Indoor obstacle courses keep pets moving and thinking during bad weather. On cold, icy, or rainy February days, even high-energy dogs benefit from structured indoor activity. Cats, rabbits, and some small goats (yes—house goats exist!) also enjoy navigating gentle, safe obstacles. Creativity matters more than equipment.
Start with low-impact items. Use cushions to create soft jumps, arrange dining chairs for weaving lanes, or lay towels as “islands” for stepping. Keep everything close to the ground to prevent injury. Even small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs appreciate tunnels made from boxes or fabric tubes.
Encourage slow, controlled movement. Teach your dog to step over broomsticks placed on books or practice walking through narrow hallways without touching the sides. Controlled exercises burn energy without triggering zoomie chaos. Cats enjoy climbing towers during obstacle play, especially when encouraged with wand toys.
Offer rewards that encourage exploration. Treat trails, scent-dabbed toys, or short tug breaks motivate pets to try new sections of the course. Rabbits may enjoy following tiny veggie bits placed safely along easy pathways.
Change the layout frequently. Rotate cushion positions, widen or narrow gaps, or add tactile experiences like folded blankets or crinkly paper. Variety keeps obstacles interesting. Goats or small farm animals kept indoors during storms benefit from similar low-impact enrichment in barns.
If you want indoor-safe toys, puzzle items, or soft tug options, The Hungry Puppy stocks enrichment tools that complement these obstacle courses perfectly. A little creativity makes winter activity fun.