Who doesn’t love family game night? Even if you partake once a week, unplugging from all the devices and coming together with snacks and fun activities to play makes any home happier. The next time everybody’s in the same room, though, don’t leave your pets out on the good times.

When it comes to play time with your dog, you may think you’re limited to what you can enjoy outdoors. You don’t have to wait for a sunny day to play, though. Some games may be played safely indoors, and they’re a great way to not only bond with your pets but promote mental and physical agility. Best of all, you don’t have to rearrange the furniture to try out some of these games with your dog.

Tug of War: When played correctly, tug of war is a great way for our dogs to get in a lot of meaningful play and exercise. Before you start, make sure your dog understands the "drop it" or "leave it" commands. If your dog gets extra rowdy or starts mouthing you, it's time to stop the game. 

Don’t be afraid to let your dog win, too. There's no evidence that it promotes dominance -- in fact, studies have shown that letting your dog win just shows that you're really fun to be around and makes them want to play even more.

We haven’t forgotten the cats! On a cozy, quiet day, amuse them with the Buggin Out Puzzle and Play or the Rainy Day Puzzle and Play games.

“Which Hand?”: This is a great starter game for dogs who haven't practiced nose work before. Simply take a piece of kibble or a dog treat and place it in one of your hands. Hold both of your hands out towards your dog in a fist and have them pick which hand it is in. This helps promote the “touch” command. If your dog doesn't play nicely, and mouths you or claws at your hands, stop and practice some basic impulse control first.

Putting Away Toys: Dogs love this game, though that might have to do with all the awesome praise they get once they're cleaned up. Start by having your dog pick up a toy near where they're normally stored. Have your dog "drop it" while standing over the toy box. This might take a while for your dog to get, but with patience and a lot of praise you'll end up with a dog that can clean up after themself.

Three Cups: This is another great nose work starter game. Get out 3 cups and line them up in a row in front of your dog. To start, put a treat under one of the cups while your dog is watching, give him the OK to show you which one is the right cup. When he chooses correctly, praise him & let him have the treat. Once your dog seems to get the hang of it you can make it more challenging by mixing the cups around after you place the treat.

Dogs love games with a treat at the end! Try the Spot Seek-A-Treat Flip ‘N Flap Dog IQ Puzzle or the Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Casino to test their skills.

Looking for more great ideas for indoor games to play with your pets? At Care-A-Lot Pet Supply, we not only provide our customers with quality pet food and other products, we are here to help you keep your pets happy and healthy. When you visit any of our stores in Hampton Roads or Moyock, or connect with our online customer service representatives, we’ll happily answer your questions about pet care and play.