11 Best Cat Treat Dispenser Toys (Top Picks & Review)

Last Updated: 7 months ago

Are you looking for cat treat dispenser toys to provide mental stimulation for your feline friend?

As you’ll find out, food dispensing toys for cats has many benefits, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the variety.

Fortunately, we’re here with the 11 best cat treat dispenser toy reviews to narrow down your choice.

Let’s get going, shall we? Let’s start with a quick look at our top picks, then keep reading for all the glorious details.

Best Cat Treat Dispenser Toys Top Picks at a Glance

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• Winner: Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center Fun Board
• Best for Fast Eaters: TRIXIE Activity Strategy Game Tunnel 
• Best Interactive: Catit Senses 2.0 Digger Interactive Cat Toy
• Best for Bored Cats: Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Feeder for Cats
• Best for Intellectual Stimulation: OurPets Sushi Treat Dispensing Puzzle Dog & Cat

Don’t have time? Here is a quick comparison of some of our favorites!

11 Best Cat Treat Dispenser Toys (With Reviews)

An indoor environment often doesn’t provide the same level of stimulation and games to satisfy your cat’s natural instincts. 

Studies also identify housing as one of the risks for obesity.

They say outdoors cats are “much less likely to be overweight or obese when compared with cats housed indoors only.”

However, the best treat dispensing cat toys and feeders can enrich your cat’s environment and provide the necessary level of stimulation.

So, let’s see our top 11 treat dispensers for cats.

#1 Winner: Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center Fun Board

When it comes to food dispensing toys for cats, Trixie is one of the leading companies that never disappoints with their ideas.

Physical Attributes

• Made from plastic
• Rubber feet
• Five challenge activities

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 11.75 x 15.5 x 3 inches
• 3 pounds of weight

Benefits	Drawbacks
Trixie’s activity fun board is one of the best cat treat dispenser toys because it’s includes five food puzzles to stimulate all of your cat’s senses.	Some customers say that the puzzles are too easy for their cats
Easy to clean and maintain since it’s dishwasher safe.	Not the best choice for declawed cats
It has non-skid feet so that your feline can’t cheat their way and flip it over.
The five puzzles are bound to keep your cat entertained far longer than other similar toys.
You also get a booklet with tips on how to train your cat to use the board.
Customers report that 9 out of 10 cats like this game.

How It Compares to Others and Why

• 5-in-1 puzzles with varying difficulties
• The most complicated activity board on the market
• Suitable for small and large cat breeds and multi-cat households
• Works well with all types of treats/kibble

How the Product Evolved

• Improved food challenges, when compared to other food dispensing toys for cats by Trixie

Expert Tips

• You can use liquid treats with the tongue models, making it a great toy for blind cats.
• The activity board is quite large, so be careful not to overfeed your cat.

#2 Best for Fast Eaters: TRIXIE Activity Strategy Game Tunnel

Does your cat gobble down their kibble and vomits? Then Trixie tunnel feeder can help you manage this scarf/barf behavior.

Physical Attributes

• Made from plastic
• Non-skid bottom
• Six tunnels

Quantitative Measurements

• Product dimensions are 5.5 x 11 x 11 inches
• Weighs three pounds
• 0.5 pounds of capacity

Benefits	Drawbacks
Trixie’s activity tunnel is a great treat dispenser for cats due to its smart design, portability, and versatility.	Doesn’t work very well with small kibble
You can use it to reward your cats, control their meal portion, and make them smarter.	It can be messy
The construction is stable enough, thanks to the non-skid bottom. Your cat won’t be able to trip it over but will have to tease the kibble out.
It is easy to maintain because it’s dishwasher safe. It’s BPA-free and lead-free, so it’s also very safe for your kitty.

How It Compares to Others and Why

• This food-dispensing toy is suitable for multiple pets and declawed cats
• Trip-resistant
• BPA-free plastic

How the Product Evolved

Trixie is one of the leading companies on the market for cat toys, and they constantly come with new ideas and improvements to mentally challenge pets.

