Indoor Games and Activities
Keep your pets entertained inside with creative, free-to-play games.
Why Indoor Enrichment Matters
Australian summers regularly push temperatures above 35°C, making outdoor exercise dangerous for pets. Hot pavement can burn paw pads in as little as 60 seconds when air temperatures hit 30°C. Rainy days, bushfire smoke, and thunderstorms can also keep pets indoors for extended periods.
Having a repertoire of indoor games means your pet stays stimulated regardless of the weather. These activities require no special equipment and can be adapted for dogs, cats, and small pets.
Indoor Games for Dogs
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Hide and seek: Have someone hold your dog while you hide in another room. Call them and let them find you. Reward with a treat and lots of praise.
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The cup game: Place a treat under one of three overturned cups. Let your dog watch, then shuffle the cups and let them choose. This builds focus and problem-solving skills.
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Training sessions: Short (5-10 minute) sessions teaching new tricks are some of the best enrichment available. Try “touch” (nose to hand), “spin”, “shake”, or “find it”. Even old dogs love learning new tricks.
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Obstacle course: Use cushions, chairs, broomsticks across buckets, and blanket tunnels to create a simple indoor agility course. Lure your dog through with treats.
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Which hand: Hold a treat in one closed fist and present both fists to your dog. Let them indicate the correct hand with a nose touch or paw. Simple, quick, and endlessly repeatable.
Never exercise pets outdoors when the temperature exceeds 28°C. Press the back of your hand to the pavement for 7 seconds — if it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for paws. Shift walks to early morning or after sunset, and rely on indoor enrichment during the heat of the day.