Toilet-roll pyramid for cats: how to play

Cardboard tubes stacked into a pyramid with kibble inside. Your cat fishes out food with its paws.

Time: 10 min
Energy: Low
Space: Small room

You'll need

6 to 10 empty toilet-roll tubes
a shallow box lid or tray
non-toxic glue or tape on the outside only
kibble

Set up

Stand the tubes on end in a shallow box lid, or lay them on their sides stacked in a pyramid. Glue or tape them together on the outside so the pyramid does not collapse.

How to play

Build the pyramid: a row of four tubes on their sides, three on top, two, then one. Glue where tubes touch.
Let the glue dry fully and air out before use.
Drop a few pieces of kibble into the front of each tube where your cat can see them.
Put the pyramid against a wall so it does not roll. Show your cat a piece near the opening.
Over time, push kibble deeper into the tubes so your cat must reach in with a paw.
Replace the pyramid when it gets soggy or chewed.

House rules

Kibble near the front at first.
Tape and glue stay on the outside.

Make it easier: Use a single layer of tubes standing upright with kibble on top.
Make it harder: Fold one end of some tubes so kibble can only be reached from one side, or mix empty tubes in.

Signs it's having fun

Paw reaching deep into tubes, sniffing along the rows, scooping kibble out and eating it off the paw.

Stop if you see

Your cat chews and eats cardboard, or gets frustrated.

Safety

Use non-toxic, fully dried glue. Keep tape away from openings where your cat could chew it.
Throw out tubes that are soggy, mouldy or being chewed and eaten.