Expert Tips

• Check from time to time for stuck food.

#3 Best Interactive: Catit Senses 2.0 Digger Interactive Cat Toy

The digger Interactive cat toy is a great choice for indoor/outdoor cats and kittens who enjoy hunting for food.

Physical Attributes

• Made from BPA-free plastic
• Five tubes with different lengths
• Wide trip-resistant rubber base

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 5.7 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches
• Weighs one pound

Benefits	Drawbacks
Engages all of the cat’s senses and satisfy their natural pawing behavior	Not the best choice for cats with big paws
Varying levels of difficulty	Some customers report their cats could pull the tubes and spill the food all over the floor.
Helps with fast eating, boredom, and stress
The rubber mat keeps the dispenser stable and reduces the mess around the house.
Easy to assembly/disassembly
Dishwasher safe

How It Compares to Others and Why

• Encourage your cat’s hunting instincts
• Mess-free thanks to the rubber mat
• Suitable for multiple cats

How the Product Evolved

• Compared to other Catit’s food dispensing toys for cats, this model is more compact and lighter.

Expert Tips

• Check Catit’s Senses 2.0 production line if you wish to create an interactive environment for your kitty.

#4 Best for Bored Cats: Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Feeder for Cats

Since cats love to play with cardboard boxes so much, this interactive cat treat dispenser is an excellent choice for bored felines.

Physical Attributes

• Made from cardboard
• Three difficulty levels
• Inner chambers

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 9″ x 14″ x 3.5″
• Weighs 12 ounces

Benefits	Drawbacks
Made from sturdy cardboard to withstand frequent play and entice the cat’s natural hunting instincts	Easy for cats to overturn the box and spill the treats everywhere
Easy to assemble	Not the cheapest option for a cardboard box with holes
Promotes healthy eating habits and keeps the cats entertained for hours
There’s a bonus hidden level.
You can choose from three difficulty levels, which allows your cat to improve their cognitive abilities.
Great for cats of all ages and breeds, especially for those with weight problems

How It Compares to Others and Why

• Recyclable materials and eco-friendly
• Great for beginners or advanced
• Works with all types of treats, cat chew toys, catnip, toy wands, etc

How the Product Evolved

• Available in three different models with increasing levels of difficulties
• Upgraded cardboard construction for durability

Expert Tips

• Clean the toy every day to ensure there are no treats or snacks stuck inside.

#5 Best for Intellectual Stimulation: OurPets Sushi Treat Dispensing Puzzle Dog & Cat

This puzzle feeder is a great intelligence game to keep your kitty mentally stimulated while you’re at work or reward them for good behavior.

Physical Attributes

• Made from thermoplastic rubber and polypropylene
• Nine sushi flippers

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 10.83 x 9.25 x 1.81 inches
• Weighs 1.26 pounds

Benefits	Drawbacks
Made from durable material to withstand vigorous cat play	Not great for cats with big paws or declawed ones
Encourages your cat to use their sense of smell and cognitive abilities to find the hidden treats	Some cats aren’t interested in the challenging game
It makes your cat eat slowly or entice picky eaters to eat more
Great for cat training and bonding for your pet
Easy to clean

How It Compares to Others and Why

• Suitable for cats and dogs, so it’s a great choice for a multi-pet household
• Cute design

How the Product Evolved

• Improved design to accommodate both cats and dogs
• Easier to clean than other OurPet’s dispensers

Expert Tips

• Handwash with warm water and soap every couple of days

#6 Best Budget-Friendly: PetSafe Slimcat Feeder Ball

If you’re looking for something simple and affordable, you should give PetSafe feeder ball a chance.

