How to feed your cat or dog - from bowls to slow feeders and puzzle toys

Dr Matthew Kopke

Jan 206 min read

It might seem like an odd or even simple topic - but we often get asked how best to feed cats and dogs. Now, we're not talking about what to feed but the actual act of feeding.

So, let's take a step back and look at what is normal for non-domesticated cats and dogs as a starting point. Our wild furry friends forage for their food - for wild cats, this entails hunting, whereas wild dogs couple such activity with rooting behaviour.

Not only is the act of finding their food rewarding (yes, the 'act' and not necessarily just the end goal of eating), but it is also a form of exercise and plays a vital role in engaging and stimulating their brain.

In short, it's enriching.

Which if you contrast that to how domesticated cats and dogs have typically been feed for the past century or more, it's very different. Up until recently, it's been the norm for pet parents to simply offer up their pet's food in a bowl, or perhaps on a plate.

While this is similar to how we as humans eat, it's not very engaging or stimulating for our four-legged companions.

How do we make it more enriching?

Enrichment feeding can range from simply scattering food on the ground to hiding it in puzzle feeders/toys - we'll get into the different options below.

There's not necessarily a 'one size fits all' option because, just like humans, every cat and dog is unique with their feeding preferences and what they will and won't find enjoyable.

Research has demonstrated various benefits of enrichment feeding for cats and dogs, other species such as birds, and animals considered pets versus those living in shelter environments or even a laboratory setting.

These benefits include:

Increased activity levels/exercise (useful for overweight or obese cats and dogs; if they're obliging)
Reducing anxiety and stress levels
Reducing stereotypical behaviours and vices
Reduce food seeking
Less attention-seeking behaviours in cats and dogs (e.g., barking for the latter)

Do cats and dogs actually like it?

There are a few terms and phrases that we need to consider when trying to answer this question.

The first is contrafreeloading. Yes, it's a mouthful. It refers to the act or behaviour of working for food, especially when also provided with the option of identical food that requires no effort to obtain.

Then there's the 'Eureka Effect' - in dogs, a positive emotional state (i.e., excitement) in response to their own achievement.

One study showed that dogs are willing to contrafreeload, but don't necessarily have a preference to do so when there is the option of identical food being more freely available.

Another study by Gowan et al. demonstrated that dogs react emotionally to problem-solving opportunities (the 'Eureka Effect'), and tail wagging was a useful indicator of positive affective states.

Let's look at some of the options.

Bowls

Firstly, we're not saying that it's wrong or not okay to feed cats and dogs from bowls or even plates.

In fact, some cats or dogs might actually prefer it for the majority of their feeding times.

What about elevated bowls?

Using elevated bowls can be particularly useful for cats and dogs with specific conformations and/or medical conditions.

These include brachycephalic breeds (cats or dogs with 'flat faces' such as Persian cats or French bulldogs), senior pets with arthritis, and even pets with certain gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., oesophageal dysfunction).

Works well with different food types - whether you feed dry food or wet food. Easy to clean.

Slow feeders

While these are technically still classified as bowls, for the sake of this blog post, we'll categorise them separately.

They come in all shapes, sizes, and difficulty levels - to suit different styles and levels of patience when it comes to the act of foraging.

Not only are these feeders enriching, but they are also super useful in slowing down greedy eaters and can help manage aerophagia (swallowing excessive amounts of air while eating), which has been linked with marked borborygmi and even medical conditions such as gastric dilatation.

What's also great about this format is that it can be used with various types of food - from dry varieties such as kibble or air-dried/freeze-dried diets to wet foods (canned foods to fresh frozen diets (raw or cooked)).

It is worth mentioning that some of the slow feeders can be a pain to clean - especially if you're washing dishes by hand. Nowadays, some manufacturers actually sell specially designed brushes/utensils to help with cleaning. Despite that, it can still be tricky cutting through some impressive slobber.

What's out there?

A lot. Your local or online pet store will likely have a ton of options to choose from. It's important to see if there is a difficulty level stated for the product in question. Start with something on the easier end of the spectrum, if your cat or dog is not familiar with such a feeder, and, if it's a hit, then you can always with time, move up on the difficulty scale.

LickiMat is a well-established Australian brand that has a huge range of slow feeders for cats and dogs.

I find these particularly useful for cats and dogs that are overweight, and it also works like a charm as a distraction when needing to less popular tasks like nail clipping as an example.

Just put something like peanut butter (make sure it doesn't contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol), and it will keep your pooch preoccupied while you tackle them claws.

The texture of the LickiMat can also help manage oral health/hygiene, and is very useful as an adjunct when it comes to managing anxiety and sudden stressful periods.

Puzzle feeders and toys

A food puzzle can be any object that contains food and requires your cat or dog to find a way to get to the food. They give pets an outlet for instinctual behaviours, while also stimulating them cognitively.

There are so many options to choose from, including ones suitable for novices all the way up to expert level.

Kong Classic Dog Toy

Great for shoving large chews or treats into, that fit snugly and keep your dog occupied for a decent amount of time trying to wrangle it out. It can also work with things like peanut butter, and their is also a 'senior' version of the toy available for older dogs.

Kong Dog Toy Wobbler

This is probably not a suitable toy for true beginners, as some dogs might take a while to figure out the action that is associated with 'the reward' of dispensing kibble/treats.

Nina Ottosson - Dog Hide N Slide Puzzle

I lover these more interactive toys for cats and dogs, but they can be a bit challenging for some four-legged friends, so don't start with something like this - build up to it, otherwise you might be a bit disappointed and regret your purchase at first.

IQ treat balls (or tumblers/dispensers)

These are not for the faint-hearted and impatient furry friends - they can be a challenge, and some cats and dogs might become frustrated with them or simply show no interest whatsoever. Again, if your cat or dog is new to the puzzle feeders, don't start with this one, reserve it for the future, if they're hungry to try new things.

Other options

Snuffle mats

These are not only adorable (some of the designs are really creative or cute), but they also create a different sensory experience for those besties who live life through their noses.

The only downside is the need to throw them in the wash fairly often, depending on how drooly the forager is, of course.

Take-home message:

While all of these are great, it’s crucial to introduce them slowly, focus on making it a positive experience, perhaps using treats at the beginning, and not start with the most challenging puzzle feeder – work up to it.