Cat tree treat hunt for cats: how to play
Hide dry kibble or healthy treats in various areas of a sturdy cat tree so your cat hunts and climbs the whole tree to find them.
- Time
- 5 min
- Energy
- Medium
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- sturdy multi-level cat tree
- part of your cat's daily dry food ration or treats
Set up
Put the cat tree in an area where the family spends time, rather than hidden away in a back room or garage, and secure it away from a wall if possible so your cat can hop on from different angles. Take part of your cat's daily food ration and have it ready.
How to play
Put the cat tree in a place where the family spends time, not in a back room or garage. Secure it away from a wall if possible, so your cat can hop on from different angles.
Take part of your cat's daily food ration or some treats and hide them in various areas of the tree: platforms, perches, cubbies and the gaps between tiers. Your cat has to hunt and climb to find them.
Let your cat work it out. Wait quietly and let your cat seek, climb and explore the tree in its own time rather than lifting your cat onto it.
Check that all the food has been eaten. Ensure the whole ration is consumed, as cats can become seriously ill if they do not ingest enough calories daily.
House rules
- Hidden food counts as part of the daily ration, not extra.
- Ensure all the food is consumed.
- Try to fit at least three short play sessions into your cat's day, ideally just before the times your cat would normally be active or seek attention.
- Make it easier
- Cats have individual preferences, so there is no one size fits all: put the food in the places on the tree your cat already likes to use.
- Make it harder
- Hide the food in more areas of the tree and around the home as well, since hiding part of the daily ration in various areas is what satisfies the need to hunt, play and explore.
Signs it's having fun
Your cat exploring and climbing the tree on its own, and later choosing a high perch to settle on; many cats seek high resting places where they can relax while still keeping an eye out.
Stop if you see
Your cat is up high because they are too frightened to come down and join the family. It is okay for a cat to choose an elevated spot for a comfortable bit of shut-eye, but not to be up high out of fear.
Safety
Safety- Secure the tree away from a wall, if possible, so your cat can hop on from different angles.
- Ensure all the food is consumed; cats can become seriously ill if they do not ingest enough calories daily.
- Put a soft, non-skid bed in your cat's favoured resting spot on the tree.
Sources
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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