Online Pharmacy
When winter brings long stretches of cold, snow, and limited daylight, many pets spend more time indoors — and that can lead to restlessness, boredom, and behavioral changes.
If your dog seems more destructive or your cat less active this time of year, you’re not alone. Finding simple ways to keep pets mentally stimulated and physically active indoors is essential during winter. With the right activities, you can help your pet stay happier, healthier, and more balanced all season long.
Pet enrichment refers to activities and environments that engage a pet’s natural instincts — such as sniffing, hunting, chewing, problem-solving, and exploring.
Enrichment isn’t just about entertainment. It plays a direct role in your pet’s overall health by helping to:
Without adequate enrichment, pets may develop unwanted behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, pacing, litter box issues, or lethargy — especially during winter months.
Cold temperatures, snow, ice, and limited daylight often reduce outdoor activity for pets. Shorter walks and fewer opportunities to explore can lead to pent-up energy and frustration.
Indoor enrichment provides an important outlet when:
The goal is not to replace outdoor activity entirely, but to supplement it with meaningful indoor engagement.
1. Scent games and nose work. Dogs experience the world primarily through scent. Hide treats or favorite toys around the house and encourage your dog to “find it.” This taps into their instincts and provides powerful mental stimulation with very little physical space required.
2. Puzzle toys and food-dispensing feeders. Puzzle feeders turn mealtime into a problem-solving activity. They slow down fast eaters, encourage focus, and help burn mental energy — all while your dog eats.
3. Indoor obstacle courses. Create a simple course using household items like chairs, boxes, cushions, and blankets. Guide your dog through tunnels, around obstacles, or over low jumps to engage both mind and body.
4. Hide-and-seek. Hide yourself, a toy, or treats and let your dog search. This game reinforces training cues while providing mental enrichment and a sense of accomplishment.
5. Training and learning new tricks. Short training sessions are excellent mental workouts. Teaching new tricks or reinforcing basic commands builds confidence, improves communication, and provides structure during long winter days.
6. Snuffle mats and DIY brain games. Snuffle mats allow dogs to forage for food using their noses. You can also create simple puzzles using muffin tins, tennis balls, or cardboard boxes to hide treats.
7. Interactive indoor play. Games like tug-of-war, hallway fetch, or supervised bubble chasing provide movement and connection — even when it’s too cold to play outside.
Cats benefit just as much from enrichment, especially when winter keeps windows closed and activity limited.
Helpful options include:
Even a few minutes of intentional play each day can make a noticeable difference.
Pets quickly lose interest in activities that never change. Rotating toys, games, and challenges weekly helps maintain curiosity and engagement. Variety matters more than quantity.
If you’re unsure which enrichment activities are best for your pet’s age, health, or personality, your veterinarian can help guide you. At Onalaska Animal Hospital, we regularly discuss enrichment as part of overall wellness — especially for pets dealing with arthritis, anxiety, weight management, or behavioral concerns.
Indoor enrichment supports both mental and physical health, making it one of the most effective tools for keeping pets healthy during long winter months.
Winter doesn’t have to mean boredom for your pet. With thoughtful indoor enrichment, you can keep their mind engaged, their body moving, and their stress levels low — no matter how cold or snowy it gets outside.
If you have questions about enrichment, behavior changes, or your pet’s overall wellness this winter, the team at Onalaska Animal Hospital is here to help.
