Quick answer: DIY feeders cover levels 1 to 3 well: scatter feeding, egg cartons, toilet roll rollers and muffin tins. Store feeders shine at levels 4 and 5 with sliding lids, multi-step mazes and washable, durable builds. Start every cat at level 1, move up one level when it solves a feeder in under two minutes, and buy only once you know your cat enjoys foraging.
Puzzle feeders come in two flavours: the free ones you make from recycling, and the plastic or wooden ones you buy. Both work. The question is which suits your cat at each stage. A beginner cat needs something very easy. An expert forager needs something hard enough to stay interesting. Some homemade designs reach surprising difficulty, and some shop feeders are easier than they look.
The AAFP feeding consensus statement groups feeders by whether they are stationary or moving, and recommends starting simple. International Cat Care's puzzle feeder guide says the same: begin easy, raise difficulty slowly. This guide adds a five-level scale and shows where DIY and store options sit on it.
The five challenge levels
| Level | What the cat does | Time to empty (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Beginner | Picks food from open, visible spots | Under 1 minute |
| 2 Easy | Paws food from shallow cups or rolls an open toy | 1–3 minutes |
| 3 Medium | Lifts covers or rolls a toy with small holes | 3–6 minutes |
| 4 Hard | Slides, pushes or turns parts | 5–10 minutes |
| 5 Expert | Multi-step puzzles, small openings, layers | 10+ minutes |
Times vary a lot by cat. The useful rule: when your cat empties a feeder confidently in under two minutes, it is ready for the next level. If it gives up or seems frustrated, drop back a level.
Level 1–2: DIY wins
At the start, nothing beats DIY. Scatter a few kibble on a baking tray, drop pieces into an egg carton with the lid removed, or cut extra holes in a toilet roll. These are free, quick to make and easy to adjust. If the cat struggles, you simply make another, easier one.
Store beginner feeders exist, such as shallow trays with bumps, and they are durable and washable. But you do not know yet whether your cat will like foraging, so there is little reason to spend money at this stage.
Level 3: Roughly equal
Muffin tins with balls, toilet rolls with two small holes, cereal boxes with paw holes, and plastic bottle rollers all reach level 3. Store equivalents include treat balls with adjustable holes and boards with deep wells.
| Feature | DIY level 3 | Store level 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | Often $10–25 |
| Adjustable | Make a new one | Some have dials |
| Durability | Days to weeks | Months to years |
| Washable | Tins and trays yes, cardboard no | Usually yes |
| Noise | Varies | Hard plastic can be loud |
If your cat is happy at level 3 for a long time, DIY is perfectly adequate. If you are tired of making new cardboard feeders every week, a washable store feeder starts to make sense here.
Level 4–5: Store wins
Hard puzzles need moving parts: sliding lids, rotating discs, drawers, levers and layered compartments. These are hard to make at home in a way that is durable and safe. Cardboard sliding lids soon bend and stick, and homemade mechanisms can break into small parts.
Store feeders at these levels are usually made from food-safe plastic or wood, can be washed and last a long time. Many come with several difficulty settings, so one purchase can take a cat from level 3 to level 5. Expert foragers, often young, clever cats, can need this level to stay engaged.
DIY designs that reach level 4
The double toilet roll
A roll inside a roll, with holes that do not line up. The cat has to turn it until the holes meet. It sits between level 3 and 4.
The shoebox maze
A shoebox with cardboard dividers glued inside and a few paw holes in the lid. Kibble goes in one compartment, and the cat has to work out which hole reaches it.
The wall of tubes
Toilet roll sections glued upright to a board, with kibble in a few tubes and paper stuffed on top of some. The cat fishes and pulls paper. It can be very hard for some cats.
These are fun, but they wear out and are hard to clean. Use dry food only, and replace them when they get damp or chewed.
