What’s a Puzzle Feeder?

A puzzle feeder is simply a food-dispensing toy. The cat figures out what movement of the toy is required to get a food reward and a game is born. You cat doesn’t technically “need” a puzzle feeder but for many cats, it can be a very effective tool for adding mental stimulation into daily life. When you think about it, your cat is a hunter and the natural way she would get her meals would be to hunt them down. In the wild there are no stainless bowls filled with mice or serving trays holding beautifully prepared birds and chipmunks. For the hunter to get her meal she must first stalk it, pounce and then capture her prize. For the hunter, a successful meal requires mental and physical stimulation. Many of us want our cats to stay indoors for safety reasons but then we don’t supply enough environmental enrichment to keep the cats mentally stimulated and physically fit. Using a puzzle feeder is just one aspect of an all-around enhancement of your cat’s day-to-day life.

Stimulo puzzle feeder

What are the Benefits?

Even the most basic food-dispensing toy may be a valuable tool when it comes to a variety of behavior and health issues. A puzzle feeder can:

• Encourage a cat to eat slowly
• Incorporate some reward-based solo playtime into your cat’s day
• Ease boredom
• Redirect a cat from engaging in destructive behavior
• Provide a little added exercise
• Encourage a cat to think and stay mentally stimulated
• Healthier option to free-feeding
• Aid in weight control
• May help with cats who are prone to vomiting (from eating too quickly)

Which Puzzle Feeder Should My Cat Use?

There are many commercially available puzzle feeders available at your local pet product store as well as online. They vary from basic to more complex. The type to use will depend on how quickly your cat gets the concept. Some cats immediately take to the puzzle solving idea and can work the food-dispensing toys quite successfully in a short amount of time. My cat, Pearl, has been able to master whatever puzzle feeder I present to her. She seems to truly enjoy the game. Other cats though, may need to start with the most basic concept of a container with a large enough hole where food falls out easily. The point isn’t to frustrate your cat but rather, to tap into her natural hunting and problem-solving skills.

Can I make a Puzzle Feeder?

Homemade puzzle feeders are often the most entertaining and rewarding for both the cat and the cat parent. Before you go out and buy a puzzle feeder, start by making a simple one at home. One method is to make a water bottle feeder. Take an empty water bottle and cut holes in it that are bigger than the size of the kibble. To start your cat off, make lots of holes in the bottle so your kitty will have immediate success just by touching the bottle. Once you’ve cut the holes in the bottle, put some dry food or treats in there and then place it on its side on the floor. Another option is to make a cardboard feeder using the tubular insert in the paper towel roll. Cut holes along the cardboard tube, fold in one end, put some dry food in there and then fold the other end closed.

Even simple yogurt containers can become puzzle feeders as long as they have a lid that snaps back on. Cut a couple of holes in the container and you have an instant puzzle feeder.  NOTE: Only make plastic and cardboard puzzle feeders if your cat doesn’t tend to chew on plastic or cardboard. If she does, you’re better off using a commercial puzzle feeder right from the beginning. When you do give your cat the homemade puzzle feeder for the first time make sure you supervise so you can be sure she won’t chew it. Also, use sandpaper to soften any sharp plastic edges around the dispensing holes to ensure that the experience will be pleasant for your cat.

Another homemade puzzle feeder can be made by cutting holes in a small cardboard box. Make the holes larger than the size of your cat’s paws so she can easily reach in for the food prize.

What About More Complex Homemade Puzzle Feeders?

Collect the paper towel or bathroom tissue cardboard tubes and then tape them together in a pyramid style. If using paper towel tubes you’ll have to cut them in half. Attach the pyramid to a flat piece of cardboard and you have a honeycomb-style puzzle feeder where you can place treats in many different compartments. Use your imagination when it comes to creating puzzle feeders. Just keep in mind that you want the experience to be rewarding and not frustrating.

Another way to make the puzzles more challenging is to cut smaller holes in the water bottle, yogurt container or tubular cardboard feeders. Just make sure they’re always larger than the size of the kibble or treat.

Can I Use Wet Food With Puzzle Feeders?

A simple wet food feeder is easy to make using a muffin tin. Just place a little drop of food in each compartment so the cat has to walk around a little to discover each reward. Even just dividing up the wet food into various dishes and placing them around the cat’s play area will create a game of reward-based hide-and-seek for her.

Some commercial puzzle feeders can be used with wet food as well. I stuff a little wet food inside of a dog KONG toy for my cat. I use the small size so it’s easy enough for her to hold and access the food inside.