Physical Attributes

• Adjustable opening
• Available in four colors

Quantitative Measurements

• 2/3 cup capacity
• .4-inch openings

Benefits	Drawbacks
Stimulates your cat to run around and chase the ball to get the treats	Not the best cat treat dispenser toy for cats that don’t like pawing at balls
Dishwasher top rack safe	The ball toy makes a mess
You can adjust the opening to make it easy or hard for your cat to reach the snacks.
Promotes slow eating and weight control by making your cat work for their dinner
Can be used with delicious treats or meals

How It Compares to Others and Why

• More affordable than other cat treat dispenser toys
• Available in multiple colors
• Doesn’t take much space around the house

How the Product Evolved

• Available in a pack of three

Expert Tips

• Choose a light color if you wish to see how much dry food is left inside the ball.

#7 Best for Beginners: Amazon Basics Pet Activity Center and Feeder

Amazon Basics has another great food dispenser, which will keep your cats and dogs entertained for hours.

Physical Attributes

• Made from polypropylene
• Available in three colors
• Rubber feet

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 12.2 x 2.4 x 12.2 inches
• Weighs one pound

Benefits	Drawbacks
Reduces stress, boredom, and anxiety	Doesn’t work with all kibble sizes
Entices cats to use their senses to hunt for tasty treats	Can be messy
You can use it with treats, dry food, or catnip
Made of very durable plastic
Non-skid feet to keep the toy in place while the cat plays with it

How it Compares to Others and Why

• Large, so it’s suitable for big cats and dogs 
• Lighter than some models, so some kitties can overturn it
• Bright colors 

How the Product Evolved

• The blue pet activity center has a different layout than the other two colors.
  

Expert Tips

• Clean with a damp cloth and ensure there are no pieces of kibble stuck in the tunnels. 

#8 Best for Physical Stimulation: Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree

Are you trying to get your lazy cat moving with treat toys for cats? Then you won’t be disappointed by the Catit food tree.

Physical Attributes

• Made from plastic
• Round base
• Green in color

Quantitative Measurements

• A capacity of one cup
• Measures 12 x 12 x 13.8 inches
• Weighs 2.6 pounds

Benefits	Drawbacks
Cats have to move the piece of kibble from the top of the tree to the bottom dish, which mimics “hunting” for food and encourages cats to be more active.	Too difficult for some cats
Three size settings, so you can use the dispenser with delicious treats or your cat’s favorite food brand.	Customers report that the tree isn’t as stable as expected
Made from durable materials with an easy-to-clean construction
This cat toy treat dispenser has a no-spill dish, so there won’t be kibble everywhere on the ground.

How it Compares to Others and Why

• Suitable for multiple pets and large breeds of cats
• No-spill food dish reduces the mess around the house

How the Product Evolved

• Improved design to increase stability and prevents cats from pushing the tree on the ground

Expert Tips

•  Handwash this treat toy for cats with soup and rinse well. It might get greasy if you don’t clean it regularly. 

#9 Best for Batting: PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer

PetSafe has another excellent cat food toy dispenser, which is bound to appeal to most felines thanks to its unique design. 

Physical Attributes

• Egg-like design
• Treat meter
• Blue in color

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 3 x 3 x 3.8 inches
• Weighs 2.4 ounces
• A capacity of 1/4 to 1/2 cup 

Benefits	Drawbacks
Dispense treats from all angles for maximum pet’s satisfaction	A dispenser ball isn’t challenging enough for some cats
Great for portion control and an excellent way to get your cat to exercise	Not easy to adjust the hole openings
Works with treats and cat kibble
The blue color allows you to see how much kibble is left inside
The ball feeder toy is suitable for cats of all ages and sizes

How it Compares to Others and Why

• You can adjust the difficulty, thanks to the adjustable openings
• Unique treat meter design 
• Dishwasher safe 

How the Product Evolved

Compared to other ball toys from PetSafe, this one has an improved design with a treat meter to engage cats’ hunting instincts. 

Expert Tips

• Don’t use these cat treat dispenser toys around dogs. They can break it and swallow some of the parts.

