When you are confined to your home, it’s obvious that animals can make time pass much more pleasantly.
They are there when we need to ventilate or just cuddle, and caring for animals is a productive outlet that benefits both animals and people.
But being stuck at home with your pet can also present its share of difficulties. Here are some tips to keep your pet happy and busy even when you are confined to your home.
1. Respect their habits
Your schedule has likely been significantly disrupted. In times like this, it can be tempting to let go of your pet's habits too.
Dr. Annie Valuska, behaviorist at Purina warns us: "It is important to try to keep the same routine with your pet as much as possible. Meal times, hygienic outings and walks should be normal and if your dog is used to going out by car, it's a good idea to keep taking it even for short trips. "
It also reminds us that we must continue to maintain good manners, such as sitting before going through the door or not begging at the table ... It is a good way to maintain consistency in the habits of your animal.
2. Maintain rest times
Your pet may be used to resting a lot when the family is away, so keep them quiet throughout the day.
As Dr François Martin, behaviorist at Purina reminds us, "it is not a good idea to change the habits of your animal by constantly soliciting it. Animals are not children. Their owners do not need to keep them busy all day. "
Parents, you push yourself to breathe: your children may need activities to fill their days, but your cat or dog can manage on their own and they will probably even appreciate being left a little calm.
3. Let them chew
While you are on a video conference, home school, or just in need of rest, giving your pet a chew treat to keep him busy can be great.
Dr Séverine Ligout, behaviorist at Purina, reminds us that, even if these treats please your animal, we must also be careful not to overfeed them. Control the amount of calories distributed and compensate for the excess due to treats by reducing meals a little.
4. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
Don't get upset and channel your energy into positive activity, exercise. Staying active during this time is as important to you as it is to your pet.
You may not be able to take your dog to the park to run but you can always find a way to get him to exercise. Even walking to the mailbox will keep him a little active. When you are indoors, push out some furniture to make room for "fetching" or tug-of-war.
If you have a garden, go outside and play chasing yourself. We recommend that you use physical exercise as a way of framing your pet's schedule. Schedule play sessions each day at around the same time, your pet will adopt this routine which gives him physical and mental stimulation while strengthening the bond with you.
5. Stimulate your pet's mind
Another way to tire your pet is to mentally stimulate it, for example by teaching it new exercises! Ever wanted to teach your dog to roll or dance your cat? Now is the perfect time to do it!
"Just like us, animals experience what we call the 'Eureka effect', which is an emotional reaction when a problem is resolved," said Dr. Ragen McGowan, behaviorist at Purina. This moment "ah ha" when you finally understand something and then you feel a strong positive emotion. Our animals also experience it. "
You can also use food as a way to mentally enrich your pet's day. Scatter the food around the house and let him use his flair to find them, or offer him a food puzzle to mentally stimulate him.
6. Be an attentive roommate
No one likes a roommate who always makes noise and your pet is no exception! While you spend a lot of time with your pet, keep in mind that they have much better hearing than ours, and try to minimize excessive noise. This will allow him to rest.
If background noise is essential, prefer classical music (which, according to some studies, can help calm animals) over television, podcasts or radio.
7. Get the kids involved
If you have children in your home, involve them to keep your pet happy and healthy indoors. This is the perfect time to teach them to respect animals and help them understand their body language. It can also be fun to include your pet in your child's learning.
Children still need to learn and it has been shown that animals can help them in certain areas (eg reading). If the animal is cooperative, organize and encourage daily reading sessions by your child.
8. Keep a good diet
While you may be eating pizza and cookie boxes right now, your pet should keep eating a healthy diet!
Don't start giving him leftovers because your couch is your table! Keep the usual feeding schedule for your animal and if possible continue to feed him the same food.
If you give your pet more treats than usual to reward him for being such a good companion (because, let's face it, he deserves it!), Keep in mind that treats should not represent more 10% of your daily calories.
9. Create a "safe place"
Your pet may need a personal space to feel safe and comfortable at a time when there are suddenly many people around him. This is particularly true for cats, but dogs can also benefit from a "safe space" dedicated to them.
If you think your pet is overwhelmed by this sudden rush, make sure they have their own space that the whole family respects. When it is there, do not cross the limits, it may even be useful to consider it as "invisible" in this space.
This will help children in love with animals understand that when they are "at home" the animals should be left alone until they are ready to play.
10. Be creative!
To keep and keep animals happy during a time when it is impossible to go out and buy new toys, be imaginative and create toys at home.
Make fun toys that your dog or cat can chew on. It can be as simple as a cardboard tube that the animal will destroy to get the treats hidden inside.
Suggesting ways to harness all of your animal's destructive energy can be beneficial, both for him and for your leather shoes.