Food puzzles are any toy or object that contain food and require the pet to find a way to the food out. There are many brands and types of food puzzles to choose from. Food puzzles slow feeding. Pets who eat slower tend to eat less, thus decreasing obesity. More than half the pets in America are considered obese. Cats who feed more slowly also tend to have less hairballs and vomiting. Pets are also more physically and mentally engaged while trying to figure out the puzzle. Behaviorists agree that mental stimulation is key to a better quality of life. Some behaviorists will also argue that it is very unnatural for pets to eat from a bowl.
Food puzzles are not for all pets. Pets who are thin, poor eaters, or sick do not have the motivation to “work” for their food. Some pets may need to have a little more training to figure out their puzzle. Samson had trouble understanding the lever concept. Bombay didn’t care and enjoyed chasing the kibble he pulled out of the tiny fish bowls. Scarlet had more difficulty adjusting to the idea of “working” for her food. She missed her bowl and didn’t eat for 24 hours. She has since caught on and has been eating less. We fill her puzzle in the morning with the amount we had previously filled her bowl. She is no longer finishing all her food. In the past she finished her entire bowl in less than 2 minutes.
Give the puzzles a try, your pets may surprise you with their level of enjoyment.
