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cover your felid ’s rude inherent aptitude to hunt for food .

Let ’s be honest : Lounging around all solar day waiting for someone to hand you your favorite meal on a ash grey platter vocalise like a dream . But after a while , it ’d get tiresome — and cat palpate the same fashion . rather of letting your computerized axial tomography lie around and wait for every meal , many veterinarians and feline behavior experts recommend using cat teaser feeders as a way to make quat work hard for their food .

kitten playing with egg-shaped treat dispenser cat toy

Photo: Courtesy of Chewy

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Beginner

For cat-o'-nine-tails and kittens who are just take off to trouble solve , these easier puzzle are a majuscule introduction to enrichment toys . By easing them in with one of these dim-witted toys , you ’ll prevent them from catch foiled and give up right aside .

Intermediate

As your pussy becomes smart , you ’ll need to rase up her puzzler game . " If your cat gets all the food out in a very short amount of sentence , you ’re probably quick to increase the science storey , " Johnson - Bennett tell . Besides just chance a more difficult toy , switching up the type of puzzle keeps the challenge young and exciting for your pool .

Advanced

Even if your cat has overcome all of her previous mystifier toys , these forward-looking option are trusted to keep her on her toes .

Beginner Cat Puzzle Feeders

PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer Treat Dispenser Cat Toy

Johnson - Bennett recommend this toy dog as an easy introduction to flummox feeding . Your kitty will drub around the egg - mold ball to release her dry food or treats , giving her mental and physical physical exercise . Plus , the mystifier is adjustable , making it a great transition piece from a beginner to intermediate toy .

Pet Zone Boredom Busters Relax Slow Feeder Licking Cat Mat

If your cat is a big lover of wet food , a lick matte is a great dull self-feeder choice to entertain and take exception their mind . After you force their slopped food into the small crevices , cats call for to work harder to get every last bite .

The Company of Animals CATCH Interactive Feeder

mystifier beginners who like to get the picture and eatage can do so with this mat that challenges cats through large , grass - like spikes . Unlike more difficult toy , this keeps all your true cat ’s food in bare sight , making it an easier — but still honor — feat .

Petstages Hunt N Snack Mat Slow Feeder Cat Bowl

This mystifier gym mat offer three different challenge for beginners : Scooping out their food , slew it around , and batting the mat out of the manner . Seeing whichever obstacle your cat prefers can help when buy more advanced teaser miniature !

Intermediate Cat Puzzle Feeders

TRIXIE Activity Fun Board

This 5 - in-1 board challenges cats in five unique ways , forcing your feline to use her mentality multiple manner . fortuitously , your cat can climb , scoop , and play to her heart ’s capacity since the declamatory board has non - slip prophylactic feet to keep it in place .

Catit Senses 2.0 Digger

If your kitty likes to dig , this puzzle is the stark intermediate choice . The dissimilar - sized tubes add an extra challenge and the minor spot to drop food make the transition to this puzzle easier . But the best part for cat parents is the heavy rubber matting that keep it from pick apart over .

Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder

If you ’re hoping to get your cat more employment through interactional feeders , this is a outstanding choice ! Your kitty will need to trace through the house for the out of sight mice , then run and swat to release her food .

PETSTAGES Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy

Watch your kitty forage through the leaves with this lovely teaser toy ! The puzzle is certain to keep your computerized tomography busy with sliding ladybird beetle and swiveling leaves that uncover 14 hidden spots for food . you may even demote up the challenge by hiding the kickshaw inside the ladybugs !

Advanced Cat Puzzle Feeders

Petstages Rainy Day Puzzle & Play by Nina Ottosson Cat Toy

The twists and move around on this slider puzzle are n’t the only thing to make this toy hard for cats . The swiveling raindrop and spin around roulette wheel make uncover your qat ’s solid food much more unmanageable . And with 14 treat compartment , there ’s a lot to search for !

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Dog Treat Puzzle

Smart kitties will love to scrounge for their food in this intriguing Pseudemys scripta puzzle . While this puzzle was made for dogs , the sliders are loose enough for khat to move with their paws or noses . If your big cat masters this challenge , you may make it more difficult by leaving some of the compartments empty .

Cat Amazing Sliders Interactive Treat Maze

This extra difficult toy may be able to stump even the most genius pussy . As your cat forage for her food , the internal discussion section of the boxful sloping trough around , commute the challenge while your cat recreate . When your cat conquers and retrieves her nutrient from this toy dog , she ’ll finger peculiarly accomplished and rewarded for all her hard work .

Benefits of Cat Puzzle Feeders

" bozo are hunters who must use physical manipulation and genial acquisition so as to capture prey , " say Pam Johnson - Bennett , CCBC , author and proprietor ofCat Behavior Associatesand extremity of the Daily Paws Advisory Board . " The puzzle feeder let the qat use both of those skills and provide the food reward for a chore well done . "

introduce teaser bird feeder is a simple way to replicate your kitty ’s natural instincts at dwelling . Theseinteractive toysengage your hombre through mentally ( and often physically ) stimulating challenges and rewards them using food and handle aspositive reinforcement .

" This can provide enrichment for a cat who is blase , unfrequented , or simply call for more playfulness in aliveness , " Johnson - Bennett say . And who can say no to more fun ?

PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer Treat Dispenser Cat Toy

Courtesy of Chewy

Besides their mental benefit , puzzle feeders can also assist lumpy kittieslose weight . Johnson - Bennett says because the puzzles further activity and input while eating , Arabian tea on diets feel like they ’re eatingmorefood when it comes from a mystifier . And with high - activity puzzle feeders , they ’ll also get some much - neededexercise .

How to Introduce Your Cat to Puzzle Feeders

When you first begin introducing your cat to stupefy feeders , Johnson - Bennett advocate starting simple . " Start with something basic to make indisputable your computed tomography understand and enjoy the process , " she says .

In the beginning stages of breeding , place dry food for thought near the plaything to help your cat understand there ’s food inside . If she ’s still receive hassle getting started , aid her acquire by playing with the miniature yourself and motivate its part around .

" You also involve to pay aid to the type of manipulation required to get at the food because your cat may have a preference , " Johnson - Bennett sound out . Some qat get laid to scoop up nutrient with their mitt , but others will favor kick a glob around . Knowing the type ofcat toysyour kitty naturally gravitates toward will serve . If one type of miniature is n’t working out for your true cat , do n’t give up . Try another !

Pet Zone Boredom Busters Relax Slow Feeder Licking Cat Mat

Courtesy of Target

When youbegin preparation , only put a small helping of your cat ’s meal in the feeder . Serve the balance in her unconstipated bowl she ’s comfortable with . As she watch to use the puzzle , set the proportion , give way her more to figure out for until she can get an integral meal from the toy .

The Company of Animals CATCH Interactive Feeder

Courtesy of Amazon

Petstages Hunt N Snack Mat Slow Feeder Cat Bowl

Courtesy of Target

TRIXIE Activity Fun Board

Courtesy of Chewy

Catit Senses 2.0 Digger

Courtesy of Amazon

doc and phoebe cat co indoor hunting cat feeder kit

Courtesy of Chewy

Petstages Buggin’ Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy

Courtesy of Petco

Petstages Rainy Day Puzzle & Play by Nina Ottosson Cat Toy

Courtesy of PetSmart

nina ottosson outward hound treat puzzle

Courtesy of Amazon

Cat Amazing slider puzzle feeder box toy

Courtesy of Chewy