Pet interactions: Shaping positive experiences

Pets need opportunities to behave in ways that are natural to them. Activities such as sniffing, scratching, chewing, exploring, and playing can provide physical exercise and mental stimulation while helping pets express their natural behaviours.

Use your activity sheet to match different behaviours, such as scratching, sniffing, hiding, chewing, and zoomies, to their purpose. Then, consider what might happen if a pet doesn't have adequate opportunities to express these behaviours.
 

Read the stories in more detail on your activity sheet about Bella, Zeke, and Eric. Think about what behaviours and needs the pets might have, and what they might need to help them meet those needs.

• Bella the cat keeps scratching the sofa and doesn't have a suitable place to scratch.
• Zeke the dog has lots of energy but only gets short walks and spends lots of time indoors.
• Eric the rabbit spends most of his day alone in a small enclosure with nowhere to hide, dig, or explore.
   

Pets need opportunities to behave naturally. Activities such as playing, exploring, and investigating their surroundings can help support their physical and mental well-being.

Choose one of the activities below or another suitable activity for a pet you know:

• Sniffari walk with a dog
• Hunting-style play with a cat
• Digging box for rabbits
• Scratching post for a cat
• Safe space to explore for guinea pigs

Give it a go! If you have access to a suitable pet, and with adult supervision where needed, try the activity and observe your pet taking part. Pay attention to what they choose to do and how they respond.

Whilst observing your pet, think about what natural behaviour the activity encourages, how it benefits the pet and anyone or anything else.