How to Keep Your Dog Entertained While They’re Recovering From an Injury
You know how heart-wrenching it can be to see your dog in pain, so dealing with the aftermath of a relatively serious injury can be very stressful for both you and your dog. What’s worse is that you’re the responsible one. This means you’ll need to be something of a bad guy while your dog is injured so that your furry friend doesn’t reopen his wounds.
Keeping your dog entertained without using exercise can be a challenge, but with this simple guide, you’ll know how to care for your pup and keep him entertained through all stages of recovery.
Get the Injury Checked Out and Addressed by a Vet
The first thing you should do when your dog gets injured is to take them to a vet like those at saltwateranimalhospital.com. Your veterinarian will examine the injury and provide the necessary treatment. It’s crucial to follow their instructions carefully, including any medication or follow-up appointments. A vet will also be able to advise you on how to keep your dog entertained while they recover.
Improve Their Food to Support Faster Healing
Good nutrition is critical when it comes to healing from an injury. Not only should you consider upgrading their standard meals, but you should also look into supplements like Omega-3 that can help further boost your dog’s healing factor. In general, see that they get lots of protein, vitamins, and minerals. For any specific recommendations, talk to your vet before you leave about any dietary changes you can make to speed up your dog’s recovery.
Ways to Keep Your Dog Entertained When They’re Recovering
If your dog moves around or is too active while they’re still healing, it could cause a relapse. Ripped stitches, a pull, or even an active bleed can all happen. That’s why you’ll need to find new ways to keep your dog entertained while they’re recovering.
Get Snuffle Mats and Hide Treats for Your Dog to Find
Sniffing out food and treats is a great way to keep your dog entertained indoors, so invest in snuffle mats or just hide treats around the house for your dog to find. You can and should make a game out of it. Snuffle mats, in particular, are great since they have various pockets where you can hide treats and encourage your dog to use their sense of smell to find them. Not only is this fun for your dog, but it also helps them stay mentally stimulated.
Get Lick Mats or Create Lick Bowls and Freeze Them
Lick mats or lick bowls are another excellent way to keep your dog entertained while they’re recovering. You can spread peanut butter or other tasty treats onto the mat or bowl and then freeze it. Licking is another comfort activity that can help stimulate your dog mentally when physical activity is after the table. While you can just spread a high-value treat on the lick mat, freezing it makes it last longer.
Train Your Dog New (Low-Energy) Tricks
Teaching your dog a few fun new tricks can be a top-notch way to keep them entertained while they’re recovering. However, it’s important to remember that your dog’s energy levels may be lower than usual due to their injury. So, stick to low-energy tricks such as that don’t require a lot of physical activity.
