skip to main content
Travelers Logo
  • About
  • Careers
  • Agents
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • For Individuals
    • Overview
    • Products
      • Car
      • Home
      • Renters
      • Condo
      • Landlord
      • Boat & Yacht
      • Flood
      • Motorcycle
      • Travel
      • Pet
      • Weddings
      • Umbrella
      • All Products
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • Insurance 101
      • Home Central
      • Travelers Garage
      • Managing Through COVID-19
    • Affinity Group Discount
    • Online Service
    • Pay Your Bill
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • For Business
    • Overview
    • Products & Solutions
      • Overview
      • Boiler & Machinery
      • Commercial Auto & Trucking
      • Cyber
      • Environmental Liability
      • Excess Casualty & Umbrella
      • General Liability
      • Global Insurance
      • Inland Marine
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Ocean Marine
      • Property
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Surety Bonds
      • Workers Compensation
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Industries
      • Overview
      • Agribusiness
      • Architects, Engineers & Surveyors
      • Auto & Truck Dealers
      • Business & Professional Services
      • Construction
      • Education
      • Energy & Renewable
      • Equipment Dealers
      • Financial Institutions
      • Food Services
      • Health & Related Services
      • Hospitality & Recreation
      • Manufacturing
      • Marine Industries
      • Museums & Fine Art
      • Non-Profit
      • Oil & Gas
      • Public Entities
      • Real Estate
      • Retail
      • Technology
      • Transportation
      • Wholesale & Distribution
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Services
      • Overview
      • Risk Control
      • Claim
      • Premium Audit
      • Online Customer Tools
      • Risk Management Information Services
      • Travelers Client Advantage
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Small Business
      • Overview
      • Automobile Insurance
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Data Breach
      • Employment Practices Liability
      • Professional Insurance
      • Umbrella Insurance
      • Workers Compensation Inurance
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Large Business
      • Overview
      • Casualty
      • Cyber
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Property
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Multinational Business
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • By Topic
      • By Industry
      • Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Claim Center
    • Claim Center
    • Should I File a Claim?
    • File a Claim
    • Roadside Assistance
    • Find a Service Provider
    • Check Your Claim Status
    • Manage Your Claim Experience
      • Understanding the Claim Process
      • Claim Guide Library
      • Workers Compensation Resources
    • Claim Capabilities
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Prepare & Prevent
    • For Individuals
    • Home Central
      • Buying & Selling
      • Home Maintenance
      • Home Renovation
      • Home Safety
      • Moving
      • Smart Home
    • Travelers Garage
      • Buying & Selling
      • Car Maintenance
      • Distracted Driving
      • Safe Driving
      • Teen Driving
      • Boating
    • Insurance 101
    • Weather
    • For Business
    • Industries
      • Construction
      • Manufacturing
      • Nonprofit
      • Small Business
      • Technology
    • Topics
      • Business Continuity
      • Cyber
      • Driver and Fleet Safety
      • Facilities Management
      • Internet of Things
      • Product and Services Liability
      • Supply Chain Management
      • Workplace Safety
    • Travelers Risk Index
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • About Travelers
    • Overview
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Careers
      • Community
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Sustainability
      • History
      • Investors
      • Media Resources
      • News
      • Travelers Championship
      • Travelers Institute
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a Quote
    • Find an Agent
    • File a Claim
    • Pay Your Bill
Main Navigation
  • For Individuals
      • Insurance for Individuals
      • Products
        • Car
        • Home
        • Renters
        • Condo
        • Landlord
        • Boat & Yacht
        • Flood
        • Motorcycle
        • Travel
        • Pet
        • Weddings & Events
        • Umbrella
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
        • Insurance 101
        • Home Central
        • Travelers Garage
      • Affinity Group Discount
      • Online Service
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a home quote now

      It's easy to get a free quote for home insurance from Travelers in just a few minutes.

