Our busier lifestyles mean many pets are spending more time home alone and higher housing densities mean more pets are living in smaller spaces and more frequently indoors. This can increase both the incidence and impact of problem behaviours, especially destructive behaviour caused by boredom.
Research indicates that whilst many pet owners rarely or never experience problems with their pets, some pets will demonstrate that they are bored and lonely through destructive behaviour. With younger pets, destructive behaviour can sometimes stem from normal play, so it’s a great idea to have strategies in place to help prevent or manage this issue. The key to preventing pets becoming bored and destructive is to keep them entertained. For dog owners in particular an enriched environment, plenty of exercise and training are vital.
Tips to help prevent boredom:
- Regular exercise, play and training will help expend energy and keep your pet entertained
- Spend as much time as possible with your pet – always allow your pet to be indoors with you when you are home
- Provide extra human or animal company by arranging friends or family to visit your pet when you’re not home. Swap play dates with fellow dog owners or take advantage of dog walking or doggy day care services
- Leave the television or radio on for your pet when you’re not home so there is low level background noise and a sense of human voices
- Enrich your pet’s environment. Have a variety of safe toys for your pet to play with and change them on a regular basis
- Hide treats around your yard or house for your pet to find.
- Use food dispensing and puzzle toys- these are toys that you can fill with dry kibble (you can use your dog’s daily ration) and your dog has to figure out how to get the food out. This gives them something to do in your absence.
- Provide your cat with scratching posts to help protect your furniture. Create climbing opportunities and raised places for cats to sit
- Consider getting a second cat or even a cat as company for your dog
Tips to help manage destructive behaviour:
- Pet-proof your home. If a pet plays havoc with one particular area or room of your home, don’t allow them to access that area when you’re not around
- Minimise the risk of damage to anything precious or valuable by storing them in a secure place
- Ensure garbage bins and electrical cords and wires can’t be accessed by your dog
- Keep bench surfaces clear of anything that could be knocked over and broken by your pet
If problems arise or persist and you’re not sure how to deal with them, seek professional assistance. And remember, if your dog keeps chewing your shoes it’s probably because you’re leaving your shoes where your dog can find them – don’t leave things lying around!