Creative Indoor Play Ideas for Rainy Days

Rainy days may be perfect for curling up with a blanket and a good book—but your pets might not agree; dogs want to run, cats want to pounce, and suddenly your living room becomes a racetrack.

When outdoor adventures are off the table, keeping your pet mentally and physically stimulated is still important. The good news is that there are plenty of fun and simple indoor pet activities you can try to brighten even the gloomiest day.

In this post, we’ll share easy, engaging rainy day pet games and clever dog & cat enrichment ideas that will help your furry friend stay active, focused, and entertained indoors.

Why Indoor Enrichment Matters

Pets need more than food and a comfy place to sleep—they also need mental stimulation and physical activity to stay healthy.

Benefits of indoor enrichment:

• Prevents boredom and destructive behaviour
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Supports better sleep and mood
• Builds confidence and trust
• Strengthens the bond between you and your pet

Whether you’ve got a playful puppy, a high-energy cat, or a senior pet with limited mobility, there’s something here for everyone.

Fun Indoor Games for Dogs

Dogs love movement, problem-solving, and, most of all—your attention; these indoor games are easy to set up and perfect for a rainy day.

1. Hide and Seek

Have your dog sit and stay, then go hide in another room and call them. Reward them with treats and praise when they find you; this builds recall, strengthens your bond, and gets your dog thinking.

2. Tug-of-War

Use a sturdy rope or tug toy and play gently. Let your dog “win” now and then to keep it fun and positive; tugging burns energy and satisfies your dog’s natural instincts.

3. Indoor Fetch

Use a soft ball or plush toy in a hallway or large room. Roll it instead of throwing to reduce chaos and protect furniture and for smaller spaces, fetch can still be effective in short bursts.

4. Scent Work and Treat Hunts

Hide treats around a room or use a snuffle mat. Let your dog sniff them out using their incredible nose; scent games are great for dog enrichment but mentally tiring.

5. Trick Training Sessions

Teach or review basic commands like “sit,” “paw,” “roll over,” or “spin.” Use small treats and keep sessions short and positive; learning new tricks keeps your dog mentally sharp and focused.

Indoor Fun for Curious Cats

Cats need stimulation, too—even if they don’t demand it like dogs, these games encourage natural feline behaviour and offer hours of entertainment.

1. DIY Obstacle Course

Create a simple course using boxes, cushions, and tunnels. Let your cat climb, crawl, and explore at their own pace; obstacle courses provide safe indoor cat enrichment and encourage exercise.

2. Laser Chase

A classic favourite—just be sure to give your cat a physical toy to “catch” at the end to avoid frustration; use in short sessions to avoid overstimulation.

3. Paper Bag Hideouts

Cats love crinkly, enclosed spaces. Toss a few treats into paper bags (with handles removed) and let your cat explore, it’s an inexpensive way to satisfy their curiosity.

4. Wand Toy Play

Wand toys mimic prey, activating your cat’s hunting instincts, move the toy like a bird or mouse and let your cat pounce and chase; keep sessions fun but controlled to avoid overexcitement.

5. Puzzle Feeders

Serve part of your cat’s meals in a puzzle feeder to turn dinner into a game, it slows down eating and adds mental stimulation, and it is perfect for rainy days when mealtime becomes playtime.

Shared Games for Dogs and Cats (Yes, Really!)

If you live in a mixed pet household, you can include both species in indoor fun with a few simple adjustments.

Shared enrichment ideas:

• Treat scavenger hunts: Hide treats in different areas—dogs sniff, cats pounce
• Clicker training: Use a clicker and treats to teach simple tricks to both pets
• Interactive toys: Toys, like treat balls or motion-sensor devices, can entertain both dogs and cats
• Box forts: Stack boxes or tunnels for cats to climb and dogs to sniff

Always supervise joint play to make sure both pets are enjoying themselves.

Creative DIY Toys and Games

You don’t have to spend money to keep pets happy, many indoor pet activities can be made from items you already have at home.

DIY enrichment ideas:

• Towel rolls: Hide kibble in a rolled-up towel for your dog to unravel
• Toilet roll puzzles: Stuff paper rolls with treats and fold the ends closed
• Cardboard treat maze: Use a shoebox and cut holes to hide treats
• Sock toys: Fill a sock with fabric scraps or a crinkly wrapper (supervised use only)
• Plastic bottle rattle: Put kibble inside an empty bottle with holes punched out for treats to fall through

Always monitor your pet to make sure homemade toys are safe and not being chewed into pieces.

Tips for Safe Indoor Play

While indoor games are fun, safety should always come first—especially in tight spaces or with energetic pets.

Safety guidelines:

• Move furniture to create open play zones
• Avoid slippery floors or rugs that bunch up
• Use soft toys to protect walls and furniture
• Supervise playtime with new toys or DIY creations
• Keep sessions short and varied to avoid boredom or frustration

And don’t forget to adjust your pet’s daily food intake if they’re getting a lot of treats during play.

Mental Enrichment Beyond Toys

Sometimes pets just need a new experience to stay engaged—even indoors.

Rainy day pet enrichment ideas:

• Window watching: Set up a perch for cats or a bed near a window for dogs
• New scents: Introduce different smells (lavender, herbs, or animal scents) for your pet to sniff
• Pet-safe music or videos: Try relaxing sounds or animal videos to engage their senses
• Training games: Work on basic cues or fun new tricks to boost focus and confidence

Mixing up your pet’s routine—even in small ways—keeps them curious and content.

Final Thoughts: Making Rainy Days Fun

Just because the weather isn’t great doesn’t mean your pet’s day has to be boring. With a little creativity and a few everyday items, you can turn a rainy afternoon into an opportunity for bonding, learning, and laughter.

Whether it’s a scavenger hunt for your dog, a box fort for your cat, or a puzzle toy that gets both pets thinking, rainy-day pet games are a great way to boost health and happiness indoors.

With the right mix of dog & cat enrichment, you’ll find that even the dreariest day can be filled with wagging tails, playful paws, and lots of fun.