DIY toy guide
Treat Dispensing Bottle
Convert a plastic bottle into a rolling puzzle feeder
A clean plastic bottle with small holes drilled in the sides becomes a rolling treat dispenser that gives cats a satisfying puzzle to solve.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- 1 clean, label-free plastic bottle (500 ml works well — not too large, not too small)
- A small drill or heated nail to make holes
- Dry kibble or small training treats
- Sandpaper to smooth hole edges (optional)
🔧 How to make it
- Thoroughly clean and dry the plastic bottle. Remove all labels and adhesive residue.
- Using a drill or a nail heated over a flame, make 8–12 holes around the body of the bottle. Each hole should be just slightly larger than one kibble piece.
- Smooth the hole edges with sandpaper or a nail file to prevent sharp burrs.
- Screw the lid on tightly. This prevents your cat from tipping the bottle and emptying it all at once.
- Fill the bottle with a portion of your cat's daily kibble through the holes (or temporarily remove the lid to fill, then replace it).
- Place on a hard floor and let your cat discover it rolls and dispenses food.
💡 Tips
Start with larger holes and work down to smaller ones as your cat gains skill. For multiple cats, make one bottle per cat to prevent resource guarding. Use as part of your cat's daily meal rather than as a treat supplement — this turns mealtimes into enrichment without adding extra calories.
Safety: Check hole edges are smooth before use. Inspect the bottle regularly for cracks or sharp edges from vigorous play. Replace the bottle if it cracks.
📝 Notes
Wash weekly. Replace the bottle every month or when it becomes cracked or discoloured.