3 ways to keep your pet busy around the house

These days, we can all use ideas to keep us busy around the house. We’re in the middle of winter and the pandemic is keeping more of us homebound than normal – and that includes our pets. Luckily, Amber Aquart is a certified dog trainer with several tips on how to keep your pet engaged, happy and stimulated with easy activities using everyday household items. If you’re in need of some creative ideas to keep your dog or cat entertained, try these out:

1. Create a home obstacle course

Not only will this help your dog get exercise, but it will help with mental stimulation and agility. First, look around your house to find random objects to build the course. Maybe it’s PVC pipe or even a broom for your dog to hurdle. You can create tunnels, set up poles for them to weave in and out of, and build jumps. As always, remember to choose objects and build your course with safety in mind! Once the course is built, lead your dog through each obstacle with clear and consistent language. Here’s a pro tip: Reward your dog with treats as they complete tasks in the obstacle course. Even just one treat can often get them to focus more on the task at hand. At ACANA®, we have several treat options. Our freeze-dried dog treats packed with protein, like our Pork & Squash recipe, and our new High-Protein Biscuits made with just 5 simple ingredients with recipes like Turkey Liver. These are a great way to treat your pet without feeling guilty or worrying about weight gain – something we’re all thinking about as we kick off the New Year!

2. Build your own T-shirt bottle dog toy

This one is simple! You need two things to keep your dog entertained: A T-shirt and a water bottle. Grab an old T-shirt (heck, you might as well go through the closet while we all have more time!) and make sure the material is safe – this isn’t the time to finally use that sequin top of yours. Cut off the top of the shirt from shoulder to shoulder so the neckline is gone and cut off the sleeves. Then, cut slits along the top of the fabric and tie them into knots, bunching them all together into one big knot. Place a water bottle into the T-shirt and do the same thing along the bottom of the shirt, cutting slits and tying knots. Tie a final knot at the bottom to hold the water bottle in, and your dog will be entertained for hours! The crinkly sound of the water bottle and easy-to-tug knots make for great entertainment.

3. Take the tennis ball to the next level

Pssst! This one is perfect for keeping cats entertained, too. All you need is an old sock and a tennis ball. Making this toy is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Place the tennis ball in the sock and push it down to the toe. Do the same thing as the T-shirt bottle and cut slits at the top of the sock, tying all the knots together. Just like that, your pet has a new toy!

To see these pet entertainment activities in action, check out our Pup Up video here. And as always, we recommend you supervise your pet closely during any of these fun activities.