       

      Get a home quote now
  • For Business
      • Products & Solutions
        • Commercial Auto & Trucking
        • Cyber
        • General Liability
        • Management & Professional Liability
        • Property
        • Business Owner's Policy
        • Surety Bonds
        • Workers Compensation
        • More
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy & Renewable
        • Financial Institutions
        • Healthcare
        • Manufacturing
        • Real Estate
        • Technology
        • Transportation
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
      • Services
        • Risk Control
        • Claim
        • Premium Audit
        • More
      • Pay Your Bill
      • Small Business
      • Large Business
      • Multinational Business
      • For Business Overview
    • Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      With the current reality of more employees working from home through the pandemic, is your business ready for all the implications?

      Learn more
  • Claim Center
      • Claim Center
      • Should I File a Claim?
      • File a Claim
      • Roadside Assistance
      • Find a Service Provider
      • Check Your Claim Status
      • Manage Your Claim Experience
        • Understanding the Claim Process
        • Claim Guide Library
        • Workers Compensation Resources
      • Claim Capabilities
    • Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Securely share information with your Claim team.

      Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Upload a File
  • Prepare & Prevent
      • For Individuals
      • Home Central
        • Buying & Selling
        • Home Maintenance
        • Home Renovation
        • Home Safety
        • Moving
        • Smart Home
      • Travelers Garage
        • Buying & Selling
        • Car Maintenance
        • Distracted Driving
        • Safe Driving
        • Teen Driving
        • Boating
      • Insurance 101
      • Weather
      • For Business
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy
        • Manufacturing
        • Nonprofit
        • Small Business
        • Technology
      • Topics
        • Business Continuity
        • Cyber
        • Driver and Fleet Safety
        • Facilities Management
        • Internet of Things
        • Product and Services Liability
        • Supply Chain Management
        • Workplace Safety
      • Travelers Risk Index
    • Managing Through COVID-19

      Managing Through COVID-19

      Resources to help you adapt to the realities of COVID-19.

      Learn more
  • Home
  • Prepare & Prevent
  • Individuals
  • 10 Fun Indoor Games to Play With Your Pet
Get a Quote*
Pet

INDIVIDUAL

COMBINE & SAVE

Travel Insurance

You are now leaving travelers.com

Pet health plans are offered by our trusted partner, the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program – a leading provider offering protection for your beloved pets.

CANCEL CONTINUE
Or Call 1.888.695.4625 1.555.555.5555 1.777.777.7777 1.888.342.5977 1.844.754.0044 1.855.656.3103 1.844.403.1464 1.844.719.2120 to get a quote.* Retrieve a saved quote
Find an Agent Log in to MyTravelers®

InsuraMatch

InsuraMatch, LLC, a Travelers-owned insurance agency, refers consumers looking for Pet insurance to our trusted partner, C&F Insurance Agency, Inc., through its ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program. InsuraMatch will be the agent of record for policies sold and serviced through this partner.

InsuraMatch is an insurance agency that sells insurance policies for various insurance companies. It receives commissions on the insurance policies it sells from these insurers and may receive other performance, profitability or volume-based compensation from the insurers. This compensation may vary by insurance company. For more information please visit InsuraMatch .

CLOSE
Pet insurance is offered by our trusted partner, C&F Insurance Agency, Inc. through its ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program.

Travelers is proud to work with the finest Independent Agents

Travelers customer? Log in to MyTravelers®

10 Fun Indoor Games to Play With Your Pet

Keeping your pet entertained can be a great way to help keep them happy, while also giving them an opportunity to exercise. When the weather prevents you from getting outside with your furry friend, try some engaging indoor alternatives to help drive away your pet’s boredom on cold or rainy days.

Tip #1: Create a Pet Playground

Let your trash be your pet’s treasure. After holiday or birthday celebrations are over, put gift boxes to good use before tossing them in the wastebasket. Use discarded cardboard boxes to set up an indoor playground for your cat or dog to enjoy. Those empty boxes also provide them with a comfortable hiding space or a quiet refuge.

  • Dog sitting in cardboard box with bright yellow background
  • woman holding up treats for two dogs
  • woman holding up hand to dogs paw
  • cat playing with toy
  • holding a ball in front of dog
  • kitten playing with toy
  • dog running behind woman
  • woman playing tug of war with dog
  • cat laying on newspaper
  • cat playing with toy
  • couple playing with dog
Previous
1 of 11
Return to Beginning
Next

Pet Playground

Set up an indoor playground for your pet using discarded cardboard boxes. The empty boxes also provide your pet with a comfortable space to relax.

