Enrichment for our paws and felines
WHAT is enrichment? The action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something - well yes indeed.
What is enrichment for cats and dogs? Enrichment enables dogs to explore and use their natural instincts. Enrichment activities can prevent boredom, build confidence, and teach a variety of skills such as problem-solving, searching and agility.
It allows them to sniff and chew appropriately. Plus, it’s the ideal way to manage their energy, encouraging calmer behaviour and helping them to learn good habits according to (https://www. dogstrust.org.uk/)
Enrichment is as important for your cat as it would be for dogs or people! But that doesn’t mean you have to spend money or much time creating enrichment for your cat.
Training is a form of enrichment. You can teach your cat many tricks such as mat training, hand targeting, come when called, high five, and so on.
This doesn’t require much more than some tasty treats such as canned cat food, cream cheese, tuna, or chicken as well as some time and patience.
Cats learn just as quickly as dogs; it’s just a matter of finding what motivates them.
You’re not only working your cat’s mind, you’re opening up a new way to communicate while creating a wonderful relationship.
Homemade toys are enriching as well.
Fill empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes with a couple of treats, then crimp the ends closed and toss them for your cat to wrestle and shred.
Fill small cardboard boxes with brown packing paper and place a few treats in the bottom so the cat can dive in the box to find the treats.
Teach your cat to “go find it”. Hide pieces of their kibble or a few treats around the house.
Begin by showing your cat the first treat and let them see you “hiding” it right in front of them, for example behind a chair leg.
When they find that one and finish eating it, they will likely look at you for another. Walk across the room, show them another treat, tell them to “go find it” as you “hide” the next one.
Do this until they learn the cue and then you can start hiding treats in different rooms.
Cardboard boxes make great cat forts. Cut out windows and doors for them to explore.
Attach multiple boxes together and create elaborate cardboard cat trees with cardboard “tunnels”
connecting them.
Hide a treat in different “rooms” of the cardboard cat shack.
If your outside environment is safe, you can train your cat to walk on a leash using a harness.
The smell of the dirt, trees, plants, and grass provide endless enrichment. (For more information: https://cattledogpublishing. com/i-am-pet-owner)
Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) offers these suggestions:
1. Use a Kong toy and fill it with peanut butter or invest in a food dispensing puzzle or game for slower mealtimes with a challenge. Small balls filled with food can add additional exercise for your cat or dog.
2. Give your pet a view of a bird feeder, or enclose an outdoor patio where your pet can experience the outdoors (sight, smells, etc.) without risking safety. You may even want to build your cat a private catio!
3. Having another pet to interact with may be a boredom buster for your pet. Consider adding another pet, or invite well-behaved, vaccinated pets come over for a pet playdate (while you socialise with other pet owners).
4. Take 15-30 minutes out of the day to focus on and interact with your pet. This can be a family affair with walks or a backyard game of dog friendly tag football. Include time to look your pet in the eye and really connect. Your pet requires that devoted time to bond with you and to feel safe, secure, and loved.
5. Training is essential for dogs, and can also be helpful for some cats. If your pet has all of the basics, try more advanced training like loose leash or off leash training. Trick training or nose work are great ways for your pet to learn while enduring grey winter days.
6. Hiding spots are the cat’s meow! Try adding a few open boxes, carriers, cases, and empty bins around the house for added enticement.
7. Scratching and climbing is something cats do, so be sure to have plenty of scratching posts and a cat tree or two for your feline friend.
8. The thrill of the chase is an instinctual behavior in both cats and dogs, and can be easily replicated through a game of hideand-seek or play with a laser pointer.
9. Change up your pet’s toys every so often, as they can get bored with the older ones.
10. Hide your pet’s toys or treats in various spots for an added game of adventure. Dogs love to scavenge and this will fulfill that need. is a doctor of veterinary medicine with SPCA Fiji Islands. The views expressed are the author’s and do not reflect the views of this newspaper.