As our dogs age, they may slow down physically but that doesn’t mean they’ll want to lay around all day. It’s important keep your senior dog’s mind active. Just like people, as dogs get older they may experience symptoms of dementia or other cognitive conditions. Keeping your senior dog mentally enriched can slow the worsening of these age-related conditions. Here are some fun ways to provide mental enrichment for your senior dog.
Favorite Activities:
When it comes to keeping your senior dog’s mind engaged, think about the activities they like best. In a dog’s older years, it might not be possible to do the same activities they once loved but see if you can find modifications that work. If your dog loves learning new tricks, find low-impact tricks your dog can still physically do (e.g. touch).
Practicing obedience skills is a great way to keep their memory sharp. If you have a dog who loves to hike, research short and accessible hiking trails close by.
Low Impact Games:
Finding low-impact games to play is another great way to provide mental enrichment for your aging dog. Play hide and seek with some of your dog’s favorite balls or toys. Start by hiding them in easy-to-find locations and then send your dog to find them. Make sure to give lots of praise and encouragement for your dog when they find the hidden toy.
Once your dog understands the game, make the hides more complicated. Hide the toys in more challenging locations, so your dog continues to be challenged. If you find your dog is enjoying these games, consider starting nose work or barn hunts, both of which are lower-impact sports where senior dogs can excel.
Give Your Dog Puzzles:
There is a wide range of puzzle toys for dogs you can try. Puzzle activities are a great way to provide mental enrichment for your senior dog. Some puzzles can be filled with treats or UnKibble. Your dog then figures out how to manipulate the puzzle with their paws and nose to access the hidden treats. These puzzles can keep your dog’s mind sharp and enrich your dog as they age.
Play Mealtime Games:
One of the easiest ways to stimulate your senior dog mentally is to turn mealtime into an enrichment game. Instead of giving your senior dog their meal in a bowl, can put the food in a slow feeder or scatter it on your patio or backyard. Slow-feed puzzle bowls are an easy way to introduce your dog to turning mealtime into a game. These dog bowls have different ridges and designs inside that your dog has to manipulate with their tongue to get the food.
You can also put some (or all) of your dog’s meals into food-releasing balls that your dog has to move to get their food. Another option is a snuffle mat, so your dog sniffs and forages through the fabric mats to find their meal. All these enrichment activities provide your dog with the opportunity to hunt and work to access their food which provides your senior dog with mental stimulation and exercise.
Take Sniffy Walks:
Your senior dog might not be walking as far as they used to, but let your dog’s nose control where you go on your next walk. If it’s safe, allow your senior dog to take sniffy walks and sniff as much as they want without hurrying them along. Sniffing is a naturally enriching and relaxing activity for dogs and a great way to provide senior dogs with the opportunity to learn about the world around them.
Keep Dogs Involved:
Senior dogs can mentally and emotionally thrive when they stay connected to their families. One of the best ways to keep your senior dog’s mind active and engaged is to ensure they aren’t left behind and can participate and stay included in family events and activities. This might look like getting a wagon to give your senior dog a chance to ride along places they used to be able to walk or shifting where you go on family outings, so they aren’t too difficult for your senior dog. Remember, our senior dogs are just as bonded and attached to their families as younger dogs.
