Enrichment for Pets
CAREGIVING RESOURCES · ENRICHMENT
Enrichment used to be considered a bonus — something extra for pets with time and energy to spare. What we now understand is that it’s fundamental. Dogs, cats, and other companion animals have rich inner lives. They have preferences, relationships, and an inherent need to engage with their world — to explore, to learn, to play, and to perform behaviors that are natural to their species. That need doesn’t disappear when a pet ages, becomes ill, or enters hospice. It adapts.
Enrichment for an aging or hospice pet looks different than it does for a young, healthy one — but it matters just as much, and in some ways more. A pet whose world has contracted due to mobility limitations, illness, or cognitive decline still has a deep need for mental and sensory engagement. Meeting that need is one of the most meaningful things a caregiver can do.
The word “telos” comes from the ancient Greek for “purpose” or “end.” In animal ethics, it refers to a creature’s fundamental nature — their species-specific needs and inherent goals. To honor a pet’s telos is to honor who they actually are. Enrichment is how that honoring becomes practice.
Articles
— Activity ideas for senior and geriatric dogs — keeping body and brain engaged
— Snuffle mats for dogs — what they are and why they work so well for aging pets
— Kong alternatives for dogs who can’t manage traditional chew toys — low-effort enrichment that still delivers
— Keeping Your Cats Busy, Not Bored: Everyday Enrichment for Happier, Healthier Cats
— Thank you for not walking your dog
A must-read for families whose dogs see the world differently due to behavioral challenges — why skipping the walk is sometimes the kindest, most enriching choice.
— Telos Low-Impact Canine Enrichment Strategies — a free Telos resource
Sensory experiences and gentle activities for dogs with limited mobility, declining vision or hearing, or those on bed rest after surgery or injury.
Product Recommendations
Enrichment for dogs
Snuffle mats, lick mats, puzzle feeders, scent work tools, and low-impact activities designed for dogs whose physical abilities have changed but whose need for mental stimulation hasn’t. Curated specifically for senior, geriatric, and hospice dogs.
Enrichment for cats
Sensory toys, foraging tools, window perches, and gentle interactive activities that support a cat’s natural instincts even as their mobility or cognition changes. Including options for indoor-only cats who need more engagement than their environment currently offers.
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A NOTE FOR ENROLLED FAMILIES
Enrichment toys — including snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, and lick mats — are available to borrow for as long as you need them, or to try out before committing to a purchase. Some pets take time to warm up to a new toy; others simply prefer one format over another. Borrowing first saves money and takes the guesswork out of what will actually work for your pet. Just ask.
The Telos Low-Impact Canine Enrichment Strategies guide is also available free to everyone
If enrichment feels like one piece of a larger puzzle you’re trying to solve — a pet whose world has contracted significantly, increasing care needs, or a situation that feels like more than products and articles can address — Telos may be able to help.
Aging pets
Expert guidance and ongoing support for families navigating a senior or geriatric pet’s changing needs.
Serious illness or diagnosis
Credentialed hospice and palliative care support for pets of any age with a life-limiting diagnosis.
Or, if you'd rather just talk through your specific situation first — that's what the first email is for.
The best first step is an email.
When families first reach out, they’re often overwhelmed and carrying a lot. Email gives you the space to share what’s happening at your own pace — and gives Lorrie the space to respond thoughtfully, with real information, rather than reactively. It’s how this works best, from the very first contact.
Lorrie personally reads and responds to every email — typically within a couple of hours, and always the same day. You will not be waiting.
Or, book a 15-minute Zoom conversation — $35
For families who'd rather talk than type. A brief, focused conversation to share where things are, ask questions, and figure out together whether Telos is the right fit. No obligation beyond the conversation itself.