How to Nurture Your Pet’s Primal Side This National Pet Month
William Garrels
It’s National Pet Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate your pup than with some warm weather activities that exercise their primal nature! It’s important to remember that in addition to being our companions, all of our pets have a unique set of ancestral needs to support. This National Pet Month, embrace your pet’s primal side and watch them thrive!
Activities to Engage Your Pet’s Primal Side
- Nature Walks: Take a leisurely stroll through natural areas like forests, meadows, or beaches. Allow them to explore different textures, scents, and sights while you observe and appreciate nature together. Listen to the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling, which will create an enriching experience for both you and your pup.
- Treasure Hunt: Hide various items around your home or yard for your pet to discover. Use a delicious treat to entice them to sniff out the hidden treasures. This activity stimulates their natural scavenging and foraging tendencies, keeping them mentally sharp and engaged.
- Make a Splash: Whether it’s a shallow pool or a sprinkler in the backyard, let your pup splash and frolic to their heart’s content. Water play not only cools them down in the warm summer months, but also quenches their thirst, keeping them hydrated and happy. And for an extra boost, consider our Goat Milk—a nutrient-rich hydrator to ensure they stay refreshed during playtime.
- Tug-of-War: Engage in a friendly game of tug-of-war using a rope or tug toy. This classic game taps into their natural prey drive and strengthens their jaw muscles. Be sure to establish rules and boundaries to ensure the game remains safe and enjoyable for both you and your pup.
- Set Up a Playdate: Arrange playdates with other pets to provide socialization opportunities. Our dogs are natural pack animals, and interacting with other dogs stimulates their primal nature, fulfilling their need for companionship and play.
- Mental Stimulation Toys: Invest in food dispensing toys that require your pet to manipulate or solve puzzles to access their meals. These toys mimic the challenge of foraging for food in the wild, encouraging mental stimulation and preventing boredom during mealtime. Our new Kibble in the Raw recipes are a great option for all types of food puzzles and dispensers!
- Tracking Games: Create scent trails using pet-friendly scents like lavender or peppermint. Dab a few drops of scent along a designated path for your pet to follow. This activity taps into their keen sense of smell and allows them to engage in natural tracking behaviors, providing a satisfying sensory experience.
- Agility Park Adventures: If your pup is trained off-leash and ready for a challenge, visit a local agility park or dog-friendly obstacle course and let your pet unleash their inner athlete. Guide them through tunnels, ramps, and weave poles, encouraging them to navigate the course at their own pace.
By engaging in activities that tap into their natural behaviors, you not only bolster their physical and mental well-being, but also strengthen your bond along the way. So, let’s embrace their primal side by celebrating National Pet Month the right way: the Primal way.
