You’re settling into your workday when you suddenly feel a nose nudging your arm or hear an impatient meow from across the room. Your dog wants to play. Your cat is knocking pens off your desk. Sound familiar?
Dogs and cats can get bored when they don’t have enough mental stimulation or physical activity. A bored pet may bark, meow, chew, scratch or constantly seek your attention. The good news? A few simple enrichment activities can help keep your dog or cat occupied while you’re working, running errands or checking things off your to-do list.
Below, our pet experts share easy boredom busters to help keep your pet mentally engaged, active and content throughout the day.
Need a quick answer? Skip ahead to our Ask an Expert: Pet Boredom Busters FAQs at the end of this article.
“HOW DO I KNOW IF MY DOG OR CAT IS BORED?”
Signs your dog or cat may be bored include:
- Excessive barking or meowing
- Chewing furniture or household items
- Scratching where they shouldn’t
- Pacing around the house
- Following you from room to room
- Digging
- Knocking things off tables or shelves
- Overgrooming
- Trouble settling down
If these behaviors sound familiar, use the guide below to match your pet’s behavior with a simple enrichment idea.
“WHAT ARE THE BEST TOYS TO KEEP DOGS AND CATS ENTERTAINED?”
Interactive toys are one of the easiest ways to fight pet boredom. Toys like puzzle feeders, snuffle mats and treat-dispensing toys encourage your dog or cat to solve problems while earning rewards, providing valuable mental stimulation and encouraging independent play.
Giving your pet a fun challenge helps satisfy natural instincts, builds confidence and uses mental energy – which can leave them just as satisfied as physical exercise.
Enrichment ideas for dogs:
- Puzzle toys
- Snuffle mats
- Treat-dispensing toys
- Plush toys
- Tug toys
- Fetch toys
SAFETY TIP: Choose toys that match your pet’s age, size and chewing habits, and replace any toys that become worn or damaged.
“DO CHEWS HELP KEEP DOGS AND CATS BUSY?”
Absolutely. Chewing is a natural behavior that helps pets stay occupied while supporting their overall well-being.
Long-lasting chews can help reduce boredom, encourage relaxation, redirect unwanted behaviors and even support dental health. Be sure to choose a chew that’s appropriate for your pet’s size, age and chewing style. Our Pet Chew Guide can help you find the perfect pick.
“DO LICK MATS AND FROZEN TREATS HELP WITH PET BOREDOM?”
Lick mats and frozen enrichment toys are excellent ways to keep pets entertained. The repetitive licking motion can promote relaxation by releasing feel-good endorphins while giving your dog or cat a rewarding activity.
Fill a Woof Pupsicle, KONG, Toppl or lick mat with wet food, bone broth or a pet-safe treat mix, then freeze it before serving. Depending on the recipe, your pet may stay happily occupied for 20 minutes or longer.
SAFETY TIP: Always supervise your pet when they’re enjoying chews, frozen enrichment toys or interactive play.
“CAN TRAINING HELP PREVENT BOREDOM IN DOGS?”
Yes. Mental exercise is just as important as physical activity for many dogs.
Even a short 10-minute training session can challenge your dog’s brain, build confidence and help burn excess energy. If you have a few minutes between meetings or errands, grab some training treats and practice a favorite cue or introduce a fun new trick.
“DOES EXERCISE HELP PREVENT PET BOREDOM?”
Daily activity plays an important role in preventing boredom for both dogs and cats.
For dogs, walks, fetch and active play help burn energy while providing mental stimulation. Indoor cats benefit from climbing furniture, interactive wand toys and laser play (followed by a treat or toy to complete the hunt), giving them healthy outlets for their natural instincts.
“CAN CALMING SUPPLEMENTS HELP DOGS AND CATS RELAX?”
Sometimes boredom isn’t the whole story. If your dog or cat has trouble settling down, anxiety may also be contributing to their behavior.
Natural calming supplements containing ingredients like melatonin, chamomile, L-theanine or CBD may help promote relaxation. Not sure which option is best for your pet? Our Pet Supplement Guide can help you choose the right product for your best friend.
“HOW DO I KEEP MY CAT ENTERTAINED INDOORS?”
Indoor cats need enrichment just as much as dogs.
If your cat is scratching furniture, batting objects off counters or demanding constant attention, try offering activities that encourage natural feline behaviors. Interactive toys, cat scratchers, climbing furniture and cozy window perches all provide opportunities to climb, scratch, stalk, explore and observe.
Whether your pet enjoys chewing, solving puzzles, licking frozen treats, climbing or learning new skills, enrichment helps support both their physical and mental well-being. Visit your local pet experts to find toys, chews, treats and calming solutions for your dog or cat – and don’t be afraid to ask us anything about keeping your pet healthy, happy and entertained.
ASK AN EXPERT: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT PET BOREDOM BUSTERS
How can I keep my dog entertained while I’m working from home?
Give your dog independent activities like puzzle toys, frozen lick mats, treat-dispensing toys and long-lasting chews. A walk or quick training session before you start work can also help reduce boredom throughout the day.
How do I keep my cat entertained while I’m busy?
Keep your indoor cat engaged with interactive toys, food puzzles, cat tunnels, scratching posts and climbing furniture. Rotating toys every few days can help maintain your cat’s interest.
How much playtime do dogs and cats need each day?
Most dogs benefit from 30-60 minutes of daily activity, while cats typically enjoy several shorter play sessions spread throughout the day.
Are lick mats and frozen treats good for dogs and cats?
Yes! Frozen enrichment toys and lick mats provide mental stimulation while encouraging calming licking behavior. Try freezing wet food, bone broth or pet-safe treats to make the activity last longer.
Why is mental enrichment important for pets?
Mental enrichment helps prevent boredom, supports natural instincts and can reduce unwanted behaviors like chewing, scratching or excessive vocalizing. Pairing enrichment with regular exercise helps keep pets healthy and engaged.
Can boredom cause destructive behavior in dogs and cats?
Yes – pets who don’t receive enough physical or mental stimulation may chew, scratch, bark, meow, pace or knock objects over. Enrichment activities, interactive toys and regular exercise can help redirect these behaviors.
When should I worry that my pet’s boredom is something else?
If unwanted behaviors continue even after increasing enrichment, exercise and playtime, schedule a visit with your vet. Persistent changes in behavior may indicate anxiety or an underlying medical condition.