It is undeniable that pets can make time much more pleasant when you are at home and cannot leave. We explain some tips on how to keep your pet happy at home wonderful family animals.
They are with us when we need to vent or simply need a hug and their attention is like a beneficial escape valve for both pets and people.
But being locked up at home with your pet also has its complications. Here you will find some tips on how to keep your pet happy and content while at home.
- Follow a routine
Your routine has likely been significantly disrupted. At times like these it is tempting to abandon your pet’s routines as well.
Purina behaviorist Dr. Annie Valuska comments, “It’s important to keep your pet’s routine as intact as possible. Feeding, bathing and walks should occur as normal and if your dog is used to driving, it is not a bad idea to continue taking him for a drive.
She also reminds us that continuing to ask for good behavior, such as sitting before walking through a door or not asking during meals, is another important way to maintain consistency in her routine.
- Don’t neglect your rest time
Your pet is used to having time to himself while the family is away, so try to give him time to rest during the day.
As Purina behaviorist Dr. Francois Martin reminds us: “It’s not a good idea to change your pet’s routine and give him too much socialization. Pets are not children. “You don’t have to keep them busy with activities all day.”
Parents, breathe a sigh of relief: your children may need activities to fill their days, but your cat or dog will be just fine and may even prefer to spend some quiet time.
- Fun in bits
For those virtual conferences, classes at home, or simply those moments when you need to rest, it’s great to give your pet a treat to keep him entertained.
Purina behaviorist Dr. Séverine Ligout reminds us that while these treats can be a fun activity for your pet, it’s also easy to lose your way and end up overfeeding your pet. Keep the calorie count in mind and compensate for the extra calories in the snacks by giving him a little less feed at meal time.
- Exercise, exercise, exercise
Don’t lose your nerve and channel your energy into something productive: exercise for dogs and cats at home. Staying active during these times is as beneficial for you as it is for your pet.
You may not be able to take your dog to the park for exercise, but you can still find ways to get him to release all his energy. Even a trip to the mailbox can take a little exercise. If you can’t leave the house, move some furniture away and leave room to throw a toy or play tug-of-war.
Go out to the yard if you have one and let him play chase. We recommend that you take advantage of exercise for dogs and cats at home as another way to reinforce your pet’s schedule. Plan play sessions at around the same time every day, this will help her stick to the routine while offering physical and mental stimulation, as well as strengthening the human-animal bond.
- Play mind games
Another good way to tire out your pet is with mental stimulation, such as teaching him a couple of new tricks. Have you always wanted your dog to do the kibble or your cat to dance? Well now is the perfect time to give those classes.
“Just like people, pets experience what we call the ‘Eureka Effect’ or the emotional response to problem solving,” explains Dr. Ragen McGowan, Purina behaviorist. «That “aha” moment when you discover something you feel a very positive wave of emotions. Our pets experience this too.”
You can also take advantage of mealtime as a way to mentally enrich your pet. Scatter the food around the house and have him use his sense of smell to find it, or get a puzzle feeder for a little mental challenge.
- Be a considerate roommate
Nobody likes a roommate who is always making noise… and your pet is no exception. Now that you and your pet are spending a lot of quality time together, keep in mind that the animal hears much better than us, so try not to make too much noise.
This will also give you some time to rest. If background noise is a must, consider playing classical music (several studies have found it can help calm pets), podcasts, or the radio.
- Children’s participation
If there are children at home, ask them to participate in keeping the pet healthy and happy. Now is a good time to reinforce good pet behavior and help children understand the body language of our pets. It’s also fun to involve pets in your child’s learning.
Children need to learn, and pets have been shown to help them in some areas of learning (for example, reading). If the pet is friendly and patient, implement sessions in which your child reads to the animal as part of her routine.
- Follow a healthy diet
You may enjoy bingeing on extra macaroni and cheese and brownies, but that doesn’t mean your pet should neglect their diet.
Don’t feed her leftovers just because your “table” is the couch these days. Stick to your pet’s feeding schedule and continue feeding it regularly as much as possible.
If you give her more treats than usual to reward her for being such a good companion (because, let’s face it, she deserves it), keep in mind that the maximum daily calories from snacks and treats is 10 percent.
- Create a “safe place”
Your pet may need personal space to feel safe and comfortable during a time when there are suddenly more people around. This is especially important for cats, but dogs also benefit from having a “safe space.”
If you think your pet is overwhelmed by the sudden “gathering” of people, make sure your pet has a safe space that the entire family respects. When the animal is there, that space will be prohibited to us; It is even good to consider them “invisible” there.
This also helps children understand that they should leave pets alone when they are in their special place until they are ready to play.
- Creative self!
How to make your dog or cat happy? When it is not feasible to go out and look for new toys, be creative and make the toys yourself.
Offer him fun toys that he can destroy. It can be a cardboard tube with food hidden inside or a plastic bottle that you can break to get the treats inside.