Mental Stimulation and Enrichment Activities for Pets

1. Introduction

An animal's mind consists of three elements: perceptions, emotions, and goals. An animal's perceptions assess and interpret sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches; emotions influence an animal's good or bad feelings associated with those perceptions; and goals represent the priorities animals are driven to pursue based on good versus bad emotional appraisal. An animal's environment can be enriched by incorporating objects, stimuli, or species-appropriate foods that enhance any of the three elements or the interplay among them. Enrichment can be provided in two main categories: social (for animals living with a suitable conspecific partner) and nonsocial (for animals living alone or in less than optimal groups). Mental stimulation is as crucial to our pets as it is to us. Pets are working animals, whether they are working for their meals, working out their energy, or simply working their brains. Dog trainer Melissa Beyer says, "A good mental workout tires a dog out faster than a physical activity will."

Without proper mental stimulation, cats or dogs can get excessively bored or incur separation anxiety. We must incorporate as much mental activity or problem-solving into our pets' lives as possible, to encourage healthy mental activity, problem-solving, and curiosity. In wild or natural settings, animals work most of the day to adapt to the environment around them: keeping watch at a den site, protecting the territory from members of the same species looking for their own digs, maintaining the pecking order within the pack, finding lunch, or hunting and catching dinner. In human settings, the lifestyle becomes sedentary, and stress-related diseases arise. Keeping the world interesting and new for our pets is equally important. To keep pets happy and healthy, you can alternate and change the types of mental stimulation activities. In general, the older the pet, the fewer activities they need to be content.

1.1. Background and Context

At the beginning of the 20th century, the prevailing attitude among pet owners was that their pets served them and that very little was required of the pets themselves. They were here to guard our homes, our crops, and our animals; make our lives easier by helping with the hunting of our food and the herding of our food-producing animals; and keep us company. It wasn't until the second half of the 20th century that the concern for pets' emotional well-being began to really show. There had been laws and punishments for any form of cruelty to animals, but this new concern turned to more than just freedom from pain or poor health. Now, the focus was changing to see how pets could be changed in a more positive way: by feeling happy, secure, mentally fulfilled, and like an important and worthwhile member of the human family. With pet welfare shifting gears and owners seeing them as a valuable member of the family, what was actually required for an animal to feel secure and well-adjusted was usually a snack to eat and a rug near the fire to sleep on.

Thomas Edison described a cat as having a black hole in its chest that could never be filled. In the situation he found himself in, the black hole was in the chests of the woodland beasts being kept in the laboratory and being used for various experiments and observations. These creatures were locked up inside small cages and bare metal pens. They were given adequate food, water, temperature, and medical attention. However, they were also clearly unhappy. By considering the boredom the animals were going through, the concept of putting mental stimulation into the world of companion animals was born. People began to take a hard look at the conditions that their own pets were kept in to see if they were truly happy and fulfilled. Since then, many resources and outlets have come out about the exhaustive list of products available to aid you in "changing and improving your pet's behavior!" or "keeping her occupied and out of trouble!"

2. Understanding the Needs of Pets

To ensure the well-being of the pets that share their lives, owners need to understand what the pet needs. The needs of the pets are encompassing physical needs, like nutritious food and fresh water, opportunities to take exercise, and somewhere and something to sleep comfortably. They also need enrichment – mental and physical stimulation that fills their day and provides them with an outlet to exhibit natural behavior. A more current and better definition of enrichment is mental stimulation. For the pets, an enriched environment provides opportunities to do a wide range of behaviors that are normal for the species or breed and to give an animal a variety of things to choose from in its home, so no two days are the same.

A variety of mental challenges should be included for ideal stimulation. Physical challenges should not be discounted, as they can be equally engaging for the pet. Aging pets may not be able to participate in physical activities as they once did, due to arthritis or other age-related conditions. Pet owners must accept the age and condition of their pet and adjust activities and stimulation accordingly to continue to offer an enriching environment. Frustration associated with any activity being too challenging or too easy should always be taken into consideration. Social needs should also be considered. It is important to respect the pet’s social hierarchy and not assume that every pet is inherently social, even though most (but not all) need some social interaction to be happy. Human-pet relationships in domesticated animals have, ultimately, largely replaced pet-pet companionships that would have naturally existed but, again, it is important to remember this is not the case for some pet animals.

