As the year winds down, it’s time to get a bit less serious about life, money and work, and consider how much time we have devoted to our pets during the past year. Besides all the benefits that we as pet owners get from spending time with them (see the article ‘Building special bonds’ in the November 2022 edition of Animaltalk magazine), our pets also benefit hugely from every minute spent in our company.
1. Training opportunity
When you’re playing with your dog on the beach, in the park or in the garden, or if you’re playing with your cat, bird, rabbit or other small pet, you get the opportunity to teach them something new. By training your pet, you’re opening a new world to him, and you are developing his brain with new challenges and activities.
2. Mental stimulation
When you develop his brain and stimulate his mind, you prevent him from becoming bored. The more you teach him new activities, tricks and cues, the better behaved your pet will be. And the more animals learn, the more they want to learn – especially if they get rewarded with a treat or simply by being able to spend time with you. You’ll be amazed by how clever animals really are.
There are a variety of physical and mental games that you can play with your pet, which include puzzle toys and snuffle mats.
3. Boosts confidence
Playing with your pets helps them to make decisions – for example, they need to decide if they want to follow your cue, or if they want to return the ball when you’re playing fetch. The more decisions they have to make, the more their brains develop, and all of this helps them to build more confidence. And a confident pet has less behavioural issues.
4. Burns energy
Running, walking, playing, jumping – all these activities will help your pet to burn some energy, which in turn helps keep him healthier. The more active your pet is, the less stressed, anxious or bored he will be, and the fewer behavioural problems will occur.
Would you like to read the rest of the article? Get the December/January 2023 Animaltalk magazine edition from retailers now, or order a printed or digital copy from www.coolmags.co.za.