Where Can I Buy Puzzle Feeders?

Cat-Treat-Maze from Nina Ottosson

Go on your favorite search engine and type in “puzzle feeders for cats” and you’ll find lots of companies that make them as well as many videos with more how-to information. Not every commercial puzzle feeder is good though so take into consideration your cat’s age, personality and health when choosing which product would be best. Many of the companies have videos on their sites so you can watch a tutorial on how the product works and whether it’s a good match for your cat.

Where Can I find More Information on Feeding My Cat?

If you have questions about what food is best for your cat and how much to feed, the place to start is at your veterinary clinic. Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you on the nutritional plan for your individual cat. You can also find information about mealtime behavior in the book Think Like a Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett.

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Pam Johnson-Bennett is the star of Psycho Kitty airing on Discovery UK. She is author of seven best-selling books on cat behavior including Think Like a Cat: how to raise a well-adjusted cat – not a sour puss. Think Like a Cat has become known as the cat bible. Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting. In addition to her television series and public speaking engagements, Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, a private veterinarian-referred behavior company in Nashville, TN. Cat Behavior Associates offers private cat behavior appointments on a limited basis. Pam Johnson-Bennett is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

When it comes to medicating your own domestic cat, consider the benefits of operant conditioning and how it can reduce stress.

WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports

Join Pam Johnson-Bennett on September 7, 2013 for Georgia SPCA’s 4th annual benefit bash “There’s No Place Like Home.” The gala takes place at the Gwinnett Center Ballroom in Duluth, GA from 7pm-11pm. Tickets are $50. Georgia SPCA is hoping this event will help many animals find their yellow brick road to their forever homes. It’ll be a great night with wonderful food, dancing and a silent auction.  For more information or to purchase your tickets visit the Georgia SPCA’s benefit bash website.

Pam will be lecturing on cat behavior and doing a book-signing at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh, PA on June 15th from 2:00-3:00pm. This special event is not to be missed. It’s your opportunity to learn about cat behavior from the star of the upcoming Discovery Channel UK Channel’s series “Psycho Kitty” and best-selling author. Lunch and an autographed copy of Think Like a Cat is included in the Premium Ticket purchase price.

Premium Ticket: $65 (includes lunch with Pam Johnson-Bennett at 12:30 pm, an autographed copy of Think Like a Cat and reserved seating at lecture)

General Admission Ticket: $25 (lecture only, seating first-come, first-serve basis)
Senior (65+) and Student Ticket: $20 (lecture only, seating first-come, first-serve basis).  Senior/Student ID to be shown at door.

Register online here for event

It’s an Ineffective Tool

The squirt bottle deterrent, in many cat households, has become the popular method for keeping cats off counters and tables. It is also the way many people attempt to stop their cats from scratching the furniture. The squirt bottle is used to stop a cat who is getting too aggressive, either with another companion animal or with a human family member. The squirt bottle has become the tool many cat parents reach for immediately when kitty isn’t acting the way we want her to act.

You’d think that based on the popularity of the squirt bottle technique, it must be an extremely effective and successful method of training cats. The truth is though, it’s not effective at training a cat to cease engaging in unwanted behaviors. The squirt bottle technique only accomplishes three things:

1. It creates frustration in the cat
2. It causes the cat to become afraid of you
3. The cat learns to wait until you aren’t around before engaging in the behavior

Punishment Doesn’t Work

When you punish a cat for exhibiting a behavior you don’t like, it doesn’t stop the behavior. First, it’s important to understand that regardless of how unwanted the behavior is, it serves a purpose for the cat. Your cat isn’t scratching on the sofa or jumping on the counter just to make you mad. Animals engage in behaviors that serve a function (i.e. a pay-off). Additionally, many of the behaviors that cat parents view as unwanted, such as furniture scratching, are normal, natural behaviors. When you squirt the cat with water for scratching the furniture you may momentarily stop the behavior but the cat has a normal and natural need to scratch. If he gets punished every time he attempts to engage in a normal behavior, he will probably become afraid of you and he’ll also continue the behavior in secret. That’s a very stressful combination.

So instead of trying to train a cat by punishing him for engaging in normal behaviors, here’s a better idea…

Think Like a Cat

Figure out why the cat exhibits a particular behavior so you can provide a better option. If your cat is scratching the furniture then it probably means you either don’t have a scratching post or it’s the wrong kind. If your cat is getting aggressive with another companion animal, then it’s time to do some behavior modification work to help them develop a positive association with each other. Squirting the cat with water when he’s reacting to another cat will do nothing to help them ever form a peaceful relationship.

