Enrichment for Exotic Companion Pets
Enrichment is a continuously growing concept in animal care centered around keeping captive animals stimulated by allowing them to engage in as many natural behaviors as possible and giving them choices in how they interact with their environment. While enrichment is widely utilized in zoos and most commonly with large mammals, birds, reptiles, and small mammals are often overlooked. Mental stimulation and enrichment are essential to providing optimal care for any animal kept as a pet — and many approaches are simple to implement and create wonderful bonding opportunities.
There are two primary types of enrichment:
- Environmental enrichment — give them something to explore in their environment
- Enrichment activities — give them a challenge or make them work for rewards
Enrichment for Birds
Birds are extremely intelligent and greatly benefit from mental and environmental enrichment. A busy bird is a happy bird! Providing opportunities to forage for food rather than eat from a bowl allows birds to engage in natural behavior while encouraging movement and exercise, reducing the incidence of obesity and boredom. Placing food in boxes, on a kabob hanging from the cage, or inside a paper towel roll encourages independence. Keeping a variety of toys and rotating them routinely — changing the type, color, and location — is enjoyable for many birds. Even junk mail and cardboard that can be shredded provide activity time.
When possible, obtaining another bird of the same sex (to prevent breeding) can encourage natural behaviors and provide additional stimulation. Proper husbandry and enrichment can greatly reduce behavioral disorders commonly seen in birds.
Note: When considering getting another bird, please consult with a veterinarian on the best steps for introducing them and keeping both birds healthy and safe. If the birds do not bond or cannot live together, even having another bird in the same room can be beneficial.
Enrichment for Small Mammals
Enrichment for small mammals can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Simple techniques include scattering or hiding a small number of veterinarian-approved treats around the enclosure to encourage natural foraging behavior. Creating supervised exploration spaces for 1–2 hours per day — such as mini obstacle courses that change regularly — is an excellent way to break up the monotony of daily life. Many small mammals also love toys. Oxbow Animal Health is one company that specializes in toys designed specifically to enrich captive animals’ lives. For more species-specific ideas, your veterinarian is a great resource.
Enrichment for Reptiles & Amphibians
Reptiles and amphibians are unfortunately the most commonly neglected species when it comes to enrichment — but there are very simple ways to remedy this. Puzzle feeders designed for dogs and cats work excellently for foraging behaviors, especially in snakes. Placing a frozen, warm-thawed prey item in a puzzle feeder encourages the reptile to interact with a new environment and “hunt” for their food. Many reptiles are also intelligent enough to be target trained, and animals trained this way are often easier to handle in a veterinary setting since they associate the target with a reward.
Small changes to a reptile’s enclosure — adding a branch, plant, or new object to explore — can be highly enriching. Consider making these changes as frequently as every other day to simulate a “new” environment. It is also important to consider the animal’s natural habitat when designing enrichment. For example, a desert species that rarely encounters water may find a short supervised water bath stimulating — just be cautious not to allow soaking for too long.
There are many excellent online resources for reptile enrichment ideas, including reptelligence.com and the Reptile Enrichment and Training Facebook group. Use caution when relying on these sources for medical advice, as it is not always possible to verify the information found there.
Enrichment is an extremely important aspect of all captive animal care. Think frequently about how you can provide the most enriching life for your companion animal — be creative, crafty, and always safe. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian.
