Here’s Why Playing Is Essential for Your Dog’s Health

If you’ve ever left your dog at home alone only to come home and find a bunch of your belongings destroyed, it may be that your dog needs more mental stimulation. Southern Living spoke with Dr. Ragen T.S. McGowan, a research scientist at Purina, who explained that our pets’ mental wellbeing is just as important — and requires just much care — as their physical wellbeing.

A dog who destroys a couch while you’re out of the house, for example, may have separation anxiety, but it may also just be amusing itself because it has nothing else to do. “Often, they’ll do this because they’re bored and tearing it up is fun for them,” Dr. McGowan told Southern Living. “A lack of activity options when they’re left alone can lead to this sort of destructive behavior.”

To save your prized possessions, and keep your dog more constructively entertained, try buying or making brain-teaser puzzles. “Like people, pets experience the ‘Eureka Effect,’ or the emotional response to problem solving,” Dr. McGown said. “It’s that aha moment when you finally figure something out … It boots their confidence, provides control over their environment, and improves emotional well-being.”

Fun and stimulating games for your dog might include hiding treats inside a hollow toy like a Kong (or, for a DIY option, a plastic water bottle or a cardboard tube, from toilet paper or paper towels). You can also freeze treats into ice cubes, so your pet has to do work (and spend time) releasing the treats inside.

Studies have shown that having a dog can make you happier (and dog owners in general are happier than cat owners). After all the happiness our dogs give us, we want to do our best to keep them happy too.