Hide-and-Seek

Show your dog a treat and tell them to stay. Hide additional treats in various places around the house, then release your dog to seek out the hidden treats.

New Tricks

Teach your dog to shake hands – or paws, if you will – by gently tapping the lower back of your dog’s leg, and placing its paw in your hand, using a treat as motivation.6

Train Your Cat to Wave

Hold out a toy in front of your cat to entice it to bat at it. Reinforce the act with a verbal or physical command. Throw in a treat for added incentive. 

Go Fetch

Identify a clear pathway before you engage your dog to fetch, then gently toss a ball or favorite pet toy into another room for your dog to retrieve.7

Interactive Cat Toys

Try waving a toy about or placing it in and out of your cat’s field of vision to entice it to play with the toy.

Game of Chase

Keep a biscuit in hand so your dog can see it. Let the chase begin! 

Tug-of-War

Use an old article of clothing or a towel tied in knots to help you and your dog both get a good grip and engage in some spirited play. 

Crumpled Newspaper Cat Toy

Crumple up an old newspaper for your cat to safely bat around the house and pounce on.

Indoor Obstacle Course

Use small cones as boundaries and long, empty boxes as tunnels in a hallway or entryway. Use a treat to help guide your dog or cat through the maze.  

Happy and Healthy

Help keep your pet healthy, happy and alert by making playtime a part of their lifestyle with you. While you’re looking out for your pet’s well-being, consider pet insurance to help cover the costs that arise when your pet needs veterinarian care. Learn more about pet insurance.

Tip #2: Play a Fun Version of Hide-and-Seek

Many dogs are motivated by food. Play an alternate version of hide-and-seek that will have your canine companion following its nose to a tasty reward. Start by showing your dog a pet treat and asking him or her to stay. Hide those snacks in various places around the house, and then release the hound (or terrier, or whatever breed it may be). It’s likely your pup will follow your trail to seek and find a few treats along the way.1

Tip #3: Teach Your Dog a New Trick

Old or young, your dog likely has the intelligence to learn new tricks. It takes time, patience and repetition, but you can teach your dog by simulating a new trick while saying or motioning an associated command. If shaking hands is the goal, gently tap the lower back of your dog’s leg, and place its paw in your hand, using a treat as motivation.2

Tip #4: Train Your Cat to Wave or Shake Hands

Yes, it’s possible to train a cat! Cats are intelligent animals and you can teach a friendly feline to wave or shake hands by having them bat at a toy while reinforcing the act with a verbal or physical command. Throw in a treat for added incentive. After many repetitions, your cat will have a surprising greeting for friends and family.

Tip #5: Play a Game of Fetch

A good old-fashioned game of fetch is one of the simplest forms of pet playtime and an activity you and your pet can engage in indoors as well as outside. Grab a ball or a favorite toy and gently toss it into another room. Your dog or cat will hopefully retrieve the item; however, the tricky part may be getting it from them in return. One tip would be to use a treat as a stimulus and you’ll accomplish two objectives at once: having your cat or dog return the toy and also letting go of it. Make sure the path out and back to you is open and clear of any furniture that a pet may collide with.3

Tip #6: Make Interactive Cat Toys More Enticing for Your Frisky Feline

It’s disappointing to buy your pet a toy only to have them ignore it. Cats, in particular, can be finicky when it comes to toys. But perhaps your kitty just needs a little encouragement. Try waving the toys about or placing them in and out of the cat’s field of vision. Either motion may nudge your cat’s prey instinct and spur your feline friend to investigate further to play with the toys.

Tip #7: Use a Treat as a Lure to Start a Game of Chase

It’s usually not too difficult to get your pup to follow you around the house, but sometimes cold, murky weather can make them disinterested. Food is one surefire way to get your dog up and following you for a playful game of chase. Keep a biscuit in hand within eyeshot of your dog. Typically, they won’t give up the game until you surrender the bounty.

