Boredom isn’t unique to people. Dogs can get bored, too, especially when they’re home alone without much to do!
A bored dog might sometimes seem tired, sad, or a little under the weather. Bored or understimulated dogs may also show signs of depression, destructive behaviors, or hyperactivity, explains Carolyn Menteith, dog trainer and behaviorist at Tails.com.
However, you can do a lot to help a bored dog. Mentally stimulating activities and quality time together are just two of the ways you can help ease loneliness and boredom for your dog.
Read on to learn some of the key signs of boredom in dogs and ways you can entertain them. We’ll also explore how boredom could affect your dog’s health and when to consult a professional.
10 Signs Your Dog Is Bored
“All dogs are different, so signs of boredom may vary,” Menteith says.
Some of the main signs you might notice include:
- Depression: Depression in dogs might show up as changes in appetite, withdrawn behavior, or increased irritability.
- Destructive behavior: Bored dogs might fill their time with destructive behavior like chewing, digging, or jumping on furniture.
- Excessive noises: Increased barking, howling, panting, or whining could mean your dog is bored or lonely.
- Hyperactivity: A bored dog might seem restless and impulsive, have a shorter attention span than usual, have difficulty sitting still, or seem unusually hyper.
- Escapology: Bored dogs might find a way to escape their crate, whatever room they’re left in, or even your backyard.
- Loss of toilet training: Unusual accidents indoors can be a sign of boredom as well as some health conditions.
- Self-mutilation: Dogs who are bored might chase their tails or chew and lick body parts excessively.
- Severe separation anxiety: Signs of separation anxiety include trembling, destructive chewing, digging and scratching at doors, and increased whining.
- Predation: A bored dog might have more interest in chasing, capturing, and killing small animals, even if they never did before.
- Aggression: Signs of aggression include growling, biting, and guarding.
Why Do Dogs Get Bored?
Dogs can get bored for several reasons, and it’s important to cater to your dog’s unique situation,” says Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT, founder of Fun Paw Care Dog Training.
Your dog’s personality, breed, energy levels, and life stage can all play a role in boredom. Some of the most common reasons for boredom in dogs:
Not enough physical activity
While all dogs need to walk and get exercise for stimulation and good health, dogs need different amounts of physical activity, Hartstein says. For example, some breeds, especially smaller dogs like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, have lower energy. Others, like Golden Retrievers and Boston Terriers, have higher energy levels and need more exercise.
Hartstein explains that dogs who might not need as much physical activity due to breed, age, or ability should still walk and get other physical stimulation each day. A dog behaviorist, trainer, or vet can help you determine the best type and amount of exercise for your dog.
Lack of mental enrichment
Just like people, dogs need mental enrichment or stimulation that allows them to use their brains to think, learn, and remember. Mental enrichment is good for your dog’s physical and mental health and can help prevent boredom.
Examples of mental enrichment include training, interactive toys, and puzzle feeders.
Ideally, you can pair mental stimulation with physical activity to promote overall well-being. However, mental enrichment can still make a big difference if your dog can’t participate in physical activity.
Emotional neglect
“Just like humans, dogs need emotional fulfillment,” Hartstein says. Health issues, including boredom, can arise when a dog’s emotional needs don’t get met.
Showing your dog regular love and care can go a long way toward boosting their emotional health. Even when you’re busy, giving your dog attention for a few minutes several times each day can support their well-being and help prevent boredom.
Sensory deprivation
According to Hartstein, domesticated dogs can’t meet their sensory needs independently, especially if they’re often at home alone all day. That’s what makes it so important to help your dog get the sensory stimulation they need.
“Like people, dogs sense the world around them through taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound,” Hartstein says. Give your dog attention and do activities with them when you can. Nosework, for example, is one great way to help fulfill a dog’s sensory needs. When you’re not home, consider leaving toys and sounds, like music, for them.
How Does Boredom Affect Your Dog’s Health?
“Just like with people, it’s OK for dogs to be bored occasionally,” Hartstein says. However, chronic boredom may increase your dog’s chances of:
- Weight gain or obesity
- Impaired cognitive function
- An unfulfilled life
Menteith also explains that most unwanted boredom-related behaviors will continue to get worse unless you address the underlying cause of the boredom.
6 Tips To Keep Your Dog Entertained
Not sure how to prevent or ease your dog’s boredom?
Dr. Janet Cutler, Ph.D., CAAB, owner of Landmark Behaviour, shares the following tips for keeping your dog entertained:
- Provide mental and sensory stimulation: Puzzle toys filled with treats or food-stuffed toys like Kongs encourage mental and sensory stimulation. Freezing these can make them last even longer. Chew toys can also stimulate your dog.
- Hire a dog walker or sitter: If you can’t spend as much time with your dog as they need, consider hiring a walker or sitter.
- Spend more time together: Dogs are social and often form strong bonds with human family members. Depending on your dog, they may enjoy going for walks, playing games, or cuddling with you.
- Make sure they get enough exercise: Releasing energy can help reduce boredom and encourage relaxation. Ensure your dog is getting the right amount of exercise for their breed, age, size, and health.
- Make time for training: Mentally and physically tire your dog with training activities. This can also help teach desired behaviors and grow your bond.
- Try nosework: Dogs love using their sense of smell, and activities that allow them to do that can help prevent boredom. You can also make or purchase snuffle mats that require dogs to sniff and find treats.
When To Get Professional Support
If you can’t resolve your dog’s boredom on your own and the same unwanted behaviors continue, Dr. Cutler recommends making an appointment with your vet to rule out any medical causes.
“Your vet can also help determine if any medical concerns are preventing your dog from doing activities that could help relieve boredom,” Dr. Cutler says. “If your dog shows signs of anxiety or destroys things when you’re away from home, a vet could possibly prescribe medication to help with anxiety.”
You can also ask a dog behaviorist about the right stimulation for your dog’s unique needs and desires.
“With a full behavior history, a behaviorist can help you find ways to prevent boredom within your typical routine or provide suggestions for changes you can make to help your dog,” Dr. Cutler explains. “If you have video recordings of your dog throughout the day, a behaviorist may also help you understand under which conditions your dog might feel bored.”
