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Preventing Boredom the Zoo Way

Advice from Animal Expert Dr. Grey Stafford

Now that the new school year has started, many pets find themselves with a lot more “alone” time on their hands, err, paws.  This can mean a bored animal, which can lead to behavior problems, including soiling the carpet, eating the furniture or howling all day. It's up to us to make sure alone time equals successful behavior, not problem behavior.

The Problem
Without us around most of the day, a pet’s environment can be dull and unchanging.  A static environment isn’t just an issue for domestic animals; it can pose a challenge for zoo animals and their keepers, too.

A typical zookeeper may have dozens or even hundreds of animals to care for each day.  So it's not only important to make the time they spend with the animals as productive as possible, it's also important to make sure the animals have interesting habitats to engage their bodies and their brains throughout the day or night.

The Solution
Zookeepers use their experience with the animals to discover what items and activities they prefer, as well as ones they don’t.  That way, keepers can use these favored, enrichment items to reward animals for displaying calm, species-specific behaviors.  By varying the type and location of enrichment, every day is like a new habitat with a new set of mental and physical challenges that will ensure the well being of the animal and keep it from being bored.  For example, in the photo, you can see a dromedary camel after shedding its coat.  In the background, keepers have bolted a scrub brush to the wall to help it scratch any itch, which makes the camel feel better and simulates its natural habitat. 

Try It At Home
Pet owners can use the same principles to help their animals adjust to the same old back yard, dog run or living room.   The secret is providing them some variety in an otherwise very predictable day home alone.

Boredom Prevention Tips:

1. Track the Toys
Collect every toy the pet has and keep them in a box away from the pet.  Each morning before you leave, stash a few toys in locations where the pet can find them throughout the day.  To keep things interesting, add a little piece of kibble under each toy.  At night, collect the toys and put them back in the box.  The next day, pick a different set of toys. 

Grey’s Rule of Thumb:  the most rewarding toy is the one your pet hasn’t seen (gotten bored with) in a while.

2. Prevent Disasters
Young animals, especially puppies, need to chew. Show them what are acceptable chew objects or they will choose for you.  Don’t leave shoes, purses and other chewable items within reach of your pet.  Use oversized thick ropes or Kong-like toys to help teething pets.  A little drop of peanut butter placed deep inside a kong can occupy their time for minutes or even hours.  If your pet is really fast at finding the prize, use old brown bags and cardboard boxes to the hide the item and extend the duration of fun.    Better to pick up used cardboard than the stuffing from your mattress.

3. Make Random Visits Home
Whenever possible, try to get home to spend lunch with your pets or ask a neighbor to check in on them.  Be sure to “arrive” at a time when they are calm or sleeping, not chewing on your Prada or digging in the yard.  Your surprise visit is a huge reward, so make certain it's for the kinds of behaviors you want them to repeat! 

~ Dr. Grey

Learn more about Dr. Grey Stafford

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