Feline enrichment through curiosity, choice, and play.
Use this enrichment game to engage your feline's senses to encourage natural behaviors for feline happiness.
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Disclosure: This material is for educational purposes only - it is not medical advice! Always consult your veterinarian for feline guidance. Never leave your feline unattended with game materials! Terms of Service
Game Name
Treat Launcher
Game Category
Community Housing / Lounge
Game Version
1.0
Game Objective
Challenge your feline to hunt, and consume, all flying treats in the forest.
Game Players
1 Brave Whiskers Socializer & 1 Green or Orange Jalapeno Feline (Optional: Additional, Bonded Felines)
Materials / Components / Setup
- Collect 1 cardboard toilet paper roll, balloon, scissors, and 10-20 temptations treats.
- Cut the top off the top of the balloon (closed end).
- Knot the deflated balloon's tip (as if it were inflated).
- Stretch the remaining portion over one end of the cardboard toilet paper roll.
- Tape the balloon onto the cardboard toilet paper roll so it does not slip off during playtime!
- Fill the launcher with treats.
How to Play / Rules
- Place a treat inside the tube.
- Holding the balloon on the tube, pull back the balloon and release. The treat should launch across the room!
- Encourage the feline player(s) to hunt, and consume, the treat.
Scoring / Winning the Game
- 1 point = feline consumes treat dropped at your feet.
- 2 points = feline consumes treat from a short launch with a visible landing.
- 3 points = feline consumes treat from any launch that lands on a vertical space.
- 4 points = feline consumes treat from any launch that lands in a hidden space.
- 100 points = feline gets you to retrieve the treat from a hidden space!
- Be sure to record the score and include the total points possible in your notes!
Special Situations / Safety / Fair Play Guidelines
- Never let the feline player(s) have access to the balloon or launcher - player(s) only play with the treats. Additionally, dispose of after use in a secure container.
- Stop playing immediately if the launcher becomes damaged.
- Monitor group interactions to ensure all cats have access.
- Only launch to safe play surfaces and areas.
- Monitor for resource guarding or bullying in multi-feline game sessions.
Variations / Levels
- Newbies: only launch short distances to visible areas.
- Advanced Felines: launch into hidden areas, such as tunnels. You can also launch multiple treats at once!
- You may also launch favorite toys (such as mice rolled in catnip or tear-apart toys), rather than treats!
- This game can be incorporated into formal clicker training plans.
Safety Reminder
All enrichment activities should be supervised by shelter staff. Remove any damaged components immediately and discontinue use if a cat attempts to ingest any portion of the enrichment item. Select materials appropriate for the individual cat's age, health status and behavioral history.
Veterinary care comes first! Sudden or concerning behavior changes can have medical causes. Boobahs, LLC does not diagnose medical conditions.