Although companion animals are enriched by their interactions with humans, they also need ways to indulge their natural behaviors.
Remember to provide safe objects for your animals and to rotate enrichments for variety.
Sue Hunter, the Aquarium’s manager of animal programs, offers these ideas to try with your own pets:
Dogs
- Provide bones or chew toys to satisfy the natural urge to chew.
- Walk your dog to expose him to new sights and sounds.
- Play with your dog
- Drag a treat on the ground to make a scent trail; leave the item at the end and let your dog hunt for the treat.
Cats
- Provide a climbing post or perches near windows.
- Let them play with and nap in boxes and bags.
- Offer catnip-scented toys, interactive “fishing” devices, balls, or commercial cat grass plants.
- Place beds of different types throughout your house, near heating/cooling vents or in sheltered areas.
Reptiles
- Provide climbing reptiles with plants, sticks, rocks, or wood.
- Include a hiding place in your animal’s enclosure.
- Provide a variety of substances, such as leaves or litter, for animals to burrow under.
- Provide live food to carnivorous reptiles or simulate movement of prey when feeding.
Birds
- Keep birds in pairs or groups to satisfy their social needs.
- Give a variety of toys to birds that are natural chewers.
- Offer climbing perches, branches, sticks, or ropes of varying widths and textures and rotate them often.
- Consult your veterinarian regarding you bird’s nutritional needs; offer a variety of foods such as millet sprays, vegetables, fruit, and other treats, in addition to their natural food.
Small Animals
- Invest in a Habitrail™ habitat that mimics the natural environment of rodents, or provide paper towel rolls or oatmeal cartons.
- Provide an exercise wheel for small rodents; allow rabbits and guinea pigs opportunities to explore your home in a secure room or outside in a fine-mesh fenced enclosure.
- Keep teeth from overgrowing with lots of chew toys, including flavored wooden blocks.
- Include a smaller box or other enclosed area inside the animal’s cage.
Always supervise new enrichment items to ensure your animals’ safety. And remember to have fun!
