Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
User submission
43.1K
Guy Builds Cat Feeding Machine That Requires His Kitty To Hunt For Food
RELATED:
Ben Millam who refers to himself as an “aspiring geek” built an incredible machine that takes cat feeding to a whole new level. He trained his cat Monkey to look for plastic balls hidden around the house and throw them into the machine. Once the machine recognizes the RFID-tagged balls, the feeder is activated and the ball is filled with cat treats.
Monkey was trained using ‘clicker’ training that is based on associating a desirable behaviour with a distinctive click and a reward. It took some time and patience but as Millam says, Monkey successfully managed to put up with all his experiments.
“This all started after I read an explanation of why cats go about repeatedly exploring the same areas: it’s partly to establish and survey their territory, but they’re also practicing ‘mobile’ hunting,” Millam said. “So what if my cat, while out on patrol, actually found its prey? Surely this would bring him one step closer towards a more fulfilled and self-actualized indoor kitty existence.”
More info: benjaminmillam.com (h/t: laughingsquid)
238Kviews
Share on FacebookExplore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Shana 10 years ago
Think one of my cats would be too lazy to do that. Sometimes it's hard to get her out of her lair (= hidden sleeping spot in a cupboard :P) even if I'm holding treats.
TinyDynamine 10 years ago
Ha, so typical of cats. This could be a good way to get them to get off their lazy backsides though!
Load More Replies...
JolijnNjamin-GeurtsvanKessel 10 years ago
This is so awesome!! But how do you train the cat so that he knows what to do?
MerveGüleroğlu 10 years ago
You use a clicker to trigger the behavior and treatments(as a reward) to reinforce it. Repeat it alot, and it will learn it. You can search clicker training for cats on Youtube^^
Load More Replies...
BetsyScalzo 10 years ago
I think this guy has a Kickstarter project idea! Now, how do we get him going?
RomaBurnsEliker 10 years ago
My 3 cats are 13 yrs old and are outdoor cats. We live in the country and they hunt all day. I agree that is something they need to do and this machine is a gr8 idea for helping an indoor cat kept from being bored. What a gr8 idea.
SallyVogel 10 years ago
Great idea! Captive animals need to exercise their brains. Better to hunt a ball than to be outside hunting birds.
JamesWood 10 years ago
This is a great enrichment for your cat. Animals in the wild have things to do, hunt for food, find mates, avoid predators, deal with weather, etc. Sometime in captivity they get board and develop less than desirable behaviors. Often giving them things to do, like this, helps a lot.
ShannonSweeney 10 years ago
Treats need to be fresh, and, the balls cleaned regularly and OFTEN. Otherwise this little guy could be poisoned, as happened and reported on one dog whose owner did not clean the plastic bin everytime he refilled it with new kibble. (Don't get me started on kibble . . . our pets rarely get that. They eat almost all raw, with some canned mixed in for variety in flavors.)
KariMoore 10 years ago
Did you watch the video? The article is false. The treats don't go into the ball. The ball triggers a release of food or treats into the bowl.
Load More Replies... NancyKClark 10 years ago
I recently heard an interview with a veterinarian who said that it's a good idea to hide small servings of cat food around the house, as cats are less bored if they have to seek out their food. This seems like a good alternative solution.
Andy Harms 7 years ago
Great way to get them moving and a wonderful automatic cat feeder. Andy Harms http://bowchickameowmeow.com
Shana 10 years ago
Think one of my cats would be too lazy to do that. Sometimes it's hard to get her out of her lair (= hidden sleeping spot in a cupboard :P) even if I'm holding treats.
TinyDynamine 10 years ago
Ha, so typical of cats. This could be a good way to get them to get off their lazy backsides though!
Load More Replies... JolijnNjamin-GeurtsvanKessel 10 years ago
This is so awesome!! But how do you train the cat so that he knows what to do?
MerveGüleroğlu 10 years ago
You use a clicker to trigger the behavior and treatments(as a reward) to reinforce it. Repeat it alot, and it will learn it. You can search clicker training for cats on Youtube^^
Load More Replies... BetsyScalzo 10 years ago
I think this guy has a Kickstarter project idea! Now, how do we get him going?
RomaBurnsEliker 10 years ago
My 3 cats are 13 yrs old and are outdoor cats. We live in the country and they hunt all day. I agree that is something they need to do and this machine is a gr8 idea for helping an indoor cat kept from being bored. What a gr8 idea.
SallyVogel 10 years ago
Great idea! Captive animals need to exercise their brains. Better to hunt a ball than to be outside hunting birds.
JamesWood 10 years ago
This is a great enrichment for your cat. Animals in the wild have things to do, hunt for food, find mates, avoid predators, deal with weather, etc. Sometime in captivity they get board and develop less than desirable behaviors. Often giving them things to do, like this, helps a lot.
ShannonSweeney 10 years ago
Treats need to be fresh, and, the balls cleaned regularly and OFTEN. Otherwise this little guy could be poisoned, as happened and reported on one dog whose owner did not clean the plastic bin everytime he refilled it with new kibble. (Don't get me started on kibble . . . our pets rarely get that. They eat almost all raw, with some canned mixed in for variety in flavors.)
KariMoore 10 years ago
Did you watch the video? The article is false. The treats don't go into the ball. The ball triggers a release of food or treats into the bowl.
Load More Replies... NancyKClark 10 years ago
I recently heard an interview with a veterinarian who said that it's a good idea to hide small servings of cat food around the house, as cats are less bored if they have to seek out their food. This seems like a good alternative solution.
Andy Harms 7 years ago
Great way to get them moving and a wonderful automatic cat feeder. Andy Harms http://bowchickameowmeow.com
You May Like “Kitties Working Hard And Hardly Working”: 109 Delightful Pics Of Working Cats (New Pics) Cat Meme Therapy: 100 Posts to Brighten Your Day 56 Cute Photos Of Bodega Cats That Feel Like Masters Of The Shops
Mantas Kačerauskas
Mantas Kačerauskas
Ilona Baliūnaitė
Related on Bored Panda
390
63