2.1. Cognitive and Behavioral Needs

Mental stimulation and enrichment activities: Cognitive and behavioral needs

The mental stimulation of pets is a crucial aspect of their overall welfare. The cognitive and behavioral needs of captive or companion animals are not currently being met with the resources and provision of many households across the United States.

Canines are pack animals, and when in the wild, they can walk approximately 40 miles per day running, playing, and searching. Domestic dogs, however, often idle away the day while their families are gone at work or school, eating when they will and napping in the only one-sixth of their bodies that is standard, when they could have the optimum amount of entirely stimulating, energizing activities added to their days.

Felines show similar needs for behavioral and cognitive activities that are not met in many homes. The woefully low percentage of animals in American homes that make it to older ages is in no small part due to the remarkable lack of attention pet owners pay to these cognitive needs, often on top of some other form of abuse, such as neglect or abandonment, along the course of these animals' lifespans.

Small mammals and other companion animals: The solution to this sort of problem would fail to discuss many other kinds of companion animals that are equally in need of activities to challenge their mental and sometimes physical energies. Birds, like dogs, are intelligent and social, but even dog owners often do not provide the level of social, cognitive, and physical stimulation birds need.

Even small rodents like gerbils, who are independent by nature, are quite intelligent and could likely benefit from learning. Behavioral studies are not often carried out on fish, but the results of the few that have been done are equally enlightening.

That being said, the needs of each species and breed of pet are different, with some individuals more dominant or sociable, some more playful, while others are more reserved. To tailor exciting updates on home activity for each species or breed of pet, owners can educate themselves on the usual behavior of the various pets they own and then pay close attention to the habits of their individual specimens.

3. Benefits of Mental Stimulation and Enrichment

Mental stimulation isn't just for people—your furry friends benefit greatly from enrichment activities, as well. These life-enhancing activities stimulate your pet’s brain, greatly improving their quality of life. Thanks in part to the behavior modifications and skill-sharpening inherent to brain games like these, dogs (and cats) that partake in these programs can avoid behavior problems and even help to manage or eliminate existing issues. Not all behavioral issues can be simply resolved with mental stimulation, but management and basic training are smoother when the dog has plenty to do on their own time. In general, the impact of increased engagement can be seen not just in the pet’s lifestyle and diet but also in the quality of their playtime. Their mental and physical condition is improved across the board, which is great for the pet’s overall wellbeing.

Indoor enrichment, as touched upon earlier, is particularly beneficial for very young and senior animals, as well as for those working through physical limitations. The enhanced quality of life as a result of the activity can be seen in the pet’s ability to manage their sleep and waking hours and even maintain a healthier weight. The most obvious positive impact is seen in animals with anxiety issues. Often, properly engaged pets that are allowed stimulus in the form of brain games are not as fearful as those with less opportunity to problem solve. Even animals undergoing behavioral rehabilitation engage in this type of activity well, which greatly enhances treatment of any behaviors, issues, or phobias.

3.1. Physical Health Benefits

Mental stimulation and enrichment activities are beneficial to pets' physical health in terms of overall well-being, maintenance, and preventing certain disorders or illnesses. One of the best ways to enhance a pet's physical health through mental stimulation is to provide a game that enables the pet to "work" for food. This can also help pet owners provide their pet with physical exercise that they struggle to find the time to provide. Such activities may lead to mobility and balance training because the pet is tricked into moving more, which has general health benefits.

A study involving cats identified that the tendency of pet cats to sleep all day and therefore not get enough exercise, combined with the feeding habits that make the cat eat too much and prefer high-fat diets over high-carbohydrate diets, leads to obesity in cats. Enrichment programs, in contrast, make the cats work for the food, so the cats are "forced" to move their body to gain access to food. In general, enrichment programs are shown to contribute to the general improvement of animal well-being. Later, it was also shown that enrichment programs resulted in a reduction in animal aggression and a more positive pet-owner relationship.

