|
|
I have tried to answer all the questions you will have but if you have others please do not hesitate to e-mail me at phatcattoys@hotmail.com. Thanks.
1. How do I get my lazy cat to use the toys?
Once you get the toy, fill it with food and let your cat see you doing this. Although it will be obvious to your cat that food is in the toy by seeing and smelling it, any reminder will help. Roll the toy on the floor a few times to show your cat that food comes out of the toy. Do this for a couple of minutes. Then walk away. If you stay with the cat and toy you will probably see him looking at you longingly for food and use that pathetic head tilt as if he's saying "Please feed me, I need your help". Do not fall for this! Do not give in to the pathetic 'meow's. This toy is as much about training your cat to expend energy to 'hunt and catch' his food as it is about training the owner to allow the cat's natural instinct to take over. We've coddled our indoor cats for too long and they're not used to doing anything for themselves. If you feel guilty and think he 'might starve', think of this: If you left a sealed bag of cat food on the floor and went to work would it still be in one piece when you got home? Probably not! This exercise will lead to a happier, more confident cat who feels like he's actually accomplished something! One other point : Remove any other food! Get their food bowl out of sight. Cats are like any other animal, including humans, and will get their food from the easiest source possible. It helps to do this at mealtime because that's when kitty will be most motivated. And if there isn't a mealtime and your cat gets to 