Food puzzles for cats Archives - Page 3 of 6

The Barnacle by Petsafe

Willow looking pleased with her accomplishment.

This is yet another dog toy that is great for cats too. It is a bit bulky and heavy, but if manipulated hard enough it will provide erratic movement. This toy is also great for cats that are chewers as it would be difficult to destroy. Some cats do like to gnaw on it.

Cut prongs to correlate with kibble size & desired difficulty.

Fill all three nodules with food.

Offer to your cat to explore.

Finn, gnawing on a large dog Barnacle!

Close up view.

The Peek – A – Prize Box by SmartCat

This is a versatile cat toy that can also be used as a food puzzle. This wooden box will hold the attention of young cats and kittens, but as cats get older they tend to lose interest, so re-purposing it as a food puzzle is a great way to rejuvenate interest!

Aikiou Junior Feeder

Yet another stationary food puzzle that is great for cats even though it is marketed towards dogs. This puzzle can be used for canned or dry food.

"I tried it and I liked it!"

Treat Mouse by Aikiou

Cats actually love this little treat mouse by Aikiou as a traditional cat toy and as a food puzzle. It is perfectly sized to mimic prey, dispenses small pieces of food and has a great overall feel. It is not very difficult but could be easily placed inside a larger food puzzle to create a greater challenge. Hiding it would make for a fun game too!

Cat Amazing

This foraging box is complex and unique as it offers many different compartments for a unique foraging experience. For those looking for products not made of plastic this is a nice alternative. It is a more challenging stationary toy for the more experienced forager.

The Snuffle Mat

Other ways to use your Snuffle Mat!

A truly unique foraging toy that simulates rooting through grass as a cat would do hunting for small prey like bugs. This is an easy toy; great for beginners. It can be machine washed and dried making it easy to care for and maintain.

The Snuffle Mat is made by Paw 5 and we home to see more cool toys roll out from them.

Watch video below!

The Nina Ottosson Mix Max

This puzzle is a mental challenge. It requires some serious thinking and problem solving skills. Or, they can just push the pieces around until they are successful, but hopefully most cats learn the process. This video features only one puzzle piece, more can be added to increase the difficulty.

This is a very difficult toy and should only be offered to an experienced forager. Watch video above to see this one in action.

Cat Love Furry Frolics Treat Ball by Hagen

This little ball does not look like much but it is actually a great little food puzzle. It can be quite challenging as it has three levels that the food must fall through to dispense out the opening. It is small and doesn't hold too much food which is great for cats trying to slim down.

This toy is very inexpensive. In fact, acquiring a few of them would be ideal. They could easily be hidden around the house for a full day of rations. It also functions well being inserted into a larger food puzzle for increase challenge as shown in the photos below.

Add to the Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble foraging toy.

Add to the Foraging Cup by Fundamentally Feline.

Add to a homemade recycled box toy.

Add to a homemade recycled jar.

Recycled box = difficult DIY puzzle

1. Poke hole in a cardboard box.

This is a ridiculously easy puzzle to make and it happens to be disposable and recyclable so it's great option for shelters.

Square objects, as a rule, are quite difficult. It is not recommended to frustrate your cat so please only offer this style toy if you cat is up for the challenge.

Weights, other small cat toys and smaller food puzzles can all be placed inside to increase the challenge.

2. Fill with deliciousness and offer box to cat.

3. Commence with foraging.

4. Happy and challenged cat.

Foraging Gears by Fundamentally Feline

The XL size is shown here.

Shown here "doubled up" for greater challenge.

These are more difficult objects as they do not roll easily and are heavy. Notice the cog and wheel style colored ends that make the object more difficult to manipulate on a hard surface.

If your cat is a master forager combine this toy with a foraging egg mini. Fill the egg and drop it inside the gear toy to increase the challenge and make your cats work extra hard! You can also add a ping pong ball or two inside so that the food does not always make it to the opening so easily.

These ideas are great for cats on a diet plan where we really need to limit their intake or for those with boredom triggered behavior problems as this will occupy them for a longer period of time!

Yes, some cats actually get this good at working for food!

See this toy in action here! (The cat using it is blind and handicapped)!!

Available in three sizes.

The "long gear" shown doubled stuffed.