Our pets are such a blessing—they bring us joy when we come home after a long day at work. Their wagging tails and happy purrs lift our spirits when we feel down. But after a while, even our pets can get bored from being cooped up inside the house. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with the top 10 tips to keep your dog or cat happy indoors.
 
When it comes to staying at home, pets can make the experience more enjoyable. They’re there for us when we need to unwind after a tough day or when we just want some fun. Taking care of them is rewarding for both them and us. But staying at home with your pet can also be challenging. Here, you’ll find some tips on how to keep your pet happy and engaged.
 
10 Tips for Pet Happiness
 
1. Stick to Your Pet’s Routine
 
Your usual routine might have changed due to important events. In such times, it’s natural to let your pet’s habits slip too. However, experts warn: "It’s important to try to keep your pet’s routine as consistent as possible. Feeding, litter box use, and walks should happen at their usual times." They also remind us that maintaining good habits, like sitting before entering the house or not chewing on furniture, is another important way to keep your pet’s routine steady.
 
2. Allow Time for Rest
 
Your pet might be used to having some alone time while the family is out, so try to give them plenty of rest throughout the day. Pet behaviorists remind us: "It’s not good to overload your pet with too much socializing. Pets aren’t children. Owners don’t need to keep them busy all day long." So while your kids might need activities to fill their days, your cat or dog will be just fine—and even benefit from some quiet time. So, give your indoor cats some privacy—they love it.
 
3. Offer Long-Lasting Treats
 
For those group calls, homeschooling sessions, or moments when you just need a break, it can be helpful to give your pet a long-lasting treat to keep them entertained. Behaviorists remind us that while these treats can be a fun activity for your pet, it’s easy to overfeed them. Be mindful of the extra calories and adjust their meals accordingly.
 
4. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
 
Keeping nerves in check and channeling that nervous energy into something productive can be achieved through exercise. Staying active is good for you and your pet. You might not be able to take your dog to the park, but you can still find ways to burn off some energy. Even a trip to the mailbox can provide some exercise. If you’re stuck indoors, move some furniture to make space for a game of fetch or tug-of-war. Head to the backyard if you have one and play a game of chase. We recommend using exercise as another way to reinforce your pet’s schedule. Plan play sessions around the same time each day to encourage routine while providing physical and mental stimulation, and strengthening the bond between you and your pet.
 
5. Play Mind Games with Your Pet
 
Another great way to keep your pet occupied and channel their energy is through mental stimulation, like teaching them a new trick or two! Have you always wanted your dog to roll over or your cat to dance? Now is the perfect time for those lessons.
 
Pet behaviorists explain: "Just like people, pets experience what we call the ‘Eureka effect’—an emotional response to solving problems. That ‘Aha!’ moment when they finally figure something out brings a rush of positive emotions. Our pets experience this too." You can also use mealtime as a way to mentally enrich your pet’s day. Scatter their food around the house and let them use their sense of smell to find it, or incorporate a puzzle toy into feeding time to give them a little mental challenge.
 
6. Be a Good Roommate
 
Nobody likes a noisy roommate, and your pet is no exception! Now that you and your pet are spending more time together, keep in mind that pets can hear much better than we can, so try to minimize excessive noise. This will give them some time to rest. If background noise is necessary, consider playing some classical music (studies show it can help calm pets) on the TV, podcast, or radio from time to time.
 
7. Involve Kids in Pet Playtime
 
If you have kids at home, get them involved in keeping your pet happy and healthy indoors. Now is a great time to reinforce pet manners and help kids understand pet body language. It can also be fun to include pets in your child’s learning. Kids still need to learn, and pets have been shown to help with certain aspects of learning (like reading), if the pet is cooperative.
 
8. Stick to a Healthy Diet
 
You might be indulging in mac and cheese or lots of comfort foods these days, but that doesn’t mean your pet can’t stick to their healthy diet. Don’t start feeding table scraps just because your “table” is now the couch. Keep up with your pet’s feeding schedule and stick to their usual food as much as possible. If you’re rewarding your pet more than usual for being such a great companion (because let’s face it, they deserve it!), remember that no more than 10% of their daily calories should come from treats.
 
9. Create a “Safe Space” for Your Pet
 
Your pet might need some personal space to feel safe and comfortable during a time when there are suddenly more people around. This is especially true for cats, but dogs can benefit from having a "safe space" too. If you think your pet might be overwhelmed by the sudden change, make sure they have a safe spot that everyone in the household respects. When they’re there, consider them "off-limits," and help your kids understand that pets in their special spot should be left alone until they’re ready to come out and play.
 
10. Get Creative!
 
To keep your pets busy and happy when going out for new toys isn’t possible, think outside the box with DIY toys and enrichment. Provide playful toys that your dog or cat can destroy. This could be something like a cardboard tube hidden with treats inside or a plastic bottle they can chew on to get rewards. Having a productive way to release any destructive energy can be helpful—for both your pet and your shoes, of course :) Looking for more creative ways to entertain your dog or cat indoors? We’ll provide a guide on the best creative ideas to keep pets entertained and their energy spent.