5 Things to Do With Paper Bags
What can you do with a brown paper bag? Here are 5 ideas to bring enrichment and comfort to your shelter cats and dogs using little lunch bags and the big grocery variety.
Send ’Em Off with Doggie Bags
Shelby Humane Society creates food bombs by combining equal parts wet and dry food in a large bowl, and filling brown paper bags with one to two cups of the mixture—a great source of enrichment for the dogs in their care. At breakfast or dinner, staff or volunteers walk up and down the aisles, ensuring each kennel gets a food bomb.
Let Kitty Nest
Cats love nuzzling up to items that provide tactile stimulation. A simple paper grocery bag can decrease stress… and even provide you with some photo ops for sharing on social media.
A Kong By Any Other Name
A budget-friendly alternative to a Kong is to let dogs go at a paper bag with holes cut in the side. Fill with kibble, and add a smear of peanut butter for an extra treat. Fold the top shut and seal with nontoxic glue.
Make a Food Puzzle
Not only are bags tons of fun to pounce on, but add some treats and felines will forage, as they are naturally inclined. Constructing a food puzzle can be as simple as filling a bag and twisting it shut.
Video: foodpuzzlesforcats.com
Let the Cat Into the Bag
A paper bag and a towel = man cave for kitteh. Studies show hiding spots mean happier cats who are more likely to approach the front of the cage.
Concerned about ingestion of pieces and/or clean-up? Consider putting together a volunteer enrichment team that can allow animals to rip and shred under a watchful eye.
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For more enrichment ideas using everyday items, check out our Shelter DIY board on Pinterest.
