Hey folks,
I thought I'd ask you guys if anyone has ever tried using treat-dispensing toys to feed their cat/s?
Using similar products for dogs (i.e. kongs, buster cubes, etc) has started to gain popularity with dog owners, but I wasn't sure if it would be as feasable with cats... I certainly see the possible problems with multiple-cat homes.
I started using the "OurPet's play-n-treat" treat balls with my cat about 3 days ago (I have a friend that has been using them to feed her cat all of her dry food for about 4 months now). It seems to be working, in that the cat knows that there is food in them and he can get it out via playing with them... Although he will be "lazy" if given the oppertunity and if he can get someone to dump food in his bowl by begging, he would rather have that than have to get the food out of the balls... They hold about 1/8c. each, so I'm planning on using 2 before I leave for work, then another 2 in the evenings (along with wet food in the morning). I'm *hoping* that this will reduce the amount of begging, as he will eventually learn that begging won't get him any food and he can just get it for himself out of the balls.
It seems that he eats less and slower when he uses the treat balls, which I assume is a good thing... (correct me if I'm wrong). This may not be applicable with cats, but I know with people, you tend to overeat when you eat fast (and not give your stomach the time to tell your brain that you're full)...If that's the case, then it explains why he's eating less.
I just thought that I'd post and get your opinions / experiences with this sort of thing....I will keep you updated on how this "experiment" is going
Art
I thought I'd ask you guys if anyone has ever tried using treat-dispensing toys to feed their cat/s?
Using similar products for dogs (i.e. kongs, buster cubes, etc) has started to gain popularity with dog owners, but I wasn't sure if it would be as feasable with cats... I certainly see the possible problems with multiple-cat homes.
I started using the "OurPet's play-n-treat" treat balls with my cat about 3 days ago (I have a friend that has been using them to feed her cat all of her dry food for about 4 months now). It seems to be working, in that the cat knows that there is food in them and he can get it out via playing with them... Although he will be "lazy" if given the oppertunity and if he can get someone to dump food in his bowl by begging, he would rather have that than have to get the food out of the balls... They hold about 1/8c. each, so I'm planning on using 2 before I leave for work, then another 2 in the evenings (along with wet food in the morning). I'm *hoping* that this will reduce the amount of begging, as he will eventually learn that begging won't get him any food and he can just get it for himself out of the balls.
It seems that he eats less and slower when he uses the treat balls, which I assume is a good thing... (correct me if I'm wrong). This may not be applicable with cats, but I know with people, you tend to overeat when you eat fast (and not give your stomach the time to tell your brain that you're full)...If that's the case, then it explains why he's eating less.
I just thought that I'd post and get your opinions / experiences with this sort of thing....I will keep you updated on how this "experiment" is going
Art