Dog enrichment: Veterinarian advice on improving your pup's quality of life
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When it comes to dog health, owners know it's important to choose healthy food, provide enough exercise and hit the vet for regular checkups. Beyond that, there are other ways to keep your dog happy and healthy, and they fall under a separate category: "enrichment."
"'Enrichment' is a bit of an umbrella term," veterinarian Dr. Dani Shecterit told "Good Morning America" over email recently while discussing the importance of incorporating mentally stimulating play into dogs' routines. "It encompasses anything that gives a dog the chance to use their normal, genetically ingrained behaviors in a positive way."
She added, "A walk may get their legs moving, but enrichment gets their nose, brain, and natural instincts working, and both are extremely important to a fulfilling life for our dogs. A tired body is good, but a tired brain is better."
"GMA" was able to connect with Shecterit at a recent event with enrichment-forward brand Woof, where she met with attendees and their dogs to discuss canine health and quality of life.
Woof's founder, Daniel Haarburger, also provided insight into his choice to create products specifically to aide enrichment. Haarburger's dog, Milo, was around 1 year old when he underwent surgery to correct a luxating patella. Throughout Milo's healing, Haarburger sought ways to keep him entertained and mentally stimulated.
This led him to create the Pupsicle, Woof's hero product that continues to gain popularity thanks to the engaging nature of its chewable build and refillable cavity that offers multiple ways to up your dog's nutrition.
"It showed me how powerful it can be when you give dogs something that keeps both their bodies and minds engaged, and that idea has continued to shape the products we create today," Haarburger told "GMA" over email.
Ways to engage your dog's brain more
"The best type of enrichment engages a dog's natural, instinctual behaviors," Shecterit told us, adding that this includes "anything that lets your dog be a dog with an appropriate outlet."
These behaviors include licking, sniffing, chewing and problem-solving. For example: Let your dog sniff as long as they like when you take them outside for their walk, and invest in toys and treats that let them investigate smells and tastes to their heart's desire.
"Ultimately, positive reinforcement is the best way to keep your pets engaged with enrichment time," Shecterit added.
One of Shecterit's favorite toys from Woof to improve enrichment is the Walkabout, a toy designed to slowly release training treats, so your dog has to snoot around to get the reward.
The brand's lickmats are also popular, especially for low-mobility dogs who are food-motivated but can't play the way they used to. Spread a peanut butter-based treat like Woof's Pumpkin Butter into the grooves to give them a tasty, engaging snack that can also provide extra nutrients for aging pups.
The benefits of improved dog enrichment
Haarburger said he has one real goal in mind with Woof's enrichment products: to "create more moments of connection between people and their dogs."
He said he has heard countless stories from buyers, citing tales of dogs who had grown uninterested in toys, were recovering from illness or surgery, were exhibiting signs of anxiety, or were otherwise having a hard time. Seeing them click with a specific enrichment toy, he told us, is the most rewarding part of his job.
Shecterit told us the most immediate benefit of enrichment is "visible wins," such as noticing a "calmer, mentally rested dog" and "less destructive behavior in the home."
But the health benefits don't stop there.
"The gut-brain axis is real, and dogs with lower stress and lower baseline cortisol can have a healthier digestive tract," Shecterit said. "Besides this, chronically stressed dogs can have less immune resilience, which implies that enriched, calm dogs may mount better immune responses. Mentally engaged dogs tend to bounce back faster from stressful events, ranging from illnesses to thunderstorms."
The cognitive benefits are also "unmatched," Shecterit said.
"Consistent problem-solving and novelty drives neuroplasticity, literally building and preserving neural connections," she said. "This is one of the most powerful tools we have against cognitive decline in aging dogs."
Shecterit added, "Underneath all of this, cooperative enrichment builds trust between your and your pet, strengthening the human animal bond."
Shop more products to improve your dog's quality of life
Using these tips, consider investing in a Woof toy or treat, or perhaps another "GMA" pet lover favorite like Bedsure's cooling mat or Chewy's bestselling snuffle mat.
Nocciola Blueberry Swiss Roll Snuffle Mat & Crinkle Paper Squeaky Dog Enrichment Plush Toy, Purple
- $16.95
- $19.99
- Amazon
