Love is a four-legged word.

Involves activities designed to stimulate memory and problem-solving. For instance, hiding objects or treats encourages natural foraging behaviour, and rotating a variety of puzzle toys can offer stimulation to help prevent boredom or displacement.

Includes altering the complexity of an animal’s physical living space. Providing toys or dynamic physical structures provide animals more control over their environment, and may reduce destructive behaviour associated with frustration or stress.

Encourages animals to perform natural foraging and feeding behaviours with the use of food as a reward. Providing puzzle feeders or food hiding challenges can serve to reduce boredom, offer stimulation and increase physical activity.

Involves stimulating the senses, such as sight, sound or smell. For instance, the addition of nose work training can offer excellent cognitive and sensory stimulation as an animal works to forage for a hidden target (such as a treat) based on scent.

Encourages positive social interactions with others, which can encourage opportunities to display social behaviour, such as play. Enhancing social enrichment in your home can increase cognitive stimulation and mitigate social aggression.