12 Rainy Day Pet Activities

While some pets absolutely love water and can’t wait to get outside, other pets may avoid going if they see it’s raining outside. If your furry friend doesn’t jump at the chance to go outside, or if you want to keep things clean, you may want to get creative on a rainy day. Below you’ll see twelve fun ways to keep your pet entertained and happy until the weather clears.

1. Play Hide and Seek

This game is exactly what you think it is. You have one person who gives your dog a sit and stay cue while another person hides. When you’re ready, your dog can start looking for the hider. This is a fun way to spend an afternoon when your pet can’t go outside. You can also play hide and seek with treats. Begin with something simple to make sure they understand the game!

2. Do a Doggie Play Date

If your dog loves to be around other dogs, invite their furry friend over for an indoor play date. You could set up an obstacle course for them to run through or add some fun toys such as puzzles or towels for tug-of-war! If you don’t have the space for a playdate, though, you could also head over to Pet Palace as we offer day care services with plenty of play time!

3. Have a Spa Day

Every pet deserves to be pampered and there are so many benefits of giving your pet a spa treatment at home. You could start with a proper massage, allowing your pet to fully relax. Next, you can give your pet a pedicure so they can look their best. After trimming their nails, you can move on to a warm bath to make them fresh and clean. Once your pet is out of the bath, you’ll want to dry and brush them thoroughly. Lastly, end everything on a great note with some treats.

In addition to spa days at home, you could also pamper them with full grooming services at Pet Palace. If you’d rather leave it to professionals to give your pet the proper care, bring them in! We offer a variety of services such as bathing, hair trims, nail cutting and more. Come by because we are here to help!

4. Teach Them New Tricks

Another great way to keep your furry friend busy is by teaching them new tricks – or refreshing them on old ones – and engaging in some training. Whether it’s polishing up on basic commands or giving them some new tasks to try out, you’ll not only test them physically but also mentally, doubly benefiting them.

5. Use Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are great for mentally stimulating your dogs. They help to keep them focused on one thing, and when it’s raining outside they’re the ideal toy for keeping your pet busy. You can buy these toys or create them yourself, depending on what you’re looking for. Some examples of puzzle toys include:

• Snuffle mat – This is an interactive feeding mat that lets you hide your dog’s favorite treats. This type of enrichment helps provide stimulation and keeps your pet entertained.
• Kong – This popular chew toy can definitely entertain your pet. You can stuff these toys with peanut butter or treats, and even freeze them with broth or other food!
• Lick mat – This toy was originally designed to promote calm behavior and reduce anxiety by encouraging a licking action. This is great, because extended licking releases a calming hormone in both dogs and cats. If your pet gets anxious when the weather is bad outside, this could be a perfect way to distract them.

6. Go to Dog-Friendly Spots

If you’re really wanting to get out on a rainy day, one thing you could do is visit some dog-friendly spots! While you’ll want to do some research to be sure, some common dog-friendly places include:

7. Play with Bubbles

Pets love to play with bubbles, just like kids do! Make it a game and let them pop all the bubbles in the air. Be sure that you use non-toxic bubbles for their safety, though, and you can also find special flavored bubbles, meant especially for your dogs!

8. Create an Obstacle Course

If your dog loves to run outside and is pretty active, you may want to set up a challenge inside when it’s raining so that they can stay moving. Get creative and set up an obstacle course for your dog to go through, giving them the chance to climb over and under objects, jump over things, go through tunnels, and more!

While you could purchase equipment for this, you could also use things like hula hoops, pillows, boxes, and other items you might have lying around. At the end, you can reward them with a treat for completing the course.

9. Play Tug-of-War

This game is perfect as it doesn’t take up a ton of space, but still allows your pet to play and get some physical exercise. Playing tug-of-war can also be a great way to train your dog and teach them self-control.

10. Try the Shell Game

Also known as the three-cup game, the purpose of this activity is to help your pet with their problem-solving skills. The idea is to take out three cups and place a small ball or treat under one of them. Let your dog see you hide the treat and then shuffle the cups. See if your dog can pick the right one – with practice they likely will be able to!

11. Make Homemade Treats

Your pet will love this one! You can find tons of recipes online for pet treats, with many of them using typical household ingredients you may have on hand. Regardless of the weather, this is an activity you’ll definitely want to try.

12. Relax on the Couch

This may seem simple, but after doing a few activities it might just be what’s needed to end a perfect day. Although we want our pets to be busy and engaged, they also deserve to have some time to settle down.

Spend time together on the couch and watch some television. Give your dog some quiet alone time as well. You can typically read your pet’s body language and understand if they want to be cuddled or not. They’re sure to appreciate the attention!

Contact Our Team at Pet Palace!

At Pet Palace, we understand that your pet is a top priority, which is why we treat them as if they were our own! With a unique model built around your pet’s safety and comfort, we are able to provide customized care that makes an impact.

If you’re ever in search of grooming, daycare, or dog and cat boarding services, be sure to contact us today!

Categories: Cats, Do It Yourself, Dogs, Tips for Your Pets