Spring Activities with Pets

Spring has sprung! It’s time for you and your pet to shake off the winter hibernation with fun spring activities. Now that the weather is warming up and days are getting longer, you and your pet can poke your noses outside. Or when spring showers hit, take the time to play and train indoors.

Spring Activities for Dogs

Go Sniff

Get outdoors with your dog and let them sniff to their heart’s content. A decompression walk is incredibly enriching for them since it puts their nose to work and provides loads of scent information for them to process.

These kinds of walks are meant to be meandering rather than a faster pace, so they’re a great activity for senior dogs who may not be able to walk as fast or as far as they used to. Let your dog shove their face into the fresh grass and smell as long as they want. To make it even more fun, clip a long lead to the back of your dog’s harness, giving them more freedom to roam the spring meadows and follow the scents they find (while still being safely connected to you via the leash).

Prepare for Summer Hikes

Like humans, dogs need to get back into shape before tackling a long or difficult hike. Spring is a perfect time for your dog and you to get ready for more taxing activities in the summer.

Start slowly building up your dog’s endurance by increasing their walks by 15 minutes every week. Visit an easy and short hiking trail on a nice spring day to get used to climbing uphill again. When a rainy spring day hits, practice some basic conditioning exercises you can do with your dog indoors to help build their body awareness and strength. Follow up these quick routines with some stretching and even some doggie massage.

Learn a New Dog Sport or Join a Training Class

Take advantage of the spirit of spring and learn something new and fun with your dog. If all you’ve ever done with your dog is a puppy class or basic obedience, you’re missing out on all the fun the world of dog training has to offer! Sign up for a tricks class or an introduction to nose work. Not only does this provide your dog with essential enrichment, but it makes your relationship with them stronger and burns extra energy — which your pup may have a lot of after a winter “hibernation.”

Want to tap into your dog’s natural skills? Find a dog sport tailored for them to do the things they love. This may be something like dock jumping for water dogs, fly ball for ball-obsessed dogs, or earth dog for dogs who love to dig. Dogs who love to herd can try their paws at treibball, which is urban herding at its finest. There are lots of sports to choose from — and you don’t need to worry about competition unless that’s what you’re into. Do it just for fun!

Build a Dig Pit or Search Area

While you’re out getting started on your garden, your pup can get some digging in — in the right place, of course! Set up a kiddie pool filled with non-toxic play sand and bury some of your dog’s favorite toys for them to find. Many dogs love to dig and providing them a place where it’s okay (and rewarding) to dig means they won’t try to “help” you in the flower bed. You can make an indoor ball pit version, where they sniff out treats scattered under all the plastic balls. For dogs who aren’t big diggers but want to hang out with you outside, set up a fun game of hide and seek, where you hide some of their favorite treats around the garden and help find them.

Spring Activities for Cats

Harness Training

If your cat is well socialized and confident, you could start harness training this spring and maybe head outside in the coming months. It’s important to remember that taking your cat outside is not the same as taking your dog out for a walk. Watch a professional training video to learn how to get your cat comfortable wearing a harness. And if you decide to head outside, start very slowly and stay close to your front door. You need to see how your cat will react and gradually get them comfortable moving further into the yard. It’s also a good idea to keep a cat carrier with you, just in case they get spooked or upset and need to be secured.

Try a Catio

If your cat likes being outside, a catio is a fantastic option to safely give them an outdoor experience. Catios come in all shapes and sizes. You can buy or make a simple version, much like a small chicken coop, with a wooden frame, chicken wire sides, and a roof, that you can easily move around. Or you can go all-in and have one constructed with direct access to your home. Even a collapsible kennel or puppy playpen with a top/cover work great if you need something simple that can be easily stored.

Get Close to Nature

Your cat doesn’t have to be outside to come face-to-face with a bird or squirrel. Add a couple of wildlife feeders to your yard and give your cat a nice window perch so they can enjoy the view.

Every new person, place, or thing your pet experiences can enrich their lives. Use spring to inspire new activities, indoor and out, with your dog or cat.

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Melody R. Conklin, VMD, MBA

Dr. Melody R. Conklin is originally from Youngsville in northwestern Pennsylvania and earned her BS at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park in 2003, where she majored in Animal BioScience and minored in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. She then attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning her VMD in 2007. Dr. Conklin worked in companion animal general practice until 2015 when she joined Zoetis’ Veterinary Medical Information and Product Support department while finishing her MBA at Penn State Great Valley in 2017. Dr. Conklin currently works full-time in a companion animal practice while working with Zoetis US Petcare Medical Affairs in a consultant role. She lives in Sinking Spring, PA with her 4 cats, Vegeta, Fluffzor, Poof, & Butter, and 3 guinea pigs, Pascha, Elena, & Caroline.