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Guy Builds Cat Feeding Machine That Requires His Kitty To Hunt For Food
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Guy Builds Cat Feeding Machine That Requires His Kitty To Hunt For Food

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)

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Shanake_ avatar
Shana
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

copper.fractions avatar
TinyDynamine
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha, so typical of cats. This could be a good way to get them to get off their lazy backsides though!

Load More Replies...
jolijngvk avatar
sarikirmizi_aycicegi avatar
MerveGüleroğlu
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
scalzo avatar
BetsyScalzo
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this guy has a Kickstarter project idea! Now, how do we get him going?

nicnewhandle avatar
RomaBurnsEliker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

sally.e.vogel avatar
SallyVogel
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea! Captive animals need to exercise their brains. Better to hunt a ball than to be outside hunting birds.

jamesbwood2000 avatar
JamesWood
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

shannon.atty avatar
ShannonSweeney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.)

sultrypickle avatar
KariMoore
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
clarknancy2000 avatar
NancyKClark
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

zzzsmokeyzzz avatar
Andy Harms
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great way to get them moving and a wonderful automatic cat feeder. Andy Harms http://bowchickameowmeow.com

zzzsmokeyzzz avatar
Andy Harms
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

renmgmt avatar
Jill Willis
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! Jaime Jackson (author) created a concept called Paddock Paradise for horses to also live and eat in a manner that puts them as close as possible to the manner in which they would live in the wild. https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPaddockParadisePage/

angelis_ater avatar
Ueda San
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat would starve to death even if he knew how to use the machine . Or would knock the whole thing over until the food spilled over

heatherleecollins2012 avatar
Heather
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome I love it. It's good for their prey instinct. Exercise to keep them slim. Monkey Has a cool pet parent.

ssbadong avatar
Cats4Life
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my cats would love this! one of them always has a ball in her mouth!

ldhkah avatar
LisaHannigan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat would adore this! Can you make me one? PM me on Facebook. Lisa DiStefano Hannigan

bjesovska_olosh avatar
SonjaTrpovski
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

GENIAL !!! This should be in every home (a home is where your cat is) ;)

captaingrumpy avatar
polyhymnia avatar
AllisonJennings
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably doesn't need much food-cats eat small amounts of food frequently, since their tummies are so small

Load More Replies...
kasia.and.company avatar
AliceK.Klatt
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing idea! Smart kitty!! I "have" a wild crow who calls me under my window, when she has hunger and this works like a feeding machine for this cat :D Animals are much smarter, then many people think.

glynislailann avatar
GlynisLailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clever kitty. What an ingenius idea to stimulate kitty's brain power.

teaberries avatar
TeaBerries
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then you go on vacation and forget to remove the balls from the box... lol

phylsfads avatar
PhyllisSteging
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's quite a contraptions but having it operated by a very smnart kitty. Wants a treat, has to work. Great idea!!! Great owner.

bron avatar
meg
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic! . bet it was almost as much fun for you ;-)

lduchrow27 avatar
LoriDuchrow
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they should make one for people so I could lose some weight

pearlviolet43 avatar
MaxineFultz
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must of taken quite a while for kitty to figure out how to do it!

Dashelamet avatar
ValleyGirl
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want one! My cat would love doing this—he likes to play games and do simple tasks.

pklein99 avatar
PatKlein
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wonderful mental stimulation -- too bad the cat's reward is dry food.

vanillanncy avatar
AnaMoraca
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so amazing! Great job, very creative! I would love to have a knowledge to make my kitty something challenging like this.

rosejasminanet avatar
RoosaTolvanen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very useful when the cat's owner is gone and there's no one to feed him/her. Smart!

gatorvet01 avatar
ColeenJohnston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want one! Just needs to be able to dispense wet food since that is better for them.

RebeccaBoone avatar
0tothe9th
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful. Pets are bored to death. This is a marvelous idea for keeping his cat active, and busy.

shannon.atty avatar
ShannonSweeney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as treats are fresh, and, the balls are cleaned daily. Otherwise risk of poisoning the pet. Has happened.

whatprettygirlsaremadeof avatar
NatalieEstrada
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

That's dumb so now my cats will go places I don't want them to go, like my desk etc. Give your cat the food and move on with your day. This cat looks like he's going to pee on him for making him do all of this.

calinalexandru avatar
calinalexandru
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

its not worth the bother...just feed your damn cat like a normal person.

