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If you are like most cat owners, you probably just fill your bowl from your pet during their planned feeding time (or whenever theirmeow is so strong You can not think right). But, according to a new study published in theJournal of Medicine Feline and Surgery,You could do to your feline friend a bad service by singing it for its dinner.

Mikel Delgado, Postdoctoral researcher on cat behavior at the University of California, Davis, and his colleagues have asked more than 3000 cats owners questions about their cat feeding practices via an online survey in early 2018. Researchers sought to see how many people use food puzzleswith their cats.

Only 30 percent of cat owners in the study used food puzzles regularly. For those who are not familiar, food puzzles usually consist of an object that can contain food and can be manipulated to free the food when an animalCRICKS OF THE CODE. There are tons of cat food puzzles on the market. Some are very simple, composed of a mobile device with holes than achat needs Rolling around to acquire the interior of dry food. Others are very complex, with balloons and ankles thatMake cats really work for their meal.

In the UC Davis survey, 18 percent of cat owners said they had tried food puzzles, but no longer use them. The other 52 percent said they had ever used them. But, according to Delgado, food puzzles are essential for cats. "Before cats were domesticated, they lived in the nature where they hunted for food," Delgadostated in a university newsletter. "Then humans have arrived and took their job away. »

In 2016, Delgado published a document in theJournal of Medicine Feline and Surgery About case studies that indicate food puzzles can help cats feel more mentally stimulated, as well as less stressed and aggressive. Some of these case studies have also suggested that food puzzles can stimulate weight loss and improve other behavioral problems, such as excessive attention and avoid litter tray.

In his recent findings, Delgado said that if you tried to use aPuzzle animal food Before and noted that your cat does not seem interested in them, it is not necessarily a sign that they can not reap the benefits of these mechanisms. "When starting with a puzzle of food, it's important to make it easy for the cat first, so that they can understand it and do not become frustrated," he says. "At the same time, you want to do one of course, it is a challenge that it offers some activity and mental stimulation. »

According to Delgado, there are different puzzles according to the needs of man and cat. For example, fixed puzzles are better for owners who use wet foods and are sensitive to noise, while moving puzzles are better for those who use dry foods and havecats who like to play with their nose more than their legs.

You may need to try some different puzzles at first to see which your pet answers, sincecats can be very selective creatures. Delgado also recommends placing some food in the puzzle first, then increasing both the amount of food and the challenge levels that the cat starts to get used to, monitor your animal's behavior up to What you are confident that the puzzle is a source of pleasure, as opposed to anxiety.

Some cat owners in the UC Davis inquiry pointed out that they abstained from using food puzzles because they haveseveral pets at home. But, Delgado said, "having several pets should not be an obstacle to the use of food puzzles. He added: "Animal owners can offer food puzzles under surveillance or use a baby door to have a dog without dog in their home where they can offer puzzles. »

Talk to your veterinarian about this kind of puzzle might be suitable for your cat better. She can just (reluctantly) thank you. And for more ways to know what needs your cat, here's 30 Surprising ways your cat communicates with you .

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