When training your cat, one of the most important tools is trust. Your cat needs to be able to trust you in order to form that important bond. The last thing you want is for your cat to run from you out of fear. So it’s time to put that squirt bottle away and use a more humane and productive training method. Think like a cat and look at your environment from your cat’s point of view and you’ll be surprised at how much more effective your training techniques will become.

Need More Information?

For more specifics on effective, humane training techniques, refer to any of Pam’s books, including Think Like a Cat.

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Pam Johnson-Bennett is the star of Psycho Kitty airing on Discovery UK. She is author of seven best-selling books on cat behavior including Think Like a Cat: how to raise a well-adjusted cat – not a sour puss. Think Like a Cat has become known as the cat bible. Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting. In addition to her television series and public speaking engagements, Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, a private veterinarian-referred behavior company in Nashville, TN. Cat Behavior Associates offers private cat behavior appointments on a limited basis. Pam Johnson-Bennett is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

We’re thrilled to announce the winner of the “My Cat’s Story” video contest. It was a tough decision because the judges had some wonderful submissions. It was so heartwarming to see the relationships the entrants had with their cats and how lives have changed with love.

The judges, Pam Johnson-Bennett, Marilyn Krieger and Steve Dale, all certified cat behavior consultants, felt the winner best showcased the relationship she has with her cat and the change in the cat’s behavior. The judges also wanted to highlight the two runners-up because they also did an awesome job of presenting their cats’ stories.

The winner will receive a $150 pre-paid VISA gift card, an autographed copy of THINK LIKE A CATby Pam Johnson-Bennett, an autographed copy of NAUGHTY NO MORE by Marilyn Krieger, and the e-book GOOD CAT by Steve Dale. Additionally, the winner will appear in the TICA Trend magazine and also be featured in Bengals Illustrated.

We hope you enjoy these videos.

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter the contest.

The “My Cat’s Story” Winner is Lana Lingan and her cat, Handsome. Congratulations, Lana!

Judges’ Comments: We liked the story about Lana and Handsome because it clearly showed how Lana was able to transform a scared cat who was abandoned into a sweet, affectionate cat. Lana let the cat progress at his own pace, never forcing him, always encouraging him. We loved seeing the bonds that the two share. Clearly they enhance each others lives.

We had two runners-up who also shared their wonderful stories of how love, patience and understanding were rewarded with a strengthened bond with their cats and positive changes in behavior. Congratulations to both runners-up. We hope you enjoy their stories.

Runner-up Andrea Dorn and her cat, Mewdy Blue. Congratulations, Andrea.

Judges’ Comments: We like this video because not only did it showcase how an outdoor-loving cat can be transitioned to a fulfilled and enriched indoor life, it also shows how cats are very trainable. It was also heartwarming to see the strong bond Andrea and Mewdy Blue clearly have.

Runner-up Jason Girouard and his cat, Millie. Congratulations, Jason!

Judges’ Comments: We were impressed with the dedication and patience that Jason and his family showed toward saving and socializing this young kitten who grew into a very loved member of the family.

1. Freshness

Refill the bowl with fresh water on a daily basis. Cats are very sensitive to taste and if the water stands too long it will start to taste stale. Food and dirt particles can accumulate in the water which can affect taste and also create opportunities for bacteria to build up. If your cat dips his paw in the water she is also contributing to the build-up of bacteria because that paw contains dirt, dust and debris from having been in the litter box.

2. A Clean Bowl

Don’t just refill the water each day without washing the bowl itself. Hair, dirt, saliva and food can stick to the sides. Wash the bowl with mild dish soap and then thoroughly rinse all traces of soap from the bowl before refilling it with fresh water. Traces of dish soap can burn the cat’s tongue and will also give the water an unpleasant taste.

3. Bowl Size and Shape

The bowl you’ve chosen as kitty’s water bowl may actually be working against you. Choose a bowl that is truly cat-friendly. Your cat has long whiskers on each side of her muzzle and those whiskers are very sensitive. She doesn’t want to have to squish them in order to reach the water in the bowl. If you’ve noticed that your cat tends to dunk her paw in the water and then lick it, the reason may be that she doesn’t want to have squished whiskers. Choose a bowl that is not narrow and deep. Cats tend to prefer more shallow water (and food) bowls. Just make sure the shallow water bowl stays filled.

