5 Signs Your Pet Might Be Bored During the Day

A bored pet isn't just an unhappy pet—it's often a destructive or unhealthy one. According to research from the University of Lincoln, mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for our furry companions. Here's how to tell if your pet is suffering from boredom during the day.

Sign #1: Destructive Behavior

If you're coming home to chewed furniture, destroyed pillows, or scratched doors, boredom might be the culprit. Dogs evolved to spend 80% of their waking hours searching for food and exploring, according to canine cognition research. Modern domestic life often doesn't provide these outlets.

Sign #2: Excessive Sleeping

While dogs naturally sleep 12-14 hours per day and cats sleep 12-16 hours, excessive lethargy when awake can indicate boredom. If your pet shows no interest in toys, activities, or even treats when you're home, they may have "given up" on expecting stimulation.

A 2020 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that dogs with enriched environments showed more active behaviors and lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels than those in barren environments.

Sign #3: Attention-Seeking Behaviors

When you ARE home, does your pet follow you everywhere? Do they bark, meow, or whine constantly for attention? This could mean they're so understimulated during the day that they're desperately trying to make up for lost time.

Common attention-seeking behaviors include:

• Pawing at you constantly
• Bringing toys repeatedly
• Barking or meowing until acknowledged
• Jumping on counters or tables (cats)
• Getting into "trouble" specifically when you're watching

Sign #4: Repetitive Behaviors

Stereotypic or repetitive behaviors are a clear sign of psychological distress. In dogs, this might manifest as:

• Tail chasing (beyond occasional playfulness)
• Pacing in fixed patterns
• Excessive licking of paws or surfaces
• Spinning before settling down—repeatedly

In cats, look for:

• Over-grooming leading to hair loss
• Wool sucking or fabric chewing
• Excessive vocalization

Sign #5: Weight Changes

Bored pets often eat out of monotony rather than hunger. Research from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention shows that over 50% of dogs and cats are overweight or obese—and lack of activity plays a major role.

Conversely, some anxiously bored pets may lose their appetite entirely, leading to weight loss.

How PetView Helps You Spot the Signs

The challenge with boredom is that it happens when you're not there to see it. That's where a pet camera becomes invaluable:

Solutions for Boredom

For Dogs:

• Puzzle feeders — Make mealtime last longer and engage their brain
• Rotating toys — Keep a toy box and rotate which toys are available
• Dog daycare or walker — Break up long days
• Frozen Kongs — Fill with peanut butter and freeze for long-lasting treats
• Window perch — Let them watch the world go by

For Cats:

• Cat trees and perches — Vertical space is enriching
• Interactive toys — Battery-operated mice, feather wands left out
• Bird feeders outside windows — "Cat TV"
• Cardboard boxes — Simple but effective
• A second cat — If your lifestyle allows

The Takeaway

Boredom isn't just an inconvenience—it can lead to behavioral problems, health issues, and a diminished quality of life for your pet. By recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps, you can ensure your furry friend stays happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated even when you're away.