DIY toy guide
Cardboard Box Puzzle Feeder
Turn a shoebox and some toilet-roll tubes into a foraging challenge
Stand toilet-roll tubes upright inside a shallow box and drop kibble or treats between them, so your cat has to fish each piece out — slowing down fast eaters and turning mealtime into a hunt.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- A shallow cardboard box (a shoebox lid or similar works well)
- Six to ten empty toilet-roll or kitchen-roll tubes
- A little non-toxic glue or tape
- Your cat's usual kibble or a few treats
🔧 How to make it
- Stand the tubes upright, packed closely together, inside the box until the base is filled.
- Dab a little glue or tape underneath so they do not tip over in use.
- Let any glue dry fully, then scatter kibble or treats down into and between the tubes.
- Show your cat the box and let them paw and nose the food out at their own pace.
- Start easy with food near the top, then hide it deeper as your cat gets the hang of it.
💡 Tips
Cut the tubes to different heights for extra variety, and begin with a very easy version so your cat has quick early wins and does not lose interest. Rotate the feeder in a few times a week rather than every day so it stays novel.
Safety: Supervise the first few sessions and remove any tubes that get chewed soggy or torn, as large pieces of wet cardboard should not be swallowed. Use only plain, unprinted tubes with no leftover glue or plastic.
📝 Notes
A brilliant, zero-cost way to give indoor cats mental exercise and slow down a gobbler — foraging for food is one of the most natural and satisfying activities you can offer.
