Keeping Your Raw Fed Cat Busy
When cats are bored, they try to find their own fun. This can lead to attention getting behaviors, destructive behaviors such as scratching and counter surfing, or various other ways that they may attempt to relieve their boredom or stress. There are different ways to combat feline boredom. The cat’s undesirable behaviors can help you choose which type enrichment they need. Many of the enrichment products and techniques are catered towards kibble fed cats, so I will be giving tips for how to swap out processed foods and treats for more natural options.
PUZZLE TOYS
There are tons of different options on the market that require different skill levels. These toys encourage the cat to use their brains and noses to figure out where the treats are hidden. They are great for cats who are “looking for trouble.” The cats who slink into a room and get into food items, get on the table/counter, or pace around meowing.
For the puzzles that have treat wells. I fill the wells with one of the options below. You can also use the treats in the training section below in the puzzles as well.
Raw goat milk (Answers is our favorite!)
Organ purees
Freeze-dried meats (rehydrated)
Raw egg
Kefir (Answers is our favorite!)
Bone broth
Raw grind
Puzzle Toys:
Nina Ottosson Brick (this is one of my favorites, I use the older cream/brown style)
Nina Ottosson Tornado (fairly easy to figure out, can put a variety of different foods in)
KONG Cat Zoom Groom (yes, it’s a brush but I put raw fillings on the side with the bristles and it causes them to slow their feeding down)
TREAT DISPENSING TOYS
These toys involve the cat interacting with them in a way that causes the toy to dispense treats. Some need to be pushed around, while others wobble back and forth. These may seem to be specifically designed for kibble, but there are a couple great alternatives.
Vital Essentials Bites (they come in a bunch of different proteins)
Grizzly Super Treats Oven Baked Crunchy Training Treats (Oven baked, but good quality)
Vital Essentials Minnows (a FAVORITE at my house)
Treat Dispensing Toys
Doc & Phoebe’s No Bowl (we LOVE these! Encourages play and interactive feeding)
Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom Meal Dispensing Toy
Catit Treat Ball (one of Peach’s favorites!)
Ethical Pets Spot Seek-a-Treat Flip 'N Slide
KONG Cat Wobbler (toy and interactive feeder)
Northmate Interactive Feeder (challenging, but fun!)
PetSafe Funkitty Twist N Treat Teaser
Trixie Activity Fun Board 5-in-1 (lots of activities!)
Trixie Mad Scientist Turn Around
HOLLOW TOYS
These toys, such as a Kong, give the cat something to chew while they try to figure out how to get the treats out. As with the other options, I recommend freezing for added enrichment.
Kefir
Raw grind
Freeze-dried meat (rehydrated)
Green tripe
Sardines (in water, without salt)
Raw egg
Organ puree
Toys:
Kitty KONG (great for soft foods!)
CHEWS AND BONES
These are great for cats who chew things that they are not supposed to. By giving them the chews below, they are able to exercise their jaws on something appropriate. I keep these items frozen as well so it takes them longer. All bones and necks need to be fed raw, as cooked bones splinter, which can injure your cat.
Chicken or duck necks
Dehydrated Bully sticks
Dehydrated Capelin fish
Chicken jerky
Dehydrated Chicken/duck feet
Dehydrated poultry hearts
TRAINING
Just 10-15 minutes of training can help to decrease boredom and tire your cat out. Tricks, or fitness exercises are a great way to interact with your cat while they burn some energy. Treats should be small so that the cat doesn’t gain extra weight.
Treat Brands:
Ziwi Peak (these are a favorite as well! Especially the venison)
Vital Essentials (we use the rabbit bites frequently!)
Grizzly Super Treats Oven Baked Crunchy Training Treats
Pure Bites (a favorite is the shrimp!)
Answers Goat Cheese Treats (a healthier option for cheese loving cats)
Small Batch Pets Bites, Hearts and other freeze-dried products
As with all toys, cats should be supervised when using them. These forms of enrichment provide a great way for your pet to tire their mind, which helps to prevent them from doing undesirable behaviors. I provide multiple types during the day to keep my cat busy and out of trouble. To avoid over feeding, you can feed your cat their meals out of these toys.
Space Cat Academy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and it’s affiliates.