DIY toy guide
Frozen Treat Puzzle Cup
A lick-and-work ice cup that keeps a cat busy and cool on a hot day
Freeze a few treats or a little cat-safe broth into a cup of water, then turn the ice block out for your cat to lick, paw and nudge as it slowly melts — a cooling summer enrichment puzzle that reveals its rewards over time.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 10 minutes plus freezing
- Cost
- Under £1
🧺 You will need
- A small plastic cup or silicone mould
- Water or unsalted, onion-free cat-safe broth
- A few cat treats, pieces of cooked chicken or a little wet food
- A shallow dish or tray to catch the meltwater
🔧 How to make it
- Drop a few treats or small pieces of cooked chicken into the bottom of the cup.
- Fill the cup with water or cooled cat-safe broth, leaving a little space at the top.
- Freeze until solid, ideally overnight.
- Briefly dip the outside of the cup in warm water to loosen the block, then turn it out into a shallow tray.
- Offer it to your cat on a hot day and let them lick and paw the ice to work the treats free as it melts.
- Tip away the meltwater and any uneaten food afterwards, and wipe the tray clean.
💡 Tips
- Freeze it in a silicone mould for fun shapes, or layer treats at different depths so the puzzle lasts longer.
- Only use plain water or a broth you have checked is free of salt, onion and garlic.
- Offer it on a tiled or lino floor, or over a towel, so the melting ice does not soak carpet.
Safety: Supervise play so your cat licks the ice rather than trying to bite chunks off it, which could be a choking risk or hurt teeth. Keep sessions short and offer the block, not loose ice cubes, to avoid gulping.
📝 Notes
A near-free way to keep a cat cool, entertained and hydrated in hot weather. Ten minutes of prep plus freezing time yields a puzzle that can keep a cat happily occupied as it slowly melts.