DIY toy guide
Muffin-Tin Puzzle Feeder
A five-minute foraging puzzle from a muffin tin and tennis balls
A muffin tin plus a few light balls makes an instant slow-feeder puzzle that turns mealtime into a rewarding foraging game.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 5 min
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- A metal or silicone muffin tin
- A few lightweight balls (ping-pong balls or cat toys) that fit the cups
- Your cat's usual kibble or a few treats
🔧 How to make it
- Drop a little kibble or a few treats into each cup of the muffin tin.
- Place a ball on top of each cup to partly cover the food.
- Set the tin on the floor and let your cat nudge and paw the balls aside to reach the reward.
- Start with only some cups covered so your cat learns the game, then cover more as they get the idea.
💡 Tips
- Rotate which cups hold food so your cat has to search rather than memorise.
- For fast eaters, use the tin at every meal to naturally slow their pace.
Safety: Choose balls too large to be swallowed and supervise the first few sessions. Wash the tin regularly, especially when used with wet food or treats.
📝 Notes
Puzzle feeders tap into a cat's natural drive to work for food and can ease boredom, overeating and mealtime begging.