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Fumbleboards and Fummel boxes OH MY!

fumbleThis is a fantastic webpage inspired by Helena Dbalý's wonderful book, Playtime for Cats. The page is in German, but I used Google Translate to get the gist of the ideas! First idea: DIY multi-puzzle foraging boards, incorporating toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, bowls, and cups to inspire foraging behavior in your cat. Once you get the idea, you are only limited by your own recycling bin and creativity!

 

Second idea: letting your cat dig for treats in a bowl of wine corks, paper balls, wooden blocks, or other safe objects!

The Wine Box Food Puzzle

"Hmmm. What's in here?"
"Hmmm. What's in here?"

Any ole wine box will do to make this super easy and cheap foraging toy. Watch to see how these three silly's utilize this object. They are pretty hilarious. It helps if you have long legs for this one!

Similarly you can use any compartmentalized box such as a beer caddy as well! Cheers!

"Snacks, That's what!"
"Snacks, That's what!"
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Squashed!
Squashed!

 

 

Foraging Cubes by Fundamentally Feline

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Foraging cubes are one of the most difficult food puzzles you can offer your cat. Most cats are initially pretty stumped by cubes but once they do get the hang of it they are unstoppable! Foraging ping-pong balls can also be combined with these cubes to further increase the challenge. Simply fill ping-pong with dry food, place inside the cube and offer that to your cat. This way they have to accomplish acquiring food from two objects at once! A puzzle for the Kitty Einstein/Master Forager for sure!

Milly, the star of the video below, is one of the kitties featured in the table of our Food Puzzle paper in the JFMS. She is the very last kitty in the table if you follow the link provided.

Production time!
Production time!

The Pyramid by Nina Ottosson

One of the more challenging of the commercial food puzzles, the pryamid is weighted, heavy and also comes in an opaque version making it great for an experienced forager. The challenge is tipping it over! Similar to a Weeble-Wobble, it will constantly right itself and stand back up.

Clear version available with larger opening to accommodate treats as well as food.
Clear version available with larger opening to accommodate treats as well as food.
Available in this opaque "beehive" style. A bit larger than the clear version.
Available in this opaque "beehive" style. A bit larger than the clear version.

The Windmill by Trixie Pet

This is a fantastic feline foraging toy! Traditionally a dog toy, it really seems geared more towards cats as most dogs would destroy this product. It comes with two sets of interchangeable lids, a set with one large hole and another set with three small holes. The holes can be taped up with scotch tape once your cat has mastered the concept to increase the challenge level. Large marbles can also be placed inside to add weight and obstruct the opening from time to time to make the toy much more difficult once your cats gets the hang of it.

 

 

A Harry & David pear box!

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What an easy and cheap (let's be honest these are generally free as they are often given as gifts) food puzzle! Simply take the lid off and sprinkle kibble inside.

To increase difficulty place other objects inside the compartments to serve as an obstacle.

It really cannot get much easier than this folks!

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Foraging Mini Egg by Fundamentally Feline

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Foraging eggs are an awesome and versatile toy. They are opaque and provide erratic movement, keeping kitty entertained and on the move. The eggs can be filled and placed inside other foraging toys such as the cup or any of the “gear” toys to increase the difficulty level for your master forager!