Can you imagine eating the same meal the same way every day? You’d probably get bored by the second or third day. The same is true for our furry companions. While cats are independent by nature, they still rely on us to keep them engaged, entertained, and stimulated.
In this blog, we’re not talking about toys or DIY crafts to entertain your cat. Instead, we’ll share ideas to make mealtime more interactive and mentally stimulating.
Why Interactive Feeding?
Before domestication, cats hunted for their food. The planning, stalking, and chasing involved in a hunt were not just entertaining but also kept their minds sharp and their bodies healthy. While modern cats might occasionally chase a toy or your fingers under a blanket, mealtime can often be repetitive and uninspiring. Feeding them from a shallow bowl or automatic feeder every day isn’t as stimulating as their ancestral hunting experience.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your cat’s mealtime more exciting, here are three ideas to engage their body and mind:
1. Puzzles
Food puzzles are a fantastic way to challenge your cat mentally while slowing down fast eaters. These puzzles hide food or treats in compartments that your cat must figure out how to access.
How to Get Started:
- Start with beginner-level puzzles like those by Nina Ottosson (available at local pet stores or online).
- Replace your cat’s food bowl with a puzzle for one meal. Spread their portion evenly in the compartments and cover them.
- Supervise your cat while they play, especially if they’re new to puzzles. Show them how to open one compartment to encourage them to try the rest.
- Gradually introduce more challenging puzzles as your cat gets the hang of it.
DIY Puzzle Ideas:
- Use an empty egg carton or a muffin tin and place food in the slots.
- Take a clean, empty plastic water bottle (remove the cap, ring, and label), cut a small hole, and fill it with treats or dry food.
- Fold the ends of an empty paper towel roll, cut a few small holes in the middle, and fill it with food or treats.
Safety Tips:
- Clean puzzles with warm water and a cloth after each use to prevent bacteria buildup. Avoid chemical cleaners, as residue can harm your cat.
- Check puzzles for loose parts or sharp edges before use.
- Supervise your cat at all times when working with store-bought or DIY puzzles.
2. Snuffle Mats
Snuffle mats, often used for dogs, are equally beneficial for cats. These mats allow you to hide food or treats in their folds, encouraging cats to use their noses and paws to find the hidden goodies.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a small, simple snuffle mat to introduce to your cat.
- Hide dry food or treats within the mat, ensuring some are easier to access at first.
- Encourage your cat to sniff, search, and dig for the food.
DIY Snuffle Mat:
- Use a clean towel, twist it to create wrinkles, and hide food or treats in the folds.
3. Lick Mats
Lick mats are ideal for serving wet, gently cooked, or raw food. They encourage slow eating and are great for cats that tend to gobble up their meals.
How to Get Started:
- Spread a small portion of your cat’s favorite wet food on the mat using the back of a spoon.
- For added appeal, sprinkle a few pieces of treats or drizzle bone broth over the food.
- Serve and let your cat lick the food off the mat, keeping them engaged and slowing down their eating pace.
Pro Tip:
Use lick mats to introduce creamy treats, wet food, or broths. We use Go! Solutions pâté and Go! Boosters for added variety and hydration. Cats naturally drink less water, so incorporating high-moisture foods into their diet is essential for hydration and overall health.
Safety Tip: Don’t leave the lick matt with food on it for more than 30 minutes. Dispose of any remaining food, then thoroughly wash the lick matt with soap, a sponge, or a brush, and let it dry before the next use.
Final Thoughts
Interactive feeding tools like puzzles, snuffle mats, and lick mats can add excitement to your cat’s mealtime while promoting mental stimulation, hydration, and slower eating. Incorporate these ideas into their routine occasionally to keep things fresh and fun.
We used Go! Solutions dry and wet food in our photos for these activities. Their products provide a balance of quality ingredients and nutrition to keep your feline friend healthy and happy. (Even better, their products are formulated by animal nutritionists to meet your pet’s unique dietary needs and are made in Canada!)
How do you make mealtime exciting for your cat? Share your ideas in the comments!
