To answer this question, we must first understand the meaning of the term. Food enrichment is a form of environmental enrichment, and involves strategies to provide food in a way that mimics hunting in nature, promoting not only olfactory and foraging stimulation, but also cognitive stimulation for your cat. The goal is to make feeding an active, playful and stimulating process.
It is important to know that all natural behavior of the species is highly motivated, and studies show that hunting releases more dopamine than the act of eating itself. In addition, animals with environmental enrichment are less likely to develop obesity and mental disorders, such as anxiety.
With that in mind, how about implementing the following tips into your cat’s routine?
Some toys that can be introduced are stuffable toys, which allow you to put food inside. Ideally, the cat should only eat from these toys, so that they are challenged every day, just as they would be in nature.
An important point to note is that if your cat is already used to eating from a bowl, introducing these toys should be done gradually and easily, so as not to cause frustration and stress. It is also essential to supervise at the beginning, to assess whether the experience is enjoyable and whether your cat is not having excessive difficulties, in order to prevent him from going hungry.
The goal is to achieve a complete transition so that your dog only eats from toys, and when you leave for work, he/she will have a few hours of stimulation. It is important to vary the toys and difficulties as he/she learns, as well as the types of food (dry, snacks or wet), to keep him/her interested. You can alternate the toys, while some are put away, others can be in the environment, and so on. If you have a puppy, you can get him/her used to eating only from toys from a young age. They will love it!
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