Activities for a Life on Lockdown

We’re all currently spending a lot more time at home than we would like; and while the cute faces of our pets were comfort the first day or so, now we’re just…bored. The pets that were so excited to see us at home are wondering why we aren’t doing anything, and, well, that’s a really good question!

To help battle the boredom, we’ve compiled a list of homemade activities for you to craft and use with your pet.

Dogs

Paper towel or toilet paper tubes make great homes for treats. Fill the tube with treats and then fold in the ends. Toss it to your dog and watch them go NUTS trying to get the treats out! You can also spread the inside of the tube with peanut butter or another spreadable treat; you will get tons of enjoyment watching your dog try to get their tongue in there and they will love the activity.

A variation on the cardboard tube game is to put treats inside of a box, seal it, then put holes in parts of it that will allow the treats to fall out. Your dog will have to manipulate the box (turning it over, nosing it around) to get the treats out. Each time you change the size and type of box, you lay out a new challenge for your dog!

If you have any rags or old tea towels around the house, you will be able to make a modified ‘snuffle mat’. A snuffle mat is a piece of fabric with lots of nooks and crannies for treats, the dog will have to dig around and figure out the puzzle to get the treats. To do this at home, find an old piece of fabric, lay some treats in the center, fold the fabric over, and tie it very loosely in a knot. Your pup will have to undo the knot for a treat. If your dog has the hang of it, get a longer piece of fabric and try tying several knots in a row!

Cats

Everyone has a few socks laying around that have lost their partners; put them to use as crinkle toys for your cat! You’ll need a sock (thinner is better), something to stuff it with (paper works!), and that’s it! Stuff the sock with the crinkle substance and tie it off at the open end. You can even put some catnip in there if you have it. Your cat will love it, and you’ll love how free it was!

If you haven’t used all your cardboard boxes making toys for your dog, why not use the extras to build a cardboard cat condo? Cats and naturally curious and love exploring. The more you boxes you can involve in this ‘cat playhouse’, the happier they’ll be! This is also a fun project to get the kids involved with; they can decorate the boxes to look like a house, or a spaceship, or a car. Drop some toys or treats in the playhouse when you’re done and watch the cats explore!

Still got cardboard? Make your cat a DIY scratch pad! Cut your cardboard into strips and roll those strips into a tight circle until you’ve essentially made a tree stump. The exposed edges of the cardboard should visible on top and bottom. You can secure the ‘roll’ of cardboard with packaging tape or a bungee cord or whatever you like! Your cat will love the feeling of sinking their claws into that cute little stump you’ve made them. Decorate the outside however you like to make it more fun!