Hi fellow animal lover,

Just like humans, dogs need mental exercise to stay sharp as they age. If your senior pup is slowing down physically, they can still stay mentally engaged — and enrichment can help prevent cognitive decline, reduce anxiety, and add more joy to their golden years.

Why Mental Enrichment Matters for Senior Dogs

Prevents Cognitive Decline – Brain games and puzzles help keep memory and problem-solving skills sharp. This greatly increases overall quality of life for your dog.

Reduces Anxiety & Restlessness – Engaging activities help prevent boredom, which can lead to anxiety and excessive pacing.

Balances Less Physical Activity – A little extra mental exercise each day helps to burn excess energy, which many senior dogs still have lots of, even when their body can't keep up.

Check out Preventive Vet senior dog, Sookie, getting enrichment with her snuffle mat:

Simple Ways to Enrich Your Senior Dog’s Life

Puzzle Feeders & Snuffle Mats – Make mealtime more exciting by using a puzzle feeder, snuffle mat, or slow feeder bowl to encourage problem-solving.

Gentle Training & Tricks – Even older dogs can learn new tricks! Teach them fun, low-impact tricks like “touch,” “spin,” or "take a bow."

Scent Work Games – Hide a few treats around the house and encourage your dog to sniff them out. You can even use scented toys or hide treats in a rolled-up towel. Tips for Starting Scent Work Games at Home

Low-Impact Playtime – Soft tug toys, gentle fetch, or even rolling a ball across the floor can provide fun engagement without overexertion.

Sniffari Walks – Let your pup take the lead and sniff to their heart’s content! Sniffing is a form of mental exercise that engages their brain as much as physical activity.

Calming Sounds & Music – Classical music, audiobooks, or dog-friendly podcasts can help soothe and mentally stimulate your pup when you’re not home. How to Use Music to Calm Down Your Dog

New Scents & Textures – Introduce dog-safe essential oils, different textured blankets, or even a new stuffed toy to add variety to their day.