Just a couple of years ago few of us had heard of interactive cat feeders, but now pet stores seems to be awash with an amazing array of innovative feeders, usually marketing them as ‘interactive cat toys’.
As a Cat Behaviourist I’m a huge fan of these – not only do they provide natural stimulation for cats by encouraging them to forage for their food, but they can also slow down the food intake of cats who are prone to obesity. Here are some examples of shop-bought feeders:
However, you don’t have to spend a fortune on an expensive state-of-the-art feeder. With a little bit of imagination you can make your own as the following examples show!
About The Author
Clare Hemington is a Cat Behaviourist helping owners of cats that are displaying problem behaviours. For hint, tips and advice please visit Clare’s web site: Clare’s Cat Care
Clare is also author of the recently published ‘The Hairy Tails of a Cat Sitter‘.
Great ideas. ?
That last picture’s just too funny! 😀
Thank you, great ideas.
So brilliantly simple! Thank you very much Clare.
Reblogged this on Rosie Malezer and commented:
Who needs noisy mechanical cat feeders when, with a little imagination, you can make your own noiseless ones?
One of our cats, Salem, plays with her food before eating. She scoops some food out with her paw and then bats it all over the kitchen for a while before eating. Maybe she would like one of these!
I got a shoebox with toilet rolls (empty ones) inside for my FunTom who likes fumbling – he even managed to get the nip-bear out of that …
Great ideas, I use one cardboard tube with one of the ends folded over, but I’m definitely going to try attaching a few together to make a bigger one 🙂
Great ideas. My kids and I will have fun constructing these for our cats. I’m actually looking for an automatic/timed feeder and water fountain for my cats so I can leave them at home for a much longer day than I have so far. While your suggestions won’t fulfill that function, they might add to it. Thanks.
I got the feeder in the first picture for our girls. It took a couple of days until they understood how to gwt the food out – I had to show them how it works 😀
The last picture is hilarious!
Another way to make an inexpensive feeder is to use an empty plastic water bottle. Using an exacto knife, cut several holes in the bottle, large enough for kibble or treats to come out. Fill the bottle with treats or kibble, put the lid back on, and let your cats roll it around to get the food or treats out. Easy peasy. ~Island Cat Mom
Very interesting!
Will have to let my mom and dad know about these ideas. They are great.
Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
Very nice!
Great ideas to keep kitty happy.
Our family cats won’t use this kind of feeder, they just knocked it over to get the food out.
Brilliant I shall be trying this
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Thank you!!! 🙂
I could certainly use one for my cat. We had to put her on a diet the old fashioned way and let me tell you–she wasn’t happy about it one bit.
Love your feeders. They seem a lot less frustrating than the store-bought ones.
very interesting!
How cute.
Thanks for the follow, Marc-Andre.
Well done.Creativity helps menand animal.Thanks for following my blog.
sorry! must be man and animal.
Great ideas !!
Haha! I love it! I hope it’s OK to reblog it!
Reblogged this on Manx, Tabby and Tortie: my life with cats and commented:
Great ideas to make your cat work for its food! Reblog from Katzenworld.
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Thank you! 🙂
Awesome ideas and so simple to make.
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Reblogged this on ZodiacImmortal and commented:
ooh I might make one for Sully! and love that last picture
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