#10 Best for Chewers: Kong Cat Wobbler

If your cat is a chewer, KONG is the right treat-dispensing cat toy. 

Physical Attributes

• Made from polyester
• Purple in color
• Floppy catnip tail 

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 9.5 x 6.5 x 4 inches
• 1/2 cup capacity

Benefits	Drawbacks
Durable but lightweight, so it’s easy for cats to bat and roll the toy around	Too heavy for some users
You can fill it with treats, catnip, or dry food	Too big for kittens
Cats like the texture and love to chase the tail

How it Compare to Others and Why

• Not as easy to clean as other cat dispenser toys we’ve reviewed 
• Well-designed to appeal to cats who like to chew and chase fluffy things

How the Product Evolved

• Bigger than the basic Kitty KONG model and heavier

Expert Tips

• KONG makes great chew toys for dogs and has an excellent selection of cat toys with catnip. 

#11 Best for Reducing Night A: Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder

To satisfy your cat’s hunting instinct, Doc and Phoebe have developed unique cat puzzle feeders, which will appeal even to picky felines.

Physical Attributes

• Made from plastic, nylon, and microfiber
• A trainer and three mice
• A scoop

Quantitative Measurements

• Measures 7.75 x 2 x 9 inches
• Weighs 12 ounces
• Each mouse holds 1.6 ounces of food/treats

Benefits	Drawbacks
Allows your cat to release their pent up energy and hunt for the hidden mice	Messy
Great for portion control and preventing scarf/barf	Doesn’t work well with small cat kibble
Very entertaining for cats, so they are less likely to wake you up at 3 a.m
Dishwasher safe

How It Compares to Others and Why

• Veterinary-designed
• Reduces anxiety and encourage physical activity

How the Product Evolved

• Available in a packet of one

Expert Tips

• Read the instructions carefully before you start using this hunting cat feeder.

How To Choose The Best Cat Treat Dispenser Toys

Now that we’ve reviewed our top food dispensing cat toys, let’s discuss the most important features to consider when shopping for one.

Material

The best cat treat dispenser toys should be made from durable materials to withstand scratches, bites, and vigorous play.

Otherwise, your cat will be able to chew through the toy and destroy it in a day.

Maintenance

Consider how easy cleaning the food dispensing cat toys will be. If it’s too hard to clean, your cat will lose interest once it gets dirty, and the stuck food will attract ants.

Levels of Challenge

Some cats don’t like to use cat treat dispensers because they’re either too hard or too easy to use. Get something easy if your cat is new to the experience.

Temperament

Cats have toy preferences and knowing what your cat likes/dislikes will help you choose the right type of treat dispenser toy.  

FAQs

Conclusion

Cat treat dispenser toys are a great way to make your indoor cat happy, help them maintain a healthy weight, and reduce destructive behavior.

And according to a study, “85% of group-housed cats (23/27) in a shelter engaged with a food puzzle without increases in aggression between cats.” 

So, food puzzle feeders can be the purr-fect solution if your cats aren’t getting along. 

Final Recommendation 

While all these cat treat dispenser toys have great benefits, there’s one we can’t recommend enough. We’re talking about Trixie’s 5-in-1 activity center.

It’s the best cat treat dispenser toy because it’s durable, engaging, and contains five activities to appeal to a wider range of cats. It is also easy to maintain.

References

• Dantas, Leticia MS, Mikel M Delgado, Ingrid Johnson, and CA Tony Buffington. 2016. “Food Puzzles for Cats.” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 18 (9): 723–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612×16643753.
• “Study: One-Third of Cat Owners Use Puzzle Feeders. What’s Really Puzzling Is Why More Don’t.” 2021. Aaha.org. 2021. https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2019-04/study-one-third-of-cat-owners-use-puzzle-feeders-whats-really-puzzling-is-why-more-dont/.

What do you think about these 11 cat treat dispenser toys? Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comment section. 

Last update on 2024-05-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API