Long Evenings, Short Play Sessions: DIY Games for Dogs and Cats

Why Mental Work Is So Important

Did you know that sniffing around and solving puzzles can be just as tiring for your four-legged friend as going for a walk? When your dog uses its nose or your cat fishes a treat out of a hiding spot, their minds are working overtime. Even just a quarter of an hour of mental exercise leaves many furry friends pleasantly tired and content.

This is especially valuable in the fall and winter. Less outdoor activity often means more boredom indoors, and boredom tends to manifest itself in chewed-up shoes or late-night dashes through the apartment. To find out how much exercise your dog generally needs, check out our guide, “How Do I Give My Dog the Right Amount of Exercise?” For cats, it’s worth taking a look at activity feeding.

Before You Get Started: A Quick Safety Check

Just because something is homemade doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe. Avoid using tape, staples, plastic wrap, and string, which your pet could swallow. Stay with your pet while it plays, and put the toy away afterward. And since treats contain calories, it’s best to subtract them from your pet’s daily food allowance. Especially in winter, when dogs and cats are less active, the scale will quickly reflect this.

DIY Games for Your Dog

The Sniffer Role

Materials: old towel, treat | Time: 2 minutes | For: Beginners

Lay the towel flat, scatter treats on it, and roll it up loosely. If you like, you can also tie a knot in the middle of the roll. Your dog will now have to unroll the towel with its nose and paws to get to the treat. It’s a classic game that beginners, in particular, will enjoy right away.

The Muffin Pan Mystery

Materials: Muffin pan, tennis balls, treats | Time: 1 minute | For: Puzzlers

Place a treat in a few of the muffin pan cups and cover all the cups with tennis balls. Your dog has to figure out which balls are hiding a treat and push them aside with his snout or paw. Too easy? Then leave a few cups empty so he has to use his nose to search specifically.

The Sniff Box

Materials: Cardboard, newspaper, treats | Time: 3 minutes | For: all dogs

Fill a cardboard box with crumpled newspaper and hide a few treats inside. Now your dog can dig around, sniff, and even tear it up a little. That’s totally allowed and part of the fun. Just make sure he doesn’t eat the paper.

The Shell Game

Materials: three cups, treats | Time: ready to go right away | For: advanced learners

Hide a treat under one of three upside-down cups while your dog is watching, and slowly move the cups around. If he points to the correct cup with his nose or paw, he gets the reward. Start with one cup and increase the number once he understands the concept.

The Treasure Hunt

Materials: Treats or favorite toys | Time: 5 minutes | For: Sniffers

Have your dog wait in another room and hide treats around the house—at first in plain sight, and later under pillows or behind doors. Say “Search!” to get started. This treasure hunt is perfect for rainy evenings because it challenges both your dog’s nose and mind at the same time.

Our tip: Running out of treats for the games? As a Calingo customer, you can take advantage of exclusive partner offers through our loyalty program.

DIY Toys for Your Cat

The Fummelbrett Made from Toilet Paper Rolls

Materials: Shoe box lids, empty toilet paper rolls, dry food | Time: 5 minutes | For: all cats

Place the toilet paper rolls upright, close together, inside the lid of a shoebox so that they support each other. Put a few pieces of dry food inside some of the rolls. Your cat will fish the treat out with its paw, just like when it’s hunting.

The Egg Carton Snack Box

Materials: Egg carton, dry food | Time: 1 minute | For: Beginners

Place a few pieces of food in the compartments of an open egg carton. For more advanced cats, close the lid and cut small openings in it. This is a quick way to get started for cats that haven't had any experience with puzzle toys yet.

The Cardboard Cave

Materials: large piece of cardboard, scissors, favorite toy | Time: 5 minutes | For: little explorers

Cut a few paw-sized holes in an upside-down cardboard box and put a toy or treat inside. Your cat can fish for the treat through the holes or just slip right into the cave. Cardboard and cats—it’s always a perfect match.

The Cat Toy

Materials: Stick, short string, feather, or scrap of fabric | Time: 3 minutes | For: Hunters

Tie the feather to the string and the string to the stick. Move the fishing rod like a fleeing mouse: along the floor, behind furniture, and back out again. Very important: The fishing rod is only for playing together. Swallowed string can be dangerous for cats, so be sure to store the fishing rod safely after playtime.

Crinkle Cardboard

Materials: empty tissue box, crumpled paper, treats | Time: 1 minute | For: Curious people

Fill an empty tissue box with crumpled paper and a few treats. The rustling sound will pique your cat's curiosity, and it will have to reach through the opening with its paw to get the treat.

Our tip: Running out of treats for the games? As a Calingo customer, you can take advantage of exclusive partner offers through our loyalty program.

That keeps things exciting

Keep play sessions short and end them while your furry friend is still motivated and has just had a success. Vary the games so they don’t lose their appeal after a week, and don’t increase the difficulty until the concept is mastered. With cats, it helps to mimic their natural behavior: hunt, catch, eat. That’s why it’s best to offer a small reward at the end of a play session with the cat teaser.

And if the weather cooperates? Then let's head outside! You'll find ideas for your next hike in our " Fall Hikes with Your Dog" section.

Whether your pet is playing or out for a walk, Calingo Pet Insurance ensures your furry friend is well protected if something does happen.