Enrichment: What, Why and How

Our pets might be domesticated but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect happy living in an environment catered just to their human’s needs! This week, Naomi talks enrichment. What is it and how can we use it to help minimize unwanted pet behaviors?

In this episode we discuss:

What is enrichment?

o A shorthand for designing an enriching environment or providing enriching activities.

o Giving an animal the opportunity to behave the way they would in the wild.

Eg. Zebras given the environment and things to do “zebra things”

o Enrichment is essential for any captive animal

Essential for their welfare
Greatly affects their behavior towards your home and any other beings living there·

What happens to animals in an environment not enriched?

o It’s akin to solitary confinement

Basic physical needs are met
They get access to sufficient calories and hydration on a schedule not determined by them
They have a place to sleep and eliminate but without any personal choice

o There is a reason solitary confinement is a brutal punishment

Just getting your basic physical needs met is not enough
Having no behavior choice in accessing those needs is stressful
Talking to self because no one else to talk to
Pacing because nowhere else to walk
Increased aggression
Captive animals in non-enriched environments experience similar things.

Unenriched Environments

o Our homes are designed to enrich US.

Access to basic human needs
Human comfort
Human entertainment

o If our homes only enrich us, our pets are in a prison-like environment

o Unenriched environments lead to “behavioral seepage”

Pet’s version of muttering, pacing and snapping

o When not occupied, pet’s will seek out opportunities to express the behaviors not promoted by their environment

Dog’s need to scavenge might start rummaging in trash for scraps
Cats’ need for nail maintenance might scratch sofa

The basics of enriching your pet’s environment.

o Learn what your pet needs

give them access to their physical needs like health, hygiene, nutrition, and exercise
give appropriate outlets for instinctual behavior specific to their species and breed
allow them to exert some control over their environment, to choose the most desirable outcomes

o Allow them the freedom to safely choose how to access these needs

Three-step plan for enriching your pet’s environment.

o Watch your pets

Write down their behavior for three days
Take notes but don’t interfere with their behavior unless they are doing something dangerous
Give them a choice between two acceptable behavior instead of multiple “iffy” options
Take notes of any “misbehavior”

o Choose one behavior that you are always asking your pet to stop, are redirecting or punishing. These are behaviors your animal needs to perform in a more appropriate way.