Aside from the added bonus of making you and all of Instagram happier, play is really important for your pet right now. They’re off their routine and picking up on all your stress and anxiety. More playtime will actually help them feel calmer and behave better so we can all stay as relaxed as possible during this difficult time.

THE GUIDE TO INDOOR PLAY

TIRE THEM OUT

It’s time to turn off the TV and pick up a ball. Or any toy you can toss for that matter. Interactive play like fetch will cheer both of you up a little, plus it wipes your pet out so they’ll sleep better and want to go outside less. Don’t forget, this is a great chance to work on “drop it” if your pet likes to play hard to get.

MAKE THEM THINK

Remember how you broke out the 1000 piece puzzle this weekend and still haven’t finished all of it? Your dog could use something to mull over too. Interactive toys are designed to take your dog some time to solve, which can come in handy when you need to occupy them for say, the length of an awkward video work call.

TEST THEIR SENSES

Turn being stuck in the house into a challenge. Try games of hide and seek where you place treats in hard-to-find places and let your dog sniff them out. Or, better yet, let them find you. Once you’ve hidden, call your pet to come find you. We guarantee the look on their face when they surprise you will be totally worth it.

LET THEM WORK FOR DINNER

Us humans are ready to curl up with some comfort food, but dogs are a little different. They actually have a lot of fun working for their food, so why not make mealtime part of their entertainment? Use a treat-dispensing toy for snacks or serve a whole meal in a treat-stuffing toy.

LOOKING FOR MORE ADVICE? EXPLORE MORE INDOOR TOYS AND DISCOVER YOUR PET’S PLAY STYLE.