Glossary

Puzzle feeder

A toy or tray that makes a cat work to get its food, adding exercise and mental effort to mealtimes.

Also called: food puzzle, foraging toy, treat ball, slow feeder

A puzzle feeder is any container or toy that holds food or treats and releases them as the cat paws, rolls, nudges or noses it. Examples are treat balls, hole-studded boards, ice-cube-tray foragers and cardboard boxes with holes cut in them. Some owners simply hide small portions around the home.

Wild cats hunt for each meal, many times a day. A bowl asks for no effort, so food puzzles bring back a little of that. They slow fast eaters, burn some calories, relieve boredom and give indoor cats something to do while you are out, see enrichment.

Start with the easiest setup, such as a bowl with a few treats and a loose lid, and make it harder as the cat learns. Many cats will not bother with a feeder until they see it work, so show them. Use part of the daily ration instead of adding extra food, or weight gain follows. Wash feeders often, and drop any that frustrates the cat. If your cat does not eat as normal, loses weight or vomits after meals, speak to your vet.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Enrichment Giving a cat chances to carry out natural behaviours such as climbing, hunting, scratching, hiding and exploring, so it stays well and busy. Predatory sequence The chain of behaviours cats use to hunt: watch, stalk, chase, pounce, kill-bite and eat, which good play should echo. Free feeding Leaving food out all day so a cat can eat when it likes, which suits some cats but often leads to overeating. Meal feeding Feeding a cat measured portions at set times each day instead of leaving food out, which helps control weight and spot appetite changes.

Related guides

Keeping an indoor cat busy and happy Practical ways to give an indoor cat play, climbing, hunting, scent and quiet places, so it stays active, relaxed and at a healthy weight. How often to feed a cat How many meals a day suit kittens, adults and seniors, when free feeding works, and how to spot overfeeding or underfeeding. Leaving your cat while you are away How to choose between a sitter, a cattery and a short solo stay, how to set up the home, and what a sitter needs to know.