Explore the zoo
Enrichment ideas for your pets
Enriching the lives of animals is important for zoo animals as well as for your family pet
Dogs
- Parcel treats - paper bags or paper sacks containing a few dog biscuits or dog treats - rolled up tightly
- Kongs
- Boxes containing a few dog biscuits or dog treats. You could also add scrunched up newspaper or shredded paper for extra fun
- Chasing bubbles
- Paper towel tubes containing a dog biscuit or dog treats and twisted
Cats
- Boxes containing a few cat biscuits or cat treats. You could also add scrunched up newspaper or shredded paper for extra fun
- Chasing bubbles
- Feather dangling from a piece of string
Birds
- Fresh grass (but not grass which has been mown)
- Dandelion (both flower and foliage - picture below)
- Puha (picture below)
- Plantain (picture below)
- Change toys in cage around, always ensuring easy access to food and water
- Branches for chewing eg, camellia, pohutakawa, feijoa, caprosma
- Small pieces of fresh fruit
Note: Make sure all grass, weeds, and branches have not been sprayed. If you are uncertain about plant identification, do not give it to your bird.
Guinea pigs and rabbits
- Cardboard boxes for hiding in
- Branches with leaves for chewing eg, camellia, pohutakawa, feijoa, caprosma. Make sure branches and leaves have not been sprayed. If you are uncertain about plant identification, do not give it to your guinea pig or rabbit
- Toys which make rattling noises
- Scrunched up newspaper balls
- Ball
- Pinecones for chewing and for rolling around like a ball
Rats and mice
- Cardboard boxes for hiding in and chewing
- Branches for chewing eg, camellia, pohutakawa, feijoa, caprosma. Make sure branches and leaves have not been sprayed. If you are uncertain about plant identification, do not give it to your rat or mouse
- Toys which make rattling noises, for example, a small tin with a few pebbles inside.
- Scrunched up newspaper balls
- Ball
- Pinecones for chewing and for rolling around like a ball
- A pile of dry leaves for smelling, rolling in, and hiding under
Fish
- Change the position of plants and other items in the tank for variation
- Change the direction of any water flow to another position in the tank
- Remove and/or replace items in the tank for variation
- Floating roll cages containing food
Reptiles
- Change the position of plants, rocks, or other items in the enclosure for variation
- Remove and/or replace plants, rocks, or other items in the enclosure for variation
- Branches with leaves for smelling and rubbing against, for example, camellia, pohutakawa, feijoa, caprosma. Make sure branches and leaves have not been sprayed. If you are uncertain about plant identification, do not give it to your reptile.
- A pile of dry leaves for smelling, rolling in, and hiding under
Amphibians
- Use a small vial filled with fly eggs with a small hole in it. As the flies hatch they come out of the hole and is a little game for the frogs!
- Use varied moss plants to give cover to hide in and climb
Safety is the most important thing to remember when giving any enrichment or toys to your animals.
Avoid using any item containing:
- Small pieces which can be chewed off or easily break off the item, sharp pieces or soft plastic - these can be swallowed, causing choking or injury
- Material fibres for birds - these may be swallowed, causing choking or injury
If you are unsure which items are appropriate for your pet, check with your vet nurse or vet.
