Mental Stimulation

Why is mental stimulation important for my pet?

Our pets are descendants from wild animals that spent their days foraging for food, searching for shelter and being aware of predators. This exhausts a lot of mental energy. Our pets have pretty cushy lives; they don’t have to look for food or shelter but the natural instinct to do so is still there.
Lack of mental stimulation can lead to boredom and anxiety. If you are coming home to chewed furniture and shoes, this may be a sign that your high energy pet is bored and in need of something to do. There are no bad dogs, just bored ones.

There are many fun ways to exercise your pet’s mind that are not only fun for your pet but are fun for you too!
To name a few: obedience training, daily walks (switch up the location so your dog can experience new smells and scenery), doggie daycare, long lasting chews like Beef Cheeks or Natural Dog Deer Antlers, treat release toys like the Planet Dog Mazee ball or Snoop Toy with the Nook Ball inserted for an added challenge, Soda Pup Durable Can or Gear Toy, and the Outward Hound or Trixie Puzzle Toys.
Treat release toys are a great way to keep your dog entertained while you are away or if your energy level just isn’t matching theirs at the moment. With any toy or chew, we recommend knowing your dog’s chewing/playing style before leaving them unsupervised with treats and toys.
Mental stimulation is not just for dogs, cats benefit greatly from this as well. Cats also enjoy treat release toys like the Jackson Galaxy Asteroid Puzzle Toy and the Petsafe Egg-cersizer. For a 5-way sensory challenge, invest in the Trixie Fun Board, Poker Boxes or Brain Mover Game for Cats. To engage your cat’s inner hunter, toss them a Dezi & Roo Wiggly Ball or use a From the Field Freddy Feather Wand or Real Birds Wand for hours of fun. And if you want to give them some play while you’re away, set up the Bolt Laser Toy for automatic sensory stimulation even when you’re not around.