Small tips. More play.

Try a slow roll in the other direction, then pause. Change one thing at a time so your cat can watch, stalk and bat at their own pace.

If your cat watches without joining in, give them time. Try again during a time they usually enjoy playing instead of keeping the ball moving constantly.

When your cat is retrieving food comfortably, spread part of their usual portion across more of the feeder. Count puzzle food as part of the meal.

Ready for another challenge? Add this Level 1 feeder to any of the other puzzle-feeder levels individually. Each pairing adds difficulty and can give your cat more time to work through the puzzle. Try one combination at a time.

If they walk away, move the food back to easy spots and try another short session later. The aim is a comfortable introduction, not making every mouthful difficult.

Once those pieces are easy to retrieve, place food along more of the maze. Change the placement rather than adding extra food or blocking access.

For an extra challenge, combine this puzzle with the Level 1 Raised Slow Feeder. This pairing increases the difficulty and can extend the time your cat spends working for their food. Introduce the combination once they are comfortable with this puzzle on its own.

If your cat gets stuck, bring a piece back within easy reach. For a cat new to food puzzles, build confidence with the Level 1 Raised Slow Feeder first.

As they get the hang of it, divide part of their measured portion across additional tiers. Leave some easy pieces in the mix.

For an extra challenge, combine this puzzle with the Level 1 Raised Slow Feeder. This pairing increases the difficulty and can extend the time your cat spends working for their food. Introduce the combination once they are comfortable with this puzzle on its own.

If your cat keeps checking only one tier, place a visible piece on another accessible tier and point it out. Return to the familiar tier if they lose interest.

Try the center. Put a little food in the center of the tower. As your cat scoops it out, pieces can fall onto different levels, giving them new places to retrieve the food.

Add another challenge. Combine the tower with the Level 1 Raised Slow Feeder to increase the difficulty and help extend puzzle time. Use part of their measured meal rather than adding extra food.

If a higher level is frustrating, move the food back to the lowest level and build up again at your cat’s pace. Offer the remaining meal in their familiar feeder if they lose interest.

Try positioning it near a place your cat already chooses to rub. Let contact be voluntary rather than moving their face or body against the ridges.

To encourage interest, lightly spray the outside of the tower with catnip spray, following the spray’s label directions. Keep spray away from the laser and other electronics.

If your cat ignores it, try another familiar location and give them time. Keep the introduction quiet; there is no need to make it a game every time.

Once your cat is comfortably stepping onto the tile, add a short cue such as “place.” Reward on the tile so the cue stays connected to that location.

If they move away, go back to rewarding an approach. Keep practice short and let your cat leave; do not hold them on the tile.

When introducing a food puzzle, keep a familiar feeding option available in this bowl. Measure the food for both as one meal rather than adding an extra serving.

If your cat seems unsure about the new setup, start with the bowl in a familiar position before rearranging the surrounding modules.