4. Location

Many cat parents use divided bowls so they can put food on one side and water on the other. Although this may seem as if you’re doing something very convenient for the cat, it’s actually not beneficial. Many cats prefer not to drink water where there is the scent of food. In-between meals, your cat may prefer to be able to drink in a neutral area, away from traces of food. Additionally, with the divided dishes, food particles may fall into the water making it less appealing and allowing for the growth of bacteria.

Even if you don’t use a divided bowl don’t place the water too close to the food bowl. Choose a completely separate location in the room. In our house we have several water bowls around the house to make it very convenient for the cat.

5. Water Level

Stay consistent with maintaining the water level. Don’t let it go down to the last few drops and also, don’t fill it one day to the brim and then only mid-way the next day. Stay consistent. Some cats begin paw dipping because they aren’t sure where the top of the water is on any given day. Cats like consistency in their daily routine.

6. Make it Fun

If your cat likes to drink from the faucet or play with the water in his bowl, consider getting a pet water fountain. It’s a great way to encourage your cat to drink more water, it creates some extra playtime and the constant movement of the water keeps is more oxygenated.

Even if you don’t get a fountain you can create a little water fun by periodically dropping an ice cube in the water bowl, especially on very hot summer days.

Need More Information?

For more specifics on how to make mealtime more appealing, refer to the book Think Like a Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett.

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Pam Johnson-Bennett is the star of Psycho Kitty airing on Discovery UK. She is author of seven best-selling books on cat behavior including Think Like a Cat: how to raise a well-adjusted cat – not a sour puss. Think Like a Cat has become known as the cat bible. Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting. In addition to her television series and public speaking engagements, Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, a private veterinarian-referred behavior company in Nashville, TN. Cat Behavior Associates offers private cat behavior appointments on a limited basis. Pam Johnson-Bennett is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

Your Cat is an Individual

Every cat is an individual so you may have to experiment a bit when it comes to toy preference. The type of toys your cat enjoyed in her youth, for example, may not be as appealing if she’s now less mobile and has stiff joints. Some cats, no matter their age, have strong toy preferences and others don’t care at all as long as the toy is in motion and they have the chance to hunt.

Respect Toy Preferences

There are so many cat toys to choose from in the categories of both solo play toys and interactive toys. When shopping, keep your cat’s size, athletic ability, personality and texture preferences in mind. A small, timid cat, for example, may not want to play with a large kitty kick-bag toy because it may resemble more of an opponent than prey. Your cat may have a texture preference and might prefer a soft toy that she can sink her teeth into over a hard plastic toy.

Pay Attention to Your Cat’s Senses

Sound also plays a part in whether your cat will enjoy or ignore the toy. A toy that contains a bell inside may detract from its appeal if you have a multicat home where one or more cats wear bells on their collars. A toy that makes a rustling sound may be very appealing as it resembles the sound of a chipmunk or mouse darting through the leaves. Some cats like toys that have feathers and others might prefer fur-covered ones.

Toy Testing

If you have a cat who isn’t responding to playtime, the first thing to do is to make sure you’re using the right technique when you engage in interactive play with her. Next, set up her solo toys so they pique her interest as she wanders through the house (i.e. don’t leave them heaped in a toy basket), and of course, make sure you’ve provided toys that are appealing. You may have to invest a little time and money into doing a toy preference test by trying out different types of toys on your cat. It’ll be worth the investment though because playtime is very valuable to your cat’s mental, physical and emotional health.

Don’t Give Up

I come across many people who simply give up and claim that their cats just don’t play. Every cat plays! You just have to figure out what’s stopping your kitty. It may be there’s too much tension in your multicat home… maybe she hasn’t played in so long that her skills need a little practice… or maybe you just haven’t gotten the type of toys she prefers. Just as some cats have definite preferences when it comes to the size and shape of the kibble they eat or the texture of the litter they like, they can have toy preferences as well. Time to go shopping.

Need More Information?

For more specifics on the right techniques to use when engaging in interactive play and how to improve environmental enrichment through the use of solo toys, check out the book Think Like a Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett.

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Pam Johnson-Bennett is the star of Psycho Kitty airing on Discovery UK. She is author of seven best-selling books on cat behavior including Think Like a Cat: how to raise a well-adjusted cat – not a sour puss. Think Like a Cat has become known as the cat bible. Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting. In addition to her television series and public speaking engagements, Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, a private veterinarian-referred behavior company in Nashville, TN. Cat Behavior Associates offers private cat behavior appointments on a limited basis. Pam Johnson-Bennett is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant.

