: These toys are perfect for keeping your dog or cat engaged. They release treats when rolled or batted, keeping your pet entertained and active. 

Make sure to rotate these toys regularly to keep things interesting. If your pet has seen the same toy every day, they may lose interest. A rotating schedule of toys will ensure that there’s always something new and exciting for them to explore.

2. Food-Dispensing Puzzles

If your pet has a tendency to eat too quickly or gets bored with traditional meals, food-dispensing puzzles are a great solution. These puzzles require pets to figure out how to retrieve their food, slowing down their eating and offering mental stimulation at the same time. This not only keeps them engaged but also provides a healthier way of eating.

How to Use Food-Dispensing Puzzles:

• For dogs, consider a puzzle feeder or treat puzzle that requires them to move parts around to release food.
• For cats, puzzle feeders that involve pushing or batting pieces around work wonders, as cats love using their paws to manipulate things.
• For small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs, food puzzles can be hidden inside safe toys or cardboard structures to encourage exploration.

By turning mealtime into an engaging activity, you’ll ensure that your pet’s brain stays active while helping to regulate their eating habits.

3. Hide and Seek Games

Even if you're not physically present, you can still engage your pet with scent-based games. A game of “hide and seek” can be as simple as hiding treats around the house or using scent trails to lead them to a prize.

How to Set Up a Scent-Based Game:

• Hide treats in various places where your pet can find them (under rugs, behind furniture, or inside toys).
• You can also create a scent trail with your pet's favorite treat or even a bit of their food leading to a rewarding surprise at the end. This encourages your pet to use their nose and keeps them mentally engaged for a long time.

This type of enrichment taps into their natural instincts, making it both fun and rewarding for them.

4. Calming and Enriching Soundscapes

When you’re away, leaving your pet in silence can be unsettling for them. Consider leaving a pet-friendly soundscape on. Whether it’s calming music, nature sounds, or a special pet-friendly audio designed to reduce stress, these sounds can help your pet feel less alone and more at ease. There are even soundtracks that mimic the sounds of a heartbeat or a human voice, which can be especially comforting for anxious pets.

What to try:

• Pet calming music: Many streaming platforms offer playlists or albums specifically designed to relax pets.
• Pet-friendly audiobooks or podcasts: Some pets enjoy the sound of a human voice and may feel comforted by listening to a gentle story or conversation.

This can be a great option for pets with separation anxiety or those who become overly stressed when left alone.

5. Create a Cozy and Safe Space

Making sure your pet feels safe and secure while you’re away is crucial to their well-being. Create a designated space where your pet can feel comfortable, with their favorite bed, blankets, and a few beloved toys. If you have a cat, providing vertical spaces (like shelves or cat trees) will give them a sense of security, as they love to observe their surroundings from higher vantage points.

Pet-Approved Spaces:

• Dogs: Set up a cozy bed, their favourite blanket, and a few chew toys in a space where they feel safe and comfortable.
• Cats: Provide a variety of hiding spots and vertical spaces for climbing or perching.
• Small pets: Make sure they have enough enrichment in their cages, such as tunnels, chew toys, and soft bedding to keep them cozy.

This will help reduce feelings of anxiety and provide your pet with a familiar and comforting environment while you’re gone.

6. Pet Cameras for Interactive Play

In today’s tech-driven world, pet cameras are a great way to stay connected with your pet and engage with them remotely. Some pet cameras even have two-way communication and interactive features that allow you to talk to your pet or even dispense treats through the camera.

How to Use a Pet Camera:

• Talk to your pet: Hearing your voice can calm them down and help alleviate any anxiety they may be feeling.
• Play remote games: Some pet cameras allow you to control laser pointers or toss treats, giving you the chance to engage in interactive play while you're away.

These cameras can provide peace of mind for both you and your pet, ensuring they’re entertained and checked on in real time.

7. Incorporate Regular Training Sessions

If your pet enjoys learning new tricks, a great way to keep them engaged during your absence is by leaving behind a training routine. You can set up a short training session that challenges your pet’s mind, such as teaching them a new trick or practicing an old one.

Training Tips for Pet Engagement:

• Leave a training puzzle for them to solve (like a trick training toy).
• Create a reinforcement system where your pet is rewarded with treats or praise when they succeed in a challenge.

This will help build a sense of accomplishment and give them something to focus on during the day.

Conclusion

Leaving your pet alone doesn’t have to mean they’re stuck in a boring environment. By incorporating mentally stimulating toys, puzzles, activities, and a safe, cozy space, you can keep your pet happy, healthy, and engaged while you’re away. The key is to provide variety and challenge to keep their minds active and entertained, so they stay calm and content until you return.

Creating a pet-friendly environment is an investment in your pet's emotional and mental well-being, and it will make coming home to a happy, relaxed pet even more rewarding. So, get creative with toys, games, and activities, and you’ll be amazed at how much fun your pet can have—even when you’re not there!