"Free feeding," a feeding method where an unlimited amount of food is provided to the pet at a free choice of frequency, is closely connected to this topic of stimulation and can be used to justify connecting, to a certain extent, mental stimulation with general pet health issues. However, there were concerns that were both practical but predominantly concerned the animal's well-being. Providing a pet with food on a free choice basis has been linked to pet obesity and resulting health issues. It has also been criticized as reducing "hunting-like behaviors." Studies have attempted to identify whether or not providing animals with enriched environments or toys can be used to change unwanted behaviors and deal with phobias. It was found that enrichment can affect stereotypic behavior, but mostly indestructible toys, for example, radios, were the most effective enrichment.

Another recent study looked at the ability of bear and lion animals to identify food inside a container and compared different ways of doing this. They found that lions were significantly quicker at gaining access to food when it was hidden in a boomer ball compared to when the food was placed inside a loose moving toy. Access to large prey also significantly increased feeding times for bears compared to small prey.

3.2. Mental Health Benefits

In humans and animals, it is well established that mental stimulation and curiosity-based behavior provide numerous mental health and cognitive benefits. Mental enrichment in pets not only can prevent destructive behaviors, it can actually predict higher test scores for future training and a lower likelihood of being relinquished to a shelter. Moreover, many people appreciate how much personal and social growth happens if they get outdoors to have a change of scenery and meet others. Similarly, some dogs and cats benefit from social interactions on leash walks and furry and fun workouts, including agility, running, rollerblading, and biking. For pets who prefer more social isolation and quiet down-time, even giving dogs a choice of novel toys instead of the current toys they use can make them happier and have a positive emotional effect. For all pets, every activity lowers cortisol, a stress-related hormone; when played with, their cortisol further decreased.

Cats and dogs have the same mental health benefits from physical activity. One of those is stress reduction; an adequate amount of physical activity can lower anxiety levels, lower aggression level, and even reduce the stress of living in a shelter. With the new learning comes hope and a previously unknown sense of success and accomplishment; both of those can make them emotionally feel better and even boost their cognitive function. Everything from a simple "hide and seek" with our dogs to free shaping tricks through clicker training can educate and challenge dogs and keep them stimulated. That mental stimulation ranges from the fun of finding the treats hidden inside to the cognitive strategy it takes for him to find it. The reward of finding the food and the mental stimulation of the hunt help Peter calm down so he can sleep.

4. Types of Enrichment Activities

- Enrichment or stimulating activities come in a wide variety. Much of it depends on the individual pet, and some of it depends on the owner. If the pet is trained to do a particular activity, then that activity will work for the particular pet. However, trainers also need to keep in mind the reality of what pets will and won’t do if they are left to their own devices. It is important that pet owners feel comfortable with any equipment or tools that are recommended for their animals. Although some things might seem rudimentary, individual pets can each demand very specific working tools. Owners must feel comfortable that the tools will work.

- Mental stimulation and enrichment can come in all forms for animals, such as providing them with interesting items including toys and puzzles that challenge them and encourage natural behaviors. For example, this can be a simple way to keep your dog or cat entertained for a few hours. Something as basic as hiding some dry food or treats around the house allows your pet to use their sense of smell to get them exploring. Foraging and scavenging are natural behaviors for these animals and it gives them a job to do while their owners are away. Tip: Begin easy with lots of help and progress to more difficult degrees of challenge as your pet is successful.

4.1. Interactive Toys and Puzzles

Interactive toys and puzzles are essential for providing dogs and cats with mental stimulation and enrichment. To ensure that they receive the full benefits, these toys and puzzles should be rotated on a daily basis, similar to how children are rotated through centers in Montessori schools. They should be presented one at a time to prevent frustration, especially when puppies and kittens are learning to use them. Additionally, it is important not to leave these toys in crates or playpens to avoid the risk of choking or swallowing parts.