1. Be Sure Everyone in the Family is Ready for the Responsibility

Everyone in the family needs to be on the same page in terms of actually even wanting a cat. If responsibilities and specific cat-related duties are going to be assigned to certain family members, make sure they are in agreement and will comply. Don’t give a young child the duty of feeding the cat, for example. Make sure assigned duties are age-appropriate.

 2. Make a Good Match

Don’t be impulsive when it comes to choosing the cat because you may get in over your head. If you want to adopt a fearful cat who will require lots of TLC due to his history but you have family members at home who want the perfect lap cat, it will disappoint everyone and make things harder for the cat. Sit down with your family and make sure you are all in agreement on what to expect.

3. Get Your Supplies

Do your homework and get the supplies needed for when you bring your cat home, such as:

• An uncovered litter box
• A litter scoop and a receptacle to place soiled litter
• Litter substrate (initially start with the litter the cat is currently used to)
• Food and water bowls (get separate bowls and not the double-dish kind)
• Food (start with the food he’s used to for now unless your veterinarian tells you otherwise)
• A few hideways (these can be open paper bags, A-frame beds, donut beds, open boxes)
• A scratching post (a sturdy sisal-covered post)
• Interactive toys (fishing pole design toys for supervised playtime that you’ll do with him)
• Solo toys (the toys you can safely leave out for his solo playtime)
• Brushes (the type will depend on the cat’s coat)
• Nail trimmers (the kind meant for cat nails. Don’t use human nail trimmers)
• A sturdy cat carrier (make sure it’s the right size for your cat – not too big and not too small)
• Identification tag (you may also decide later to have your cat microchipped as well)

4. Kitty-Proof the House

Go through your home carefully and look at it from a curious kitty’s point of view.

• Secure wires to baseboards
• Use cord containment devices for computer cords
• Don’t keep small items out such as earrings, pins or other objects that can be swallowed
• Make sure windows have secure screens
• Keep indoor trash cans in a cabinet or use cans with secure lids
• Don’t keep cleaning products or household chemicals out
• Keep medicine put away
• Keep toxic houseplants out of reach
• Get in the habit of putting leftover food away

5. Make a Visit to the Veterinarian

Choose a veterinarian before you get your cat. Ask for referrals and then make a personal visit to several clinics so you can tour the facilities and meet the doctor(s). Make an appointment to have your cat examined. Based on where the cat came from and his age, you’ll need to have him tested for specific diseases and start a vaccination schedule. Your veterinarian is also a good resource for answering first-time cat parent questions.

6. Set Up a Sanctuary Room

Before you bring your new cat home, have a safe room set up for him. Cats are territorial creatures of habit and it can be quite overwhelming for a kitty to suddenly find himself in unfamiliar surroundings. Set up a room that has his litter box on one side of the room and his food/water bowls on the other side. Place some hideaways in the room such as an A-frame bed, open paper bags, kitty tunnels, etc., so he won’t just hunker down under the bed or cower in a closet. Place his scratching post in there as well as some safe toys for solo play. This way, he can get his bearings and gradually familiarize himself with the scents of your home and start the process of getting to know you and your family. Have this room all set up before you bring the cat home to avoid creating lots of chaos when he arrives.

 7.Learn About Cats

This is a big commitment you’re about to make. Start the relationship off right by learning about what cats need, as well as how they communicate. Many of the behavior problems I see come through our office are related to cat parents misunderstanding what their cats are communicating by particular behaviors. Take the time now to learn about how to train a cat so you can hopefully avoid future behavior problems. Cats are not dogs and they aren’t little fur-covered children. Cats need to be able to act like the beautiful, intelligent and sensitive creatures that they are. A solid training plan can make a huge difference when it comes to having your new cat happily integrate into your family.

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Pam Johnson-Bennett is the star of Psycho Kitty airing on Discovery UK. She is author of seven best-selling books on cat behavior including Think Like a Cat: how to raise a well-adjusted cat – not a sour puss. Think Like a Cat has become known as the cat bible. Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting. In addition to her television series and public speaking engagements, Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, a private veterinarian-referred behavior company in Nashville, TN. Cat Behavior Associates offers private cat behavior appointments on a limited basis. Pam Johnson-Bennett is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant.