Whose enrichment is it anyway?

Lately I’ve seen more online content about enrichment - what it is, what purpose it serves, and how to incorporate it. I am excited that a concept so central to the well-being of our pets is becoming more commonly discussed, but with breadth and quantity can come inaccuracy. In other words, some information I see about enrichment, while well-intended, is inaccurate or incomplete. I want to address that, because enrichment for our pets is so important. They - and we - deserve more precise information.

When I want more information about something, I often turn to Google. I know, I know - many of us have been strongly advised by our teachers against using Google and Wikipedia as primary sources, but I think it’s an okay place to start.

If I Google “define enrichment,” Google helpfully provides me with a definition for the English word: “the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something.” Okay, so, it means to improve or add something on top of what is already there, right? Well… if we’re trying to understand enrichment for non-human animals, this is not the place to stop. (This is why Google is just an okay place to start.) This definition of enrichment applies to humans. It comes from the word enrich, as in, to make more rich in quality or in wealth. I don’t know about yours, but my dog’s goal in life isn’t to accrue currency and take annual vacations to 5-star luxury resorts. Let’s take a second look.

If I refine my search to “define animal enrichment,” I’m given a definition from Smithsonian National Zoo, which says, “Enrichment gives animals a creative outlet for physical activity and mental exercise, as well as choice and control over how they spend their time. [...] Enrichment keeps an animal's day interesting and is just as essential to animal welfare as nutrition and veterinary care.” I would judge this website to be a good source, because zoos and conservation centers are usually run by scientists with degrees in zoology, biology, and animal sciences. The definition provided is more specific, and explains the purpose of enrichment rather than giving circular or prescriptive (“should”) reasoning to answer our “why.”

This is much closer to the kind of information we’re looking for. While enrichment can add depth and meaning to a human’s life, it is essential for quality of life for non-human animals in a captive setting. It’s not the cherry on top of the cake, it is all the ingredients we need to make a proper cake. (Also imagine that the cake is full of essential nutrients for a healthy diet, and not a delectable dessert!) In my opinion and in short, enrichment is not optional. Because our pets need it, we are obligated to provide it. We chose to be their caretakers, and that responsibility includes meeting their needs in species-appropriate ways. That is the “what” and the “why” of enrichment.

And guess what? The answer to the “how” - how do we best provide enrichment and care for our pets? - is right there in the “what” and the “why.” We provide proper enrichment by observing our animals to determine how they already behave, and then give them an outlet to do those behaviors in a way that works for everyone. For example, we can provide our dogs with safe and appropriate items to chew (bones, edible chew treats, stuffed food toys). When we give them things to chew, they are less likely to chew human belongings. Disallowing them from chewing anything is not an option, because chewing is a basic need for dogs. Though it may not seem the case when one feels frustrated that their expensive sandal was destroyed at the jaws of a canine companion, chewing is a behavior dogs must express. It is on the same level as eating, drinking water, relieving themselves, exercising, and sleeping. We can make it easier on everyone involved by giving them items we are okay with them destroying.

What looks like destruction to us is an expression of normal and healthy behavior in an individual of another species. This illustrates the key to true understanding of what enrichment means for non-human animals. While it can be enriching for us humans to create a lovely homemade snack and arrange it beautifully in a colorful feeding toy, the dog we’re making it for might rather eat their dinner as fast as possible and then roll in a particularly odorous patch of grass. Humans (sighted ones of us, at least) are highly visually-oriented, while dogs are much more concerned with their sense of smell. As well, sighted humans may love viewing a fun and catchy infographic… meanwhile, our dogs are lying steadfastly by, waiting for the day we finally come to our senses and let them into the trash can.

​So, the next time you find yourself browsing social media for pet enrichment inspiration, or spending more than 20 minutes making your dog a snack that will be gobbled in as many seconds, ask yourself: whose enrichment is it anyway? All that scrolling, hearting, and pinning is just for you. Your dog or cat could be just as content with a cardboard box or toilet paper tube. Remember: one human's trash is another animal's treasure. 😉