For pets, mental stimulation is as important to their health as good nutrition, vaccinations and walks.
We have a variety of intelligence toys for dogs , and educational toys for cats that allow your pets to entertain themselves while they are alone, forcing them to solve simple situations or develop new skills to obtain a reward.
For example, they must learn to remove or move a lid to retrieve a hidden treat, push a piece with their paw, or turn a teething ring to get something tasty hidden inside.
We remind you that it is harmful for your pet, in the case of a dog, to be alone for more than 4-6 hours a day. Cats tolerate solitude more, but it is never appropriate to prolong this state.
Enlist the help of someone else to spend time with your pets in your absence. In cases where this is not possible, an excellent option for dogs is to opt for a dog daycare , where they will receive adequate care and company in your absence .
Usefulness of educational games for dogs
Educational games offer dogs not only entertainment but also mental stimulation. These activities not only encourage fun, but also challenge their cognitive skills in beneficial ways.
Toys for active dogs
There are dogs that are more intelligent or restless and require more stimulation than others ; an example is hunting dogs, whose instinct is to search and follow trails. These dogs tend to be restless and need to do a lot of physical activity every day.
Any game that encourages them to use their sense of smell to search for objects will give them a lot of pleasure and keep them happy and alert.
Some shepherd dogs, such as Border Collies , constantly need new challenges . Agility exercises and games in which they have to solve situations like those mentioned above are perfect for them.
These types of dogs are bursting with energy; if you don’t give them something healthy to spend their time on, they’ll likely find something else to do, such as barking incessantly, jumping compulsively, breaking things around the house, or digging holes in the garden . So this type of toy is useful for preventing unwanted behavior.
Games for sedentary dogs
On the other hand, there are more sedentary breeds or dogs with some physical problem that are forced to stay still for many hours. These animals get very bored. It is very common for large granulomas to develop from incessant licking of their paws when they cannot find anything else to do. They will also benefit from interactive games.
Usefulness of educational games for cats
Cats don’t even get a chance to go out for a walk, so they’ll also enjoy a nice scratching post with activities or one of these educational toys.
Some examples are  Kong toys , which have a cavity with small holes where biscuits can be inserted; cats must bite them, twist them and squeeze them to get them out and eat them.
Once they learn how to do it, you can increase the degree of difficulty by adding a tasty pasta, which makes it more attractive, but makes the task even more difficult and interesting.
Other examples are intelligence games for cats . These also hide interesting treats or toys, which may include catnip in the case of cats. In these games, pets must move or remove lids to discover their prizes; in some cases they must push them with their snout and in others they must take pieces with their mouth to remove them.
Finally, remember that these toys are an aid to make your pet’s life happier, to combat boredom or to provide a few hours of entertainment in your absence. What they need, whether it’s a dog or a cat, is for you to spend time with them, play and interact, giving them company and affection.
