Winter’s chilly weather can sometimes put a damper on outdoor play, but that doesn’t mean your pet’s enrichment activities need to slow down. If you're planning to board your pet during the winter months, you may be wondering how they will stay active, entertained, and mentally stimulated while you're away. Luckily, there are plenty of indoor enrichment activities that can keep your them happy, engaged, and relaxed during their stay. At Brooknelle Pet Hotel, we make it a priority to provide stimulating, fun, and cozy activities to keep your furry friend entertained all winter long.

Here are some of our favorite winter pet enrichment activities to ensure your pet’s stay is full of joy—even when it's cold outside.

Interactive Toys and Puzzles

When the weather outside is frightful, indoor enrichment becomes even more important. Interactive toys and puzzles are an excellent way to engage your pet’s brain and keep them occupied for hours.

• Puzzle Feeders/Lick Mats: Dogs and cats alike love puzzle feeders that challenge them to work for their food. These can be filled with treats or meals, encouraging problem-solving and slowing down mealtime.
• Kongs and Treat Dispensing Toys: For dogs, a stuffed Kong or treat-dispensing toy can be filled with peanut butter or their favorite treats, keeping them busy and mentally stimulated.
• Cat Enrichment: For cats, puzzle toys that hide treats or interactive toys that mimic prey can offer an exciting way to engage their instincts and curiosity.
  
  

Scent Work and Nose Games

Pets love using their noses—especially dogs. One great way to stimulate their minds during winter boarding is by introducing scent work activities.

• Treat Scavenger Hunts: We hide small treats around the indoor play room and let your dog track them down using their nose. It’s like a treasure hunt! This activity taps into their natural scenting abilities and provides both physical and mental enrichment.
• Sniff and Seek for Cats: Cats enjoy using their noses too. We hide catnip-filled toys or treats in various spots to encourage exploration and sniffing, giving them a satisfying and enriching experience.

Scent work is a fantastic way to tire out your pet, especially on days when they can’t get outside for a full walk.

Interactive Playtime and One-on-One Attention

Winter doesn’t have to mean staying cooped up—at Brooknelle, your pet will get plenty of love & attention from our staff!

• Tug-of-War and Fetch: Our team loves engaging dogs in games of tug-of-war or fetch indoors. These activities help burn off excess energy and give your dog a chance to bond with their caregivers and other dogs. (Please note that dogs are only blended with other dogs based on owner request/matched temperament)
• Interactive Play for Cats: For our feline friends, we use a variety of toys to engage them in one-on-one play sessions. Wand toys, balls, and crinkly cat toys can simulate hunting behavior and keep your cat active and engaged.

Our dedicated staff ensures that all pets receive the individual attention and playtime they need, no matter the weather.

 Calming and Relaxing Activities

Winter can be a stressful time for pets, especially if they’re not used to being away from home. To make their stay as relaxing as possible, we also offer calming activities to help pets unwind.

• Comforting Massage and Petting Sessions: Many pets enjoy gentle massages or simply a few moments of calm petting. This helps alleviate stress and anxiety, especially in an unfamiliar environment.
• Soothing Sounds: We play calming music or nature sounds to create a serene atmosphere for pets who need it.

Do you have a specific activity your pet loves during winter? Let us know, and we’d be happy to incorporate it into their boarding experience! Additional enrichment activities can be added on to your pet's reservation in Gingr or during their registration.