Stimulation is Key to a Happy Healthy Pet

How do you feel when you pet your dog or cat (or horse or pig!)? When I was a teenager, I wanted to be an equine vet and I started working around thoroughbred racehorses. Beautiful, but also scary because of their size, and when they feel threatened, their response is often to bolt – sometimes dragging the handler with them. I quickly learned how my nervous energy around these flighty animals was perceived. It taught me to relax, speak softly, be calm and breathe.

The American Veterinary Medical Association defines the human-animal bond as a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors essential to the health and well-being of both. Approximately 68% of households in America own pets. Just petting animals has been shown to lower blood pressure and cortisol (a hormone released with stress). Some studies have shown improvements in mood, exercise, and immune function just from interacting with them, but what about the mental well-being of our pets? How do we keep them mentally well?

As pets age, we can often start to see changes with how they rely on us and pet siblings for comfort and support. We may also see the beginnings of some common mental health challenges like separation anxiety, noise phobias, depression and later in life, cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats. It’s important to keep behavioral tabs on them and work with professional trainers, so our pets stay engaged. It’s also very important to collaborate with your vet to investigate and address the root cause(s) before things get worse.

Here are eight ways you can help support your pet’s brain health and emotional well-being, ultimately helping them live a fuller, longer life:

1. Environmental Enrichment

Make your home a place where your pet can explore and have fun with Interactive toys and food puzzles (puzzlefeeder.com). These give your pet something to “think about” and prevent boredom. New sights, sounds, and smells—even a new toy or a different walking route—can keep life interesting. Spaces to explore like climbing for cats or a backyard obstacle course for dogs provide a sense of adventure.

2. Optimize their Social Life

Just like us, our pets thrive with an active social calendar. This includes daily play and cuddles from us to help pets feel secure and loved. While I don’t LOVE the anarchy of some dog parks, playdates can offer important social time, especially for dogs who enjoy being around other animals. For the ones that don’t “play well with others:” there are plenty of pet friendly hikes and outdoor activities here on the Jersey Shore. My family has a map of all the county parks we have visited with our dogs hanging in my son’s room.

3. Always Be Training!

While it may be more challenging, you CAN in fact teach an old dog NEW tricks! Training exercises like “sit,” “stay,” or even new fun tricks keep your pet’s brain engaged. Working on voice commands with your pet using positive reinforcement training methods is a great hobby and very rewarding for both pet and pet owner. Games like hide-and-seek or scent tracking challenge your pet mentally and are also great bonding activities.

5. Feed Their Brain

A healthy brain needs the right nutrition. This includes feeding your pet a complete and balanced nutritious diet. Look for an AAFCO statement on your bag of pet food to determine if the diet has everything your pet needs (https://www.aafco.org/). Some supplements rich in omega fatty acids, medium-chain triglycerides and antioxidants are great for brain health in people, but lack solid data in pets, but are very safe for use in pets. Ask your vet (www.citybytheseavet.com) about supplements that support brain function and health. Speaking of vets…

6. Your Vet is Your Best Resource!

Dr. Google? Stop! So, you mistakenly thought those nipples were ticks – It happens, no shame! We still believe you know your pet better than anyone, so if something seems off or weird, then it’s important to us! Remember, they can’t tell us where it hurts – so changes in their behavior and regular check-ups help catch issues early. Senior pets especially should be seen more than once a year for check-ups and to discuss how to optimize their quality of life as they age. One study showed that in dogs 7 and older, up to 75% of pet owners noted at least one behavioral change associated with cognitive dysfunction in dogs, but only 12% of pet owners had reported the changes to their vet. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

7. Keep Moving

Physical activity is good for both the body and mind. Walks, fetch, and even gentle play indoors help release feel-good chemicals that keep your pet happy and relaxed. Plus, regular exercise supports healthy brain function by improving blood flow. Like us, pets tend to be creatures of habit. So, a routine is super helpful. Try to feed, walk, and play at the same times each day. Make sure your pet has a quiet, cozy space where they can rest without disturbance.

8. Be Calm and Present

Like my experience with Thoroughbreds, most pets are incredibly tuned in to our emotions and can pick up on our stress. Call it an observation/opinion (NOTE: I am not a human doctor!), but some of the most anxious pets I see in the exam room seem to often have VERY anxious owners accompanying them. A peaceful environment at home is so important to a pet’s mental well-being. Mindful time together, whether it’s brushing them, talking to them, or just sitting quietly by their side, helps them feel secure. Many people feel more comforted by their pets than by other people during stressful times. That just goes to show how powerful the human-animal bond really is.

Supporting your pet’s mental health isn’t just about preventing problems—it’s about helping them live their best life and for many years! Whether it’s through play, training, cuddles, or just being there for them, you have the power to make a big difference in your pet’s happiness and health. A mentally and emotionally healthy pet is more curious, more confident, and more connected to you—and that means more joyful years spent together.