as much as we love to spoil our dogs and cats with toys, treats, and even fancy rain gear, the easy life of a domesticated pet can have its downfalls — especially when it comes to meals. mikel delgado, a cat-behavior expert with rover, is a fan, as well as naser, who says, “the tall spikes will add to the challenge — mentally and physically — as your kitty tries to push the pieces through to earn her dinner.” recommended …

one of the best ways to get cats thinking at meal time is with food puzzles, and a great thing about cat food puzzle toys is that they’re fairly easy to make yourself if you don’t want to spend the money on a new toy. the video above might make this puzzle seem more complicated than it is, but basically it calls for you to take a simple plastic container, cut paw-sized holes in the lid, and add a bell …

are you looking to get your cat more active? in fact, according to the uc davis school of veterinary medicine, “self-play toys are especially good for cats who are left home alone while people are away.” before you go out and buy a food-dispensing cat toy, however, consider the following. look for one that can withstand you cat’s repeated punishment, and if the rough play becomes so intense that your cat is at risk of injury, take the toy away. …

even though you can add different dry treats to the ball to reward your kitty’s efforts, if you have a cat that scarfs their meals and throws up after, petsafe slimcat can be used for meal time. this way, your bengal cat will have to work for the hidden yummies! this automatic cat treat dispenser will allow your bengal to fish out and “steal” their food from various side openings, making meal time a fun and a challenging game.

interactive cat toys can help indoor cats stay fit and relieve boredom. there are also fun catnip and noisemaking interactive cat toys. for a fun mental workout, puzzle toys or cat treat dispensing toys can help sharpen your cat’s cognitive abilities and keep her alert. interactive cat toys are truly rewarding for both you and your pet because they help focus her energy and instinctual behaviors into playful exercise. shop cat toys online now on chewy’s online cat shop, and …