Shanake_ avatar
Shana
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

copper.fractions avatar
TinyDynamine
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha, so typical of cats. This could be a good way to get them to get off their lazy backsides though!

Load More Replies...
jolijngvk avatar
sarikirmizi_aycicegi avatar
MerveGüleroğlu
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
scalzo avatar
BetsyScalzo
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this guy has a Kickstarter project idea! Now, how do we get him going?

nicnewhandle avatar
RomaBurnsEliker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

sally.e.vogel avatar
SallyVogel
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea! Captive animals need to exercise their brains. Better to hunt a ball than to be outside hunting birds.

jamesbwood2000 avatar
JamesWood
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

shannon.atty avatar
ShannonSweeney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.)

sultrypickle avatar
KariMoore
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
clarknancy2000 avatar
NancyKClark
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

zzzsmokeyzzz avatar
Andy Harms
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great way to get them moving and a wonderful automatic cat feeder. Andy Harms http://bowchickameowmeow.com

zzzsmokeyzzz avatar
Andy Harms
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

renmgmt avatar
Jill Willis
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! Jaime Jackson (author) created a concept called Paddock Paradise for horses to also live and eat in a manner that puts them as close as possible to the manner in which they would live in the wild. https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPaddockParadisePage/

angelis_ater avatar
Ueda San
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat would starve to death even if he knew how to use the machine . Or would knock the whole thing over until the food spilled over

heatherleecollins2012 avatar
Heather
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome I love it. It's good for their prey instinct. Exercise to keep them slim. Monkey Has a cool pet parent.

ssbadong avatar
Cats4Life
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my cats would love this! one of them always has a ball in her mouth!

ldhkah avatar
LisaHannigan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat would adore this! Can you make me one? PM me on Facebook. Lisa DiStefano Hannigan

bjesovska_olosh avatar
SonjaTrpovski
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

GENIAL !!! This should be in every home (a home is where your cat is) ;)

captaingrumpy avatar
polyhymnia avatar
AllisonJennings
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably doesn't need much food-cats eat small amounts of food frequently, since their tummies are so small

Load More Replies...
kasia.and.company avatar
AliceK.Klatt
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing idea! Smart kitty!! I "have" a wild crow who calls me under my window, when she has hunger and this works like a feeding machine for this cat :D Animals are much smarter, then many people think.

glynislailann avatar
GlynisLailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clever kitty. What an ingenius idea to stimulate kitty's brain power.

teaberries avatar
TeaBerries
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then you go on vacation and forget to remove the balls from the box... lol

phylsfads avatar
PhyllisSteging
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's quite a contraptions but having it operated by a very smnart kitty. Wants a treat, has to work. Great idea!!! Great owner.

bron avatar
meg
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic! . bet it was almost as much fun for you ;-)

lduchrow27 avatar
LoriDuchrow
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they should make one for people so I could lose some weight

pearlviolet43 avatar
MaxineFultz
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must of taken quite a while for kitty to figure out how to do it!

Dashelamet avatar
ValleyGirl
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want one! My cat would love doing this—he likes to play games and do simple tasks.

pklein99 avatar
PatKlein
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wonderful mental stimulation -- too bad the cat's reward is dry food.

vanillanncy avatar
AnaMoraca
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so amazing! Great job, very creative! I would love to have a knowledge to make my kitty something challenging like this.

rosejasminanet avatar
RoosaTolvanen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very useful when the cat's owner is gone and there's no one to feed him/her. Smart!

gatorvet01 avatar
ColeenJohnston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want one! Just needs to be able to dispense wet food since that is better for them.

RebeccaBoone avatar
0tothe9th
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful. Pets are bored to death. This is a marvelous idea for keeping his cat active, and busy.

shannon.atty avatar
ShannonSweeney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as treats are fresh, and, the balls are cleaned daily. Otherwise risk of poisoning the pet. Has happened.

whatprettygirlsaremadeof avatar
NatalieEstrada
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

That's dumb so now my cats will go places I don't want them to go, like my desk etc. Give your cat the food and move on with your day. This cat looks like he's going to pee on him for making him do all of this.

calinalexandru avatar
calinalexandru
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

its not worth the bother...just feed your damn cat like a normal person.

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