Treat treasure hunt for cats: how to play

Hide treats or kibble around a room, then around the home, and let your cat sniff them out.

You'll need

Take the treats from your cat's daily food. Start in one room your cat knows well. Pick spots at floor level first.

While your cat watches, put three treats in plain sight a short way apart. Let it eat them.
Next round, place treats partly hidden: behind a chair leg, beside a cushion, on a low step.
Shut your cat out of the room for a minute, hide 5 to 10 treats, then open the door.
If it seems stuck, tap near a treat or walk toward it. Help is fine.
Add height and rooms as it gets good: cat tree shelf, inside an open box, under a towel corner.
Count the treats you hid and check they were all found, so none are left to go stale.

Make it easier: Leave treats in plain sight and hide them while your cat watches.
Make it harder: Hide treats in several rooms, at different heights, and under light cover such as a paper cup or towel corner.

Nose down, tail up, searching from spot to spot, coming back to check old spots.

Your cat loses interest or gets frustrated; make the next hunt easier.

Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.

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