Leaving your pet alone at home can be tough, especially if they get bored easily. A bored pet can lead to unwanted and mischievous behaviors such as chewing on or damaging items in your home or potentially getting into things they shouldn’t. By keeping them mentally stimulated while you’re away you can help keep them happy and healthy. Here are 5 products and toys that can keep your pet’s mind busy while you’re at work:
1. Puzzle Feeders:
Puzzle feeders are a great way to engage your pet’s mind and provide them with a challenge. These feeders require your pet to solve a puzzle or complete a task like pushing a button in order to access their food or treats. They come in a variety of designs, including mazes, spinning tops, and sliding puzzles. We love the interactive puzzles from Outward Hound as they offer various levels of difficulty for dogs of all breeds and sizes.
2. Interactive Toys:
Interactive toys are designed to keep your pet engaged and entertained while you’re away. These toys often include features such as motion sensors, sounds, and lights. Some even have cameras that allow you to watch and interact with your pet remotely. If you think this type of interaction would keep your dog away from chewing on the baseboards or window sills, we’d recommend a Furbo 360° Dog Camera. The Furbo includes a built-in camera where you can see and talk to your pet as well as toss treats to them so the fun doesn’t have to stop when you leave home.
3. Treat Dispensers:
Treat dispensers are a fun way to keep your pet occupied and reward them for good behavior. These toys dispense treats when your pet interacts with them in a certain way, such as pushing a button or pulling a lever. Our choice of treat dispenser is the PetGeek automatic pet feeder which dispenses treats or food when your pup pushes a button that can be placed a certain distance away from the feeder. This will not only mentally stimulate your dog but allow them to physically release some energy as well.
4. Chew Toys:
Chew toys are a great way to keep your pet’s mind and teeth busy while you’re away. These toys come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are designed to withstand heavy chewing. Look for toys made from durable materials, such as rubber or nylon. Kong is great brand that carries long-lasting, high-quality chew toys. We recommend their Natural Rubber Ring toy which is available in a small and medium/large size for all dog breed.
5. Catnip Toys:
If you have a cat, catnip toys can provide hours of entertainment and stimulation. Catnip is a natural herb that has a stimulating effect on cats, and can help reduce stress and anxiety. Look for toys that are filled with high-quality catnip and are designed to be chewed, clawed, and played with. Catsages, Crunchy Pickle Catnip Toy is not only stimulating for solo play but contains 100% premium catnip.
Keeping your pet’s mind busy while you’re away can help prevent boredom and promote mental stimulation. Consider these 5 products and toys when looking for ways to keep your pet occupied while you’re at work. Remember to always supervise your pet when playing with toys, and choose toys that are appropriate for their size and age. Now that you have some of the toys to keep your pet busy while you’re at work check out our article “10 Brain Games to Play with Dogs”.