Spinning bottle treat dispenser for cats: how to play
Turn a plastic drinks bottle into a puzzle feeder: kibble goes in, your cat bats the bottle, and a biscuit drops out.
- Time
- 2 min
- Energy
- Medium
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- clean empty plastic drinks bottle
- scissors or craft knife
- dry kibble or biscuits
Set up
Rinse and dry an empty plastic drinks bottle. A grown-up cuts two or three biscuit-sized holes in the side. Check that a piece of kibble passes through a hole, then put a handful of dry kibble inside and screw the cap on. Stay in the room for the whole session.
How to play
A grown-up cuts two or three holes in the side of the bottle, each one biscuit-sized so a piece of kibble can pass through. Test one hole with a single biscuit before you go on.
Put dry kibble inside the bottle and screw the cap on tight.
Set the bottle down and let your cat work it out. Batting the bottle releases a biscuit, and your cat learns the link.
Stay in the room and watch closely. If your cat tries to ingest a piece of plastic, take it out of their mouth straight away.
Play for a minute or two, then pick the bottle up and put it away. Swap toys around so the bottle stays interesting.
House rules
- A grown-up cuts the holes.
- Keep the holes biscuit-sized so kibble can pass through.
- Stay in the room the whole time the bottle is down and watch closely.
- Check the bottle for signs of wear before each session and replace it when needed.
- Put the bottle away after each short session so it stays interesting.
- Make it easier
- Feed part of your cat's dinner through the bottle, so mealtime itself becomes the challenge. Offer it when your cat is a little hungry rather than straight after a meal.
- Make it harder
- Use the bottle at more mealtimes and rotate it with other puzzle feeders so dinner stays a challenge.
Signs it's having fun
Stalking, pouncing, chasing and batting the bottle with a paw, then taking their time over the biscuits.
Stop if you see
Your cat starts chewing the bottle instead of batting it, or walks away and loses interest. Take the bottle away and try again another day.
Safety
Safety- Always supervise closely while a DIY item is out.
- If your cat tries to ingest a piece of plastic, take it out of their mouth straight away.
- Check the bottle for signs of wear and replace it when needed.
- Keep sessions short and put the bottle away afterwards.
Sources
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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