Enrichment for our dogs
What is Enrichment? (A brief overview)
'Give them a kong', ' feed them in a snuffle mat', 'let them sniff', 'explore somewhere new'. You may have heard these being said about your dog, or you may have said them to someone else.
These are all examples of enrichment. To get technical, enrichment is defined as:
-Cambridge Dictionary
For our dogs, improving their quality of life by helping them stimulate their brain.
Don't forget- dogs have the brains equivalent to toddler even when they are grown up, so food, toys, smells, play and environments are all information that your dog will process. Utilise it! Enrichment is so often overlooked as a need for our pets, but it is so easy to provide and is often essential.
Why do pets need enrichment?
In FurFit fashion, I believe enrichment is vital as it caters to mental and physical fitness. Enrichment first made a significant impact in Zoos, to help the animals adapt to their captive environment. The more opportunities they had to express what we knew to be their behaviour in the wild, the better their welfare and quality of life became. Therefore, increasing the emotional well-being and increasing desirable behaviours in our pets, as they too are having to adapt to our homes and lifestyles. Enrichment therefore functions as a way to replicate key behavioural outlets that would normally occur in natural environments.
A lack of enrichment is strongly associated with the development of behavioural issues, many of which are common reasons for relinquishment or euthanasia in companion animals. Prevention is better than cure with behaviour, so doing your research and doing the right things with your pet can save you a lot of trouble in the long run!
Each of the types of enrichment below can help meet our dogs' needs, as the Hierarchy of dog needs (Linda Michaels) shows. Enrichment also allows us to meet the 5 freedoms of animal welfare.
Confused or overwhelmed?
The world of enrichment is ridiculously large, and getting bigger. All the things you can do with your dog can be overwhelming, and then to be told you can do it wrong! Enriching your pets life should be a fun, hassle free process that fits into your life without you even needing to think about it. If you want this, FurFit happily offers a short consultation (for free!) to help you navigate what is right for you and your pet, just get in touch. :)
Types of enrichment
Food
The most easily accessible enrichment- all dogs eat! There are many ways to use food to enrich your pets life.
Social
The right amount of interaction can allow dogs the social life they desire- but every individual has different limits.
Toys
Squeakers, chewers, fetchers and puzzlers, toys can be utilized not only for play, but major mental stimulation.
Environmental
Enrichment surrounds us. Every walk is an overload of information- new places can be gifts!
Scent
A bit more dog-centric, but scent enrichment can be very easily incorporated into your dogs life- it is already!
Training
This can be used with every type of enrichment, but the basis of it allows you and your pet to form a safe bond.
Want to know specific products to get? Get in touch, FurFit can recommend the most ideal products or activities for you and your pet.
Dangers of Enrichment
I know- after all that about how good it is.... but it is important to know that too much of a good thing, we know how that goes.
Too much enrichment can overwhelm any pet, younger ones especially. Kitten/Puppies are still learning the world, if they get given the equivalent of Disneyland, they learn that the world is Disneyland, then most likely will always expect Disneyland. This isn't realistic or achievable in most cases. You need a balance, not too much or too little. Enrichment should be easy and fun to add into your life and your pets, not a chore to keep up with.
If you aren't sure, please contact me. I am more than happy to help with any enrichment queries!
Esme :)
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