In this study, 3192 cat owners were surveyed about what type of food they feed their cat, the method of delivery, and their attitudes toward and use of food puzzles. Most pet owners reported feeding dry food, of which >50% were feeding ad libitum. Only 30% of respondents used food puzzles; most (63%) of the food puzzle users noted that they had learned about them online or by seeing them in a pet store, whereas a smaller percentage learned about food puzzles through their primary veterinarian (13%), a veterinary behaviorist (9%), or a veterinary nurse (4%). Respondents who had stopped using food puzzles cited reasons such as their cat was “too lazy,” never figured them out, or did not benefit from using them. Owners who had never used food puzzles cited a variety of reasons for not doing so (eg, dogs in household, not wanting to attract bugs, having cats with different weight goals, lack of knowledge about food puzzles); this shows that there is an opportunity for clinicians to discuss overcoming barriers and potential benefits of enrichment.
Although the authors noted that more research is warranted to better determine the potential benefits of food puzzles for cats, food puzzles that can slow mealtimes and encourage activity and enrichment can be a creative tool in weight management and obesity prevention for indoor cats, as unlimited access to calories poses risks for obesity. Aligning owner expectations regarding weight management and obesity prevention is important, however; although increased activity with food puzzles can help with begging behaviors and maintain lean tissue and overall mental and physical health, there is no substitute for monitoring caloric intake. Informing owners that there is a variety of interactive toys available can help address many of the concerns mentioned in the survey (eg, cat being too lazy or not understanding the puzzle). Recommendations should be tailored to each family environment and the specific motivations of the cat; a list of ideas/activities and a troubleshooting guide can be helpful for owners who are not sure where to start or who may not initially see the value of enrichment for their cat (see Suggested Reading).
