Puzzle feeders for cats: why are they needed

Cat owners are well aware that while their furry friends do well with their daily routine, they can easily get bored. This can lead to all sorts of trouble. In this case, puzzle cat feeders can be a great solution. They will not only occupy the pet, but also make him move.

What is a puzzle feeder

Typically, cat food puzzles are plastic containers in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Their purpose is to force the cat to “make an effort to get its own food,” explains the Cummings Center for Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Such items enrich the cat’s environment and can be made from any material or object into which food and treats can be safely placed.

Cats can be very picky about what type of puzzle feeder they like, so you may have to try several models until your picky cat picks one that interests him. The main task is to choose the puzzle that will stimulate the senses and instincts of the animal.

Types of food puzzles for cats

The most popular cat food puzzles are for dry food, but you can also try wet food. When choosing the food that will be used in the puzzle, you need to remember that it will have to be cleaned.

Some cat bowl puzzles involve the cat using its paw to lift clear plastic lids, open drawers, or take pieces out of a maze, while others require the cat to extract food with its mouth. There are puzzle feeders that are placed vertically on a solid base, while others are placed directly on the floor.

Puzzle cat feeders don’t have to be expensive. Pet stores offer many options available, but you can make your own puzzle cat feeder using:

• cardboard tubes;
• empty plastic water bottles;
• egg cartons;
• plastic cups;
• plastic ice cube trays.

Mobile puzzle feeders are especially interesting because the cat can roll them on the floor. This adds an element of chase to the game. However, you should make sure that the animal can actually get food from there. The point of the puzzle is not to make the cat angry, but to give it a task for which it will be rewarded.

Your pet’s safety should be your top priority. The puzzle should not have sharp edges, small parts that can be swallowed, or protruding parts that can cause injury.

Benefits of puzzle cat feeders

These accessories stimulate the cat’s instincts in the following ways:

Getting rid of boredom

Cats do sleep a lot, but they need something to do during waking hours or they can get bored and start wreaking havoc in the house. “The stalking and hunting instincts that the cat inherited from its wild ancestors are still strong, and food puzzles allow these instincts to be exercised,” Michel Delgado, an expert on cat behavior, says in an interview with Scientific American.The need to make an effort to get food really enriches the lives of pets. “Of course, it’s not exactly the same as hunting, but when combined with other forms of mental enrichment, like interactive games, puzzles can really provide a cat with the stimuli and tasks they lack to be completely happy,” Delgado said.

Nutrition and weight control

Like treat dispensers, puzzle feeders can be used to provide your cat with a complete meal. International Cat Care notes that puzzle feeders stimulate mental and physical activity, so their use for feeding is suitable for not the most active pets.

Ability to avoid feeding at night

Some cat owners dream of sleeping through the night without getting up to feed their pet. Food puzzles can help make those dreams come true by giving your cat open access to the nighttime meal. Thanks to such feeders, the cat will not be able to eat all his food in a matter of minutes.

However, at night it is better to use stationary feeders. Another option is to limit the movement of the mobile puzzle feeders to places that are further away from the bedroom so that noise does not interfere with sleep.

The perfect puzzle feeder engages your furry friend in the full process of stalking, hunting and capturing prey. The cat may not immediately fall in love with a new toy, but once it does, it will immediately turn into a satisfied and enthusiastic hunter.

See also:

Is your cat overweight? Help her lose weight How to properly feed a house cat How to properly feed and pamper your cat How do toys with treats keep a cat active?