The rotating toys and puzzles should be at least medium in level, unless the handler is at a higher level. It is also recommended to have at least one puzzle that presents something novel to the dog at any given time, to keep them "on their toes," so to speak. To maintain a fully enriched environment, it is best to use dry kibble as a food reward instead of dog treats, so as not to exceed the pet's regular portion of food. It is important to determine the appropriate level of puzzle for your pet. Start with an easy level and gradually progress to higher levels. It is better to start with easier enrichment than more difficult enrichment, as the pet may become frustrated and give up, resulting in them not using the enrichment. This principle applies to many other forms of enrichment as well.

Many pet owners find kongs and food enrichment toys to be a wonderful outlet for their pets. Enrichment can also help with behavioral problems, such as destructive behavior or excessive vocalization due to excess energy. In my own shelter, I have witnessed dogs transitioning from charging their runs, screaming, and barking at everyone who passes by, to becoming quiet, respectful, and more adoptable dogs through supervised use of certain forms of enrichment. Unfortunately, many dog and cat owners are unaware of these benefits, and only a small number of pet owners utilize them. However, I believe that these pet owners are truly dedicated to their pets, as they all want their pets to be mentally stimulated and intellectually challenged.

To determine the types of toys and games that will keep pets at the top of their game, one must consider the animal's natural environment and try to emulate some of those games. For cats, games like "stalk the night" or "cat and mouse" are highly recommended, as they tap into their natural instincts to stalk and hunt. For dogs, games like "find the ball" and "hide and seek" are excellent choices.

5. Implementing Enrichment Strategies

Create a routine with active and quiet periods throughout the day. Feed your pet a good-quality food during the day in scheduled feedings (do not free feed). Pets are natural foragers, so make them work for their food. Use puzzles, scatter feeds, or foraging toys to place different foods throughout the environment. You can also spread part of their ration out on a cookie sheet for them to search out all day or toss onto the lawn (weather permitting). Your pet’s diet should also include treats and snacks, preferably representing no more than 10% of their total daily energy intake. Like with your pet’s food, you can give these treats in a way that makes them work for them, such as stuffing them into a Kong or similar food toy. Use training sessions to work your pet’s brain and keep them well-mannered. If you feel your pet has a lot of energy or would like to use it up, simply increase training sessions.

Enrichment opportunities should be provided throughout the day and not limited to specific times (ideally, multiple times each day). You can provide different opportunities depending on your schedule and activities. Different types of toys can include food puzzles. Remove the toy when they are done eating so that it retains its novelty. In most cases, toys should be sanitized every few days. Make sure to give variety of toys every couple of days to avoid habituation to toys. Toys can be homemade as long as they are safe and not able to be chewed up and swallowed. Use toys with supervision, remove the toy if it poses a hazard.

5.1. Creating a Routine

The first way to ensure that you’re providing mental stimulation and enrichment for your animal is by providing a reliable, consistent, and most importantly structured routine. Establishing a routine with a pet that includes regular times when their basic needs are met allows domestic pets to predict what will happen immediately after. It also provides animals with important environmental predictability. This allows pets to relax when not expecting anything out of the ordinary to happen and managing to expect when to be ready for food and what they will be doing for the next few hours. Predictability creates security. This established routine plays a role in the physiological processes occurring in the animals’ bodies. External stimuli such as changes in routine or changes in the environment may create stress and prevent an animal from being able to relax or to feel more at ease in their home. An owner should do their best to reduce or even avoid such stress to ensure a good environment for their animal. The basics of a good routine include feeding, comforting/calming, exercising, and mental stimulation/enrichment activities.

A suggestion for creating a routine for your pet includes setting up a place for their meals that can be consistent and in the same location every day. This will create predictability. You should also present the food to them at the same times every day. You can also create predictability by feeding working breeds before engaging their help to complete a task or before doing tasks such as training. Fewer abrupt changes increase comfort. Calming pets can be achieved by petting them or by providing OTFC (on-the-floor-comforting). This might mean sitting on the floor with your dog or lying down in bed with your pet. It is important to reduce all other distractions during OTFC, including phones or TV. Plenty of exercise is also recommended by dog professionals as another way to wear out a dog aside from mental stimulation.