Food enrichment doesn’t have to break the bank. These fun and affordable ideas let you create mentally stimulating meals using things you already have at home.
Use Recyclables
Before you toss that empty toilet paper roll or egg carton, turn it into a treat puzzle. Cardboard and paper containers are perfect for hiding small snacks and encouraging pawing, sniffing, and problem-solving—no purchase required.
DIY Treat Hunt
Take a few pieces of dry food and scatter them in corners, under rugs, or around furniture legs. This simple game activates your cat’s hunting instincts and keeps them engaged with their environment. Bonus: it turns your home into a playground.
Add Scent Layers
Sprinkle a small amount of silvervine or catnip near puzzle toys or inside DIY treat containers. The added scent gives your cat even more reason to explore and interact. It’s a low-effort way to turn a basic activity into a multi-sensory experience.
Repurpose What You Have
Don’t underestimate old socks, towels, or containers. Tie up a few treats in a towel or hide snacks in a clean sock to make a digging game. With a little creativity, almost anything soft and safe can become a toy.
Mix Store + DIY
Store-bought puzzle feeders don’t have to work alone. Combine them with homemade fillers, rotated treats, or added scent for variety. Mixing tools keeps the experience fresh and lets you stretch a small budget for maximum engagement.
References
Dantas, L. M., Delgado, M. M., Johnson, I., & Buffington, C. A. T. (2016). Food puzzles for cats: Feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 18(9), 723–732. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X16643708
Ellis, S. L. H. (2009). Environmental enrichment: practical strategies for improving feline welfare. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11(11), 901–912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2009.09.011
Vitale Shreve, K. R., & Udell, M. A. R. (2017). Stress, security, and scent: The influence of chemical signals on the social lives of domestic cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 187, 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2016.11.011
Written by: Rebecca Li
Design by: Rebecca Li