This small dog toy is great for cats too! Do not let the puppy logo fool you, cats are quite capable of working a wide array of dog puzzles and this one is no exception. This toy is easy to fill and works with many different sizes of dry food. This toy is a bulky & heavy which can present a bit of a challenge for felines!
This weighted, opaque egg by SmartyKat can be quite a challenge for some kitties. Opaque toys are more difficult because the cat must go on learned previous experiences no longer having the visual cue that there is food inside. The weighted base of course provides more difficulty and to increase the challenge even further this toy can easily be placed inside larger foraging objects like the yogurt cup shown here. Now the cat must get the food out of two puzzles at once!
This is a beginner puzzle that surprisingly kept a few master foragers occupied for a minute! It spins and swirls like a top, dispensing food out of one of three openings. The inside has a maze that prevents the food from dispensing too easily. It is good to offer novel puzzles from time to time to curb mental boredom.
In this video clip, you will see how both a kitten and a handicapable senior cat interacts with essentially a foraging pinata. This toy can be adjusted to varying heights. If they have to reach up to bat at it that increases the difficulty.
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.
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!
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.
This DIY food puzzle is basically a homemade version of the Peek-A-Prize box, only more challenging because it has fewer openings.
Start by placing cardboard inside to create a flat bottom. Expand holes as needed to accommodate your cat's paws. Then place food and toys inside for an easy DIY foraging game!
If you wish to increase the challenge further, simply fill small food puzzles such as the ping-pong balls or mini eggs by Fundamentally Feline for an even greater challenge! The more balls and mice inserted into the box creates more obstacles for your cat to navigate around while attempting to acquire the food.
You can make a food puzzle for your cat out of virtually anything!
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!
The ThinKat is a beautiful beginner food puzzle. Cats can either dig food out of the flowers or access food at the base of each flower. Extra flowers can be added to increase the depth and the petals are supple and can be folded inward (see photo below). This requires the cat to "unfold" the petals to gain access to the food. This is definitely a foraging toy you can proudly display in your living room when guests come over!
Click video above to see it in action!