Tip #8: Initiate a Tug-of-War Challenge with Your Dog

Few canine pals can resist a good tug-of-war match. There are toys specifically designed for this purpose, but some common household items will do nicely as a substitute. Consider using an old article of clothing or towel tied in knots. This can help both you and your dog to get a good grip and engage in more spirited play. This game also presents an opportunity to teach good manners by training your dog to relinquish the makeshift rope.4

Tip #9: Give Old Newspaper a Second Life as a Cat Toy

Many cats take an interest in the most common things (as noted by pet parents after finding their feline friends nestled inside an open cardboard box from a recent delivery). Before tossing old newspaper into the recycling bin, consider using it to entertain your cat. It’s light enough so that a crumpled-up piece can be batted around the house safely. Once your cat is drawn in to playing with it, you might even see your pet pounce on it as they would a toy mouse. Newspaper ink is typically non-toxic but keep an eye on your pet during playtime to minimize any transfer of the substance to your cat’s paws or mouth area.

Tip #10: Set Up an Indoor Obstacle Course for Your Pet

You’d undoubtedly jump through hoops for your dog, and your pet can do the same for you. It just takes a little enticement. Creating an indoor obstacle course is a great way to help keep your pet nimble and fit. You can deploy small cones as boundaries and long, empty boxes as tunnels in a larger area of your home where they may have a free stretch to run (like a hallway, entryway or mudroom). Use a treat to help guide your dog through the maze. And yes – you can include hoops in the mix if you have the proper space and clearance inside your home or pet playroom.5

When you’re done playing, enjoy a nice long and loving cuddle on the couch. That’s a great way to beat those cabin fever blues. Ultimately, fun and games can help to keep your pet healthy, happy and alert. Activities like these also may help avoid unwanted trip to the vet’s office. Yet, when those trips are necessary, pet insurance can help relieve some of the financial burden.

Want to help defray the cost of vet bills? Learn more about pet insurance.

Sources
1,3,4https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/indoor-games-dogs
2,5,6,7https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/great-indoor-games-to-play-with-your-dog/

Learn More About Pet Insurance

More Prepare & Prevent

Image with dog being held by owner

Common Dog Diseases

There are many common illnesses that dogs can contract. Learn more about common dog diseases and how to identify them so your canine can get treated.

Boxes around with a dog sticking out of one.

7 Tips for Moving With a Pet

Moving with your cat, dog or other pet can be stressful for both you and your pet. Follow these tips for moving with pets to help with a smooth transition.

Dog sitting on a sofa in between an adult and a kid. How to Tell If Your Dog Is Sick

How to Tell if Your Dog is Sick

Dogs can communicate many things, but can you tell when they’re sick? Learn more about signs and symptoms that your furry friend may not be feeling well.

Top Stories
Image of a dog owner holding a dog bowl with food in it before giving it to the dog in the picture frame

What Not to Feed Your Dog

Your dog may ask for a bite of your food, but is it okay to share? Learn what foods not to feed your dogs and what to do if they eat something they shouldn’t.

  • Learn more

Related Content

  • How Often Should I Review My Insurance Coverage?
  • When Do I Need Extra Insurance for Jewelry and Other Valuable Items?
  • Yard Safety

Related Products & Discounts

Pet Insurance

Travelers' Pet Insurance covers pet health for dogs and cats, including wellness, accidents, and more. 


Home Insurance

Protect your home the way it protects you by choosing the property insurance coverage that meets your needs.


Personal Property Coverage

Personal property insurance can cover your belongings if they’re damaged in a covered loss.


See All Home Central Content


Travelers logo

Travelers and The Travelers Umbrella are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries.
© 2023 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.

  • Travelers on Facebook
  • Travelers on YouTube
  • Travelers on Twitter
  • Travelers on LinkedIn
  • Travelers on Instagram

Products & Services

  • For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • Claim Services
  • Prepare & Prevent

Our Company

  • About Travelers
  • Careers
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Travelers Institute

Connect

  • Customer Support
  • MyTravelers®
  • For Agents
  • Find an Agent

Legal & Compliance

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy & Security
  • Cookie Settings
  • Accessibility
  • Producer Compensation Disclosure

*Quotes may not be available in all states or for all products. In CA, quotes for all products must be obtained through a local independent agent.