Caring for a sick, injured, or elderly pet is never a small feat and adding the challenge of keeping them entertained despite their restricted movement is nothing short of a mission! That’s why we’ve compiled a short list of tips and tricks to keep your furry friend entertained and active while they’re on the mend. The key is to stimulate and engage their mind in the absence of physical exercise – this is a great way for our pets to burn off any extra energy they have while not injuring themselves further! As always, make sure you’re well informed on your pet’s conditions and any restrictions they may have as we want to keep our pets happy and safe!

 

Stimulate their minds

If your pet is unable to walk and run the way they usually do, there’s a good chance they’ve got bucket loads of pent up energy just bursting at the seam! A great solution in this case is to stimulate and engage their minds. Not only does this provide a safer, alternative form to traditional exercise, it also helps pass the time and prevents our furry friends from forming unlikable habits. Pet Boutique’s very own Snuffle Mats are an effective toy to achieve mental stimulation – these enrichment toys are specifically designed to encourage engagement through sniffing and foraging and are perfect for mobility restrained pets! Experts report that 10 minutes of playing with a Snuffle Mat is equivalent to 1 hour of physical exercise, making it beneficial for all our furry friends. You can read more about our Snuffle Mats and their benefits here!

 

Teach them new tricks, or practice old ones

Tricks are an excellent way of getting through to a bored pet without getting them to move around too much. Learning can be quite the mental challenge and usually makes us tired without us even realising. This makes for a great parent and pet activity, cementing the bond between the two while also having fun. Some popular tricks are crawl, spin, shake, rollover, and kiss, but remember to adjust these tricks to accommodate your pet’s current condition and lifestyle. Our Chief Product Tester, Leo, personally loves to rollover and kiss! If your fur baby is already familiar with these tricks, perhaps venture out and teach them new tricks, or get creative and add twists to the current ones. Ignore the famous saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, because here at Pet Boutique we believe you absolutely can!

 

Chew toys

For those pets that just can’t sit still despite their restrictions, chew toys are an effective distraction. Invest in a few durable toys and allow your pet to enjoy themselves whilst minimally moving! Make sure to do your research before investing in edible and non-edible chew toys as some of them may have toxic chemicals or products that don’t agree with your fur baby. The NZ market is brimming with a wide range of chew products available, so your pet will be spoilt for choice – just like they should be!

 

Invest in Puzzle Games

They key to keeping pets active and avoiding boredom is by having a range of games and mental activities on standby, ready for their disposal. Get your fur baby to take a break from their beloved Snuffle Mat or Snuffle Ball, by introducing another puzzle game in its place. Much like chewable toys and treats, there is an abundance of puzzle games available in pet stores and online! Look out for puzzle games that require mental stimulation rather than physical, and always check if they will be suitable for your pet given their injuries. Some games even have varying levels of difficulty, so your pet can feel like they’re moving up a “game level” when they’ve completed a round! Humans have their game nights, and now our pets can too!

 

Treat your pet to love and comfort

Whether your pet is injured, sick, or elderly, there’s a good chance they require a bit more TLC from their human owners. Take the time to soothe and comfort your pet when they need it, even providing massages to relieve their pain in stressful times. It’s important to check in with your veterinarian during your pet’s recovery, and always make sure you understand your furry friend’s restrictions to ensure a comfortable healing process.  Boredom is our enemy, but these tips will help you and your pet have fun and exercise while keeping them rested and out of harms way!