Hygiene and safety compared
Cardboard cannot be washed, so DIY cardboard feeders must be thrown away regularly and used only with dry food. Metal tins, silicone trays and glass dishes can be washed. Store feeders are usually dishwasher-safe or easy to wash by hand, which matters if you want to use wet food.
For safety, check both kinds for small parts and sharp edges. Cheap store feeders can have pieces that pop off. Homemade feeders can have sharp cut plastic or loose paper. Whatever you use, check it weekly and retire it when it shows wear.
Matching feeders to your cat
| Cat type | Best start | Likely to need |
|---|---|---|
| Senior or arthritic | Level 1 DIY, soft surface | Stay at level 1–2 |
| Overweight | Level 1–2 DIY | Level 3 for long-term |
| Young and clever | Level 2 DIY | Level 4–5 store |
| Anxious | Level 1 DIY in a quiet room | Level 2–3 |
| Fast eater | Level 2 DIY | Level 3 washable |
Senior cats and anxious cats do best with easy, rewarding feeders. Overweight cats benefit from slower feeding but should not be frustrated. Young, clever cats may get bored and need more challenge.
A progression plan
- Week 1: Level 1 (scatter tray, open egg carton).
- Week 2: Level 2 (toilet roll with four holes, easy muffin tin).
- Week 3–4: Level 3 (two-hole roll, muffin tin with balls).
- Week 5+: If the cat solves level 3 in under two minutes, try a level 4 DIY design or consider a store feeder.
Use food taken from the daily ration. Keep an easy feeder available too, so the cat is never stuck without food.
Cost over a year
A DIY kit using cardboard and kitchen items costs nothing but your time: perhaps ten minutes a week to make new feeders. A store feeder costs money upfront but saves that time and lasts. Many owners find a mix works best: DIY for variety and fun, one or two good store feeders for daily use.
If you are setting up a home for a new cat, our new cat owner starter kit and practical gifts for cat owners lists include feeders worth buying. For a home that keeps cat gear tidy, see cat-friendly living rooms that still look like adult homes and cat furniture that does not look like cat furniture. Scratching is the other half of daily enrichment; our guides to getting your cat to use a scratcher and cat furniture for small spaces cover it.
What to look for when buying a store feeder
If you decide to buy, check a few things. The material should be food-safe and sturdy, without parts small enough to swallow. It should come apart for washing or be dishwasher-safe. Adjustable difficulty means one feeder can grow with your cat. A heavy or non-slip base helps for stationary feeders, while rolling feeders should not be so loud they become a nuisance at night.
- Food-safe plastic, silicone or sealed wood.
- No small pop-off parts or loose pegs.
- Easy to clean, ideally dishwasher-safe.
- Adjustable openings or several difficulty settings.
- Size suits your cat's paws and face.
- Quiet enough for your home.
Read reviews for durability. Some feeders look clever but break quickly, while others last for years. Look also at whether the openings suit your cat's kibble size, which is a common reason store feeders fail.
Using DIY to test before you buy
Here is a practical approach. Use DIY versions for two to four weeks and notice which style your cat prefers. If it loves rolling toilet rolls, a treat ball is a safe purchase. If it prefers fishing in egg cartons, a stationary board with wells will suit it. If it loves lifting balls off a muffin tin, look for feeders with lift-off covers.
This way the store feeder is matched to a style your cat already enjoys, rather than a guess. It saves money and avoids the common experience of buying a feeder the cat ignores.
DIY vs store puzzle feeder FAQ
Are store puzzle feeders better than DIY?
Not at easy levels, where DIY is free and adjustable. At hard levels, store feeders are more durable, washable and challenging.
How do I know when to increase the challenge?
When your cat empties a feeder confidently in under two minutes, move up one level.
Can I use wet food in a puzzle feeder?
Only in washable feeders like silicone trays or store feeders designed for it. Never in cardboard.
My cat gets frustrated. What should I do?
Drop back a level, add treats, and show the cat how the feeder works. Success keeps cats motivated.
