Many people are aware that it’s important to exercise their pets, but many don’t give enough importance to mental stimulation. When dogs and cats are mentally stimulated, their behavior improves, they’re less stressed, and they’re more likely to bond with their owners. For families with kids, it gives a unique opportunity for parents and kids to get creative and play with their pets in mentally stimulating ways.
Playing brain games with your pet helps them burn off restless energy for your pet, and builds teamwork, creativity, and responsibility in children.
This article will discuss fun, kid-friendly ways to engage your pet’s mind. From puzzle feeders to homemade scavenger hunts, we’ll cover hands-on activities that will fit into any family routine.
Why Mental Enrichment Matters for Pets
Many pets live pretty cushy indoor lives. While comfy, it’s a far cry from the variety and challenges they were once wired to experience. A bored pet is more likely to chew on shoes, yowl at night, or gnaw on furniture. This isn’t something they do to spite you; they do it to release pent-up energy and frustration. Brain games give this energy an outlet.
Mental stimulation helps:
- Curb unwanted behaviour: A tired mind leaves less room for mischief.
- Build confidence: Nervous pets benefit from puzzle-solving wins.
- Strengthen bonds: Shared play fosters trust and affection.
- Improve training: Problem-solving sharpens focus, making obedience easier.
Allowing your kids to play brain games with your pets teaches them patience, empathy, and care, which are skills they will need for the rest of their lives.
Puzzle Feeders: Dinner Meets Playtime
Feeding time can be mentally enriching with puzzle feeders. Instead of giving your dog a bowl of food which they can scarf down in seconds, a puzzle feeder allows your dog to work for their food, something incredibly rewarding for them.
You can include your kids in this activity by allowing them to fill the feeders, which teaches them how to measure out portions and teaches them responsibility. You can also allow them to time meals, allowing them to learn about pet habits and how to care for another being. Finally, watching pets figure out how to get their kibble from puzzle feeders teaches children the joys of figuring things out.
The Classic Scavenger Hunt
Putting together a scavenger hunt is fun planning for the kids and great fun for dogs. You can appeal to your dog’s natural sniffing or hunting instincts using treats or toys. Here’s how you can put together an easy scavenger hunt.
How it works:
- Pick a room: Keep it safe and contained, such as a living room or playroom.
- Hide treats or toys: Grab some treats or their favorite toys and slip them under cushions, behind furniture legs, or inside cardboard boxes. Just make sure not to put them anywhere with breakable things.
- Give the signal: Teach your dog a cue like “Find it!” when it’s time to start, and let them go. Tip: Kids love shouting this part.
- Join the hunt: Children can help guide pets toward clues when the dog is challenged or clap when they’re close. If your dog is especially good at this and it gets too easy, you can also do the opposite and attempt to distract your dog during the hunt.
Interactive Games: Hide-and-Seek and More
Hide-and-seek isn’t just for kids, it can be a brilliant indoor game for pets too. It’s great for building recall and kids absolutely love playing this.
How to Play:
- Have your pet sit and stay (or gently hold them if they don’t know commands).
- A child hides in a safe spot, like behind a door or under a blanket fort.
- Call the pet’s name once or twice, then let them loose.
- When the pet finds the “hider,” everyone celebrates treats and praise.
DIY Enrichment Toys Kids Can Build
Putting together your own dog toys is a fun, budget-friendly way to entertain your pets and is a wonderful craft session for your pet. Here are some easy projects you can try with your kids at home:
- Treat Tube Rollers: Save empty toilet paper rolls, fold the ends, and drop a treat inside. Dogs will have to pat them around with their paws until the treats fall out.
- Sock Snuffle Ball: Hide some kibble in a sock and roll it up, loosely tie it in a knot, then let your pet nose and paw at it until he gets to the tasty treat.
* You can assist kids with this until they get the hang of it and then let them decorate their creations with kid-safe markers or stickers, making it into a mini art project.
Calming Brain Exercises for High-Energy Pets
Some mental games can help calm pets down and reduce their overstimulation by allowing them to focus their energies on one task. Here are some easy ideas to calm your pet:
- Lick Mats: Let your kids spread soft food like peanut butter (dog-safe) or wet cat food across textured mats. The licking motion soothes pets.
- Scent Work: Dab a few drops of pet-safe scents (lavender for dogs, silvervine for cats) on cloth scraps and let your kids hide them around different parts of the house.
- Slow Training Sessions: Teach one new trick, like “shake paw” or “touch.” Allow your kids to have short, gentle training sessions with treats to help restless pets focus.
Blending Brain Games into Everyday Family Life
Finding time for enrichment activities with your dog doesn’t have to be a complicated endeavor. Even just 10 minutes of focused pet play with your pet can do wonders for their mood and behavior. Here are some easy ways to incorporate sessions into your normal routine:
After-School Play: While kids unload their lunchboxes, they can do the scent work activity or a quick scavenger hunt.
Evening Wind-Down: End the day with a calming lick mat session or gentle hide-and-seek before bedtime.
Weekend Craft Time: Combine art sessions with your kid to include DIY dog toy making so you can entertain your kids and create enrichment tools for your dogs while you’re at it.
Safety Reminders for Kids and Pets
- Supervision is Key.
- Teach your kids boundaries and how to properly deal with the pet
- Choose games suited to your pet’s breed and size.
- Use pet-safe treats only. Grapes, chocolate, or onions are toxic to both dogs and cats.
How Enrichment Strengthens Homes
When pets get mental stimulation, they’re calmer, happier, and less likely to chew cushions or claw furniture. For parents, that means less stress. For kids, it teaches them responsibility and how to care for others. Including enrichment activities in the family’s routine also enforces stronger family bonds.
