Fun Activities to Do With Your Pets

Spending quality time with your pet is one of the best ways to build a strong, lasting bond—and it’s also a whole lot of fun! Whether you have a playful pup or a curious cat, there are endless activities you can enjoy together that keep both of you happy, healthy, and entertained.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• • 5 Fun things you can do with your dog
  • Games to play with dogs
  • 6 Fun things you can do with your cat
  • Games to play with cats

5 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Dog

1.  Exploring the great outdoors with your dog can be an empowering way to bond. Checking out local dog parks offers a spot where your pup can socialize, play, and burn off energy. Dogs love interacting, and parks are perfect for building skills like communication and healthy play.

Before you go, check out this article from the AKC (American Kennel Club) about dog park etiquette.

2.  Hiking!  Ever thought about hitting the trails for a hiking adventure with your dog? Hiking provides great exercise for both you and your dog, and it’s a fantastic way to enjoy nature’s beauty together.

It’s important to pick a trail suitable for your dog’s energy and fitness level to ensure it’s fun for everyone involved, and make sure you bring a bottle of water for you with a hiking water dish for your dog!

3.  Attending dog-friendly events can double as social outings for humans and their pets. Whether it’s a dog parade or a pet fair, these events provide a chance to meet other pet lovers and learn more about dog care and training. The shared experience can be loads of fun and provide you with new ideas for dog activities.

Before you do this, make sure your dog has been properly socialized so they’re safe and comfortable at these events.  For help, read my post, Socializing a New Puppy, which includes a video and tips suitable for dogs of all ages.

4.  Try an agility course. Ever tried setting up an agility course in your backyard? It’s not just about jumping and running; it’s about teamwork and mental stimulation.

Using things like hula hoops and poles, you can design a course that challenges your dog’s agility and keeps them engaged. Agility courses are great for mental and physical exercise.  You can find cool agility course kits here.

5.  Get your groove on!  If dancing is your kind of fun, think about joining a doggy dance class. Yes, they exist! Dancing with your dog isn’t only hilarious (in a good way) but also strengthens your bond through rhythm and routine.

Plus, it’s an excellent way for both of you to get some physical activity while having a blast!  Maybe invite an adventurous friend who has a dog!

Games to Play with Dogs

Interactive fetch games are timeless and for a good reason. They keep your pup physically active and mentally sharp. Switching up toys, like a ball one day and a frisbee the next, adds variety, making it even more exciting for both of you. Just make sure to be in a safe area where your dog can run freely.

I had a mini Doxy named Taz who was in love with squeaky tennis balls.  Just throwing it down the hall for her to fetch and bring back in the evenings was fun for her and kept her looking like a hot dog instead of a sausage LOL!  That’s her in the pic with her basket of toys.  Awww…

Tug-of-war is a classic that requires little besides a sturdy rope and a willing pooch. This game promotes strength and teamwork but remember the key is always psychological.

Letting your dog win occasionally helps maintain their interest and confidence.  You can find some tug-of-war toys for dogs here.

Hide and seek isn’t just for humans. I had a tenant once who taught his dog, Hoss, how to play hide and seek.  It was precious!  You can read a cute story I wrote about Hoss called,  A Wolf Hybrid Names Hoss. 

Have you ever tried playing frisbee with your dog? Dogs that love running will especially enjoy this game. It teaches them to follow direction, anticipate, and return on command. Just be sure to choose a dog-safe frisbee to avoid any accidents.

When I was a kid (about 10, I think), we had a German Shepherd.  She loved to play frisbee, but she would never bring it back!  My mom took a picture of me out in the front yard, laying in the grass with the dog trying to wrestle the frisbee out of her mouth LOL!

Try brain games!  I can recommend a great program called, Brain Training for Dogs.  This dog training course uses 21 “Brain Games,” developed by Professional Dog Trainer, Adrienne Farricelli to improve your dog’s intelligence, obedience and overall behavior!  You can read my review of the program here.

Also check out Professional Dog Trainer, Doggy Dan’s blog post, 5 Brain Games to Test Your Dog’s Intelligence.

Puzzle toys are fun! On a rainy day or when you just want an engaging indoor activity, puzzle toys and treat challenges can work wonders. These games sit on top of the fun list for solo play when you’re busy, but they also shine as interactive sessions where you guide your dog through solving the puzzle for rewards.

You can find some cute dog puzzle toys here.

6 Fun Things You Can Do with Your Cat

1.  Creating an indoor obstacle course can turn your home into a feline playground. Using household items like pillows, boxes, and tunnels, you can set up paths that encourage your cat’s natural curiosity and agility. It’s a low-cost way to provide them with hours of exploration and fun.

2.  Just an empty cardboard box with a toy thrown in provides hours of fun for my cat, Whiskers.  Sometimes he just sits in it LOL  That’s him in this pic!

3.  You can also throw an area rug on the floor with a crinkle fish under it.  Seriously…try it!  Whiskers has tons of fun with that.

4.  Catnip is an absolute hit with most cats. Introducing fresh or dried catnip lets them indulge in their love for this herb, rolling around and playing actively. It’s a simple activity that adds a bit of spice to their routine, keeping them entertained and stress-free.

Sometimes I put some catnip in a sandwich bag and toss a couple of Whiskers’ little mouse toys in the bag.  He goes crazy playing with them covered with catnip!  You can buy catnip here.

5.  Setting up bird-watching stations is a fantastic indoor entertainment idea. Position a comfortable perch near a window where your cat can watch birds or squirrels outside. It stimulates their curiosity and provides endless entertainment watching the world go by, right from the comfort of home.

For more ideas, read my post, How to Keep Indoor Cats Happy – 10 Things They’ll Love (includes video!)

6.  Whiskers loves watching cat videos on TV.  You can let them watch videos of other cats, or bird/squirrel/mice videos which are Whiskers’ favorite.  Just sit on the couch and prop your phone up on a pillow with the video playing.

I also set him up with his own private movie theater with my iPad in his cat tree once!  Look at this pic…isn’t this adorable?!

Games to Play with Cats

Interactive laser tag is a winner for engaging your cat’s attention and getting them to exercise. Moving the laser pointer around can ignite a flurry of activity as they pounce, chase, and leap.

Always remember to end with a real toy so they feel satisfied after the chase.

DIY feather wands and chasing toys give your cat a chance to channel their inner hunter. Watch cat expert, Jackson Galaxy’s videos on how to play with your cat.  He’ll show you how he plays with his cats with a feather wand toy.

By creating your own toys is fun, just as long as you make sure it’s safe for your cat.  I got an idea on YouTube to put a toilet paper roll inside a sock, pour some catnip in, then tie the sock.  You should’ve have seen Whiskers’ reaction!  He went crazy for it.

It may have been that same video where someone said, “Whenever you’re about to throw something out, consider whether it could be made into a cat toy!”

I Donate to Animal Charities

I hope you had as much fun reading this post as I had writing it!  Your pet is definitely lucky to have a pet owner who gets online to find fun activities to do with them!

For more ideas, read my post, Keeping Pets Entertained While at Work (includes video!)

Also check out this post from vcahospitals.com, 50 Fun Things to Do With Your Pet.

You should know I’ll receive a small commission for some of the products linked in this post.  I donate 10% of my earnings to the animal charities shown on this page.

Thanks so much for visiting, and please share this with your friends who love their pets!  Debra

Check Out More of My Pet Care Posts Here