3 Fun Indoor Activity Ideas to Avoid the Sun This Summer 2021

Summer’s here! For many of us, warmer days mean spending more time outside enjoying activities such as biking, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and camping. And if you’re a doting pet parent, you want to include your furry child in as many of your outdoor adventures as possible. But when the weather gets too hot, it’s better to postpone an outing to a cooler day. 

A scavenger hunt is a great way to satisfy your pet’s innate instincts and curiosity. It also gets your furry friend moving so that they can still get some exercise despite being indoors. 

To set up the hunt, place your cat or dog in a separate room so that they don’t see you hiding the treats. Hide a bunch of strong-smelling treats strategically around the house in places that are safe for your pet to access. Some good spots are behind doors, under pillows, in room corners, and next to furniture. For cats, you can put treats in higher places such as shelves and their cat tree. 

If your companion animal is already familiar with scavenger hunts, you can turn up the challenge by placing treats inside boxes and their toys as well. For dogs, try hiding some pieces inside a rolled up towel. And for very little effort, you can quickly create puzzle toys out of ordinary household items. Toilet paper rolls, newspapers, and boxes can easily be turned into a snuffle box that your dog can tear into. 

Once everything’s set up, let your cat or dog out. They may smell the treats right away and start searching, or you may have to give them a hand in finding the goodies.

Keep your four-legged BFF active at home by setting up an indoor obstacle course for them. The good news is, this can be done even with limited space. And you certainly don’t need any fancy equipment, either; you can just use things you already have. 

Create a maze for cats by placing pillows and cushions around the room. Or cut out holes into the sides of boxes and put them together to construct a cardboard kitty labyrinth. If your feline friend isn’t showing interest, try planting a few treats throughout the maze to encourage them to explore. 

Take this opportunity to teach your furry friend some new tricks or practice what they already know. For dogs, training offers mental stimulation and builds confidence. Plus spending all that time together strengthens your bond with each other. When it’s too hot outside, training keeps your canine companion from getting bored. 

Felines also benefit from training. In addition to providing mental stimulation and a stronger bond, training teaches your cat to stay calm and feel more comfortable during checkups, grooming, and while inside a carrier.

Remember, regular enrichment is essential to your four-legged friend’s well-being. The indoor activities suggested above will allow your dog or cat to engage in their natural behaviors and encourage them to use their noggin, resulting in a companion animal who’s busy, entertained, and healthy!