Enrichment Deficit

Free your PET'S mind and body…

and take one giant step closer to behavioral and emotional wellness.

Jamie Flanders CDBC FPPE CFDM

Enrichment is an important part of your pet’s life, and a mission critical responsibility for those who choose to take on pet ownership. Enrichment is equally as important to our pet as food, water, and shelter is.

Enrichment is anything that enables a captive animal to perform natural behaviors they would normally do but are prevented from doing as a result of being in captivity. Unrestricted freedom of movement and the ability to express natural behaviors is part of the 5 freedoms of animal welfare. Like it or not, by and large our pet dogs and cats are captive animals. They depend on us for everything and we are in control of every aspect of their life.

When your pet is not getting consistent opportunities for enrichment as close to daily as possible, they will eventually enter what I call an enrichment deficit. Animals in an enrichment deficit can be plagued by a myriad of problematic behaviors that are either created or exacerbated by being in an enrichment deficit, and intensified further with excessive confinement.

Excessive confinement is not only limited to hours spent in a crate but also day-in-day-out confinement to a house and yard with no relief. Issues you might see can be anything from depression, inability to settle, compulsive disorders, escalating reactivity, escalating aggression, and potentially pet madness .

If you think of your pet’s enrichment needs like a cup that you need to fill, you want your pet’s cup to always be at or above the deficit line.

When your pet is in an enrichment deficit, it is going to take a few days or even a few weeks of consistent day to day enrichment and reduced confinement before your pet will be out of the deficit. Each opportunity you give your pet for enrichment and freedom of movement will slowly begin filling their cup. Once your pet is out of their enrichment deficit, you should be able to observe positive changes in their behavior and ability to relax between enrichment opportunities.

The types of enrichment opportunities you provide your pet will depend on each individual, their species, age, health, and their breed.