Using Puzzle Feeders for Good Health
It's trivia night!! A lot of people respond with enthusiasm for trivia night. It's fun, you get to figure stuff out and you might even win a prize. How about trivia night for cats? Your cat will love it, it will help your cat maintain a healthy weight and will allow the cat to feel intellectually dominant over the dog.
What is cat trivia? It is the use of puzzle feeders. Before we discuss puzzle feeders let's look at how cats are usually fed.
The method of feeding cats most of us use is to dump some kibble in a bowl a couple of times a day. The alternative is to have a dispensing feeder that refills the dish as the kibble is eaten.
There are several problems with these methods. Some cats bolt their food down when they are fed and that can lead to regurgitation. Other, bored indoor cats with a dispensing feeder can find that eating is the only activity worth their time and this leads to obesity and all the health problems that goes with overeating.
There are so many health issues associated with obesity. Diabetes is directly linked to food over consumption. Heart disease, lameness and osteoarthritis are all linked to weight gain as well. These problems very likely mean a shortened lifespan for your cat.
Putting your cat on a diet can be problematic for some owners. The cat can beg and meow for food relentlessly. The puzzle feeder solves the problem of the begging cat.
A puzzle feeder presents a problem to the cat that the cat must solve to get the kibble. Some feeders need to be batted around for the kibble to come out. Others require the cat to use a paw to scoop the kibble out. Many are designed to be hidden around the house, the cat must hunt for them to find their food.
Puzzle feeders have been shown to reduce the incidences of obesity and they allow a house cat to engage in the natural activity of hunting for food. Cats that can engage in natural behaviors show fewer behaviors that owners don't want.
If you are feeding wet food, there are lick mats that can slow the cat's eating and provide them with diversion while they are eating.
Another great thing about puzzle feeders is that you can make them yourself. There are many types that are available for purchase but it is a simple craft project to make them yourself.
Talk with us about puzzle feeders and how to introduce your cat to them. You and your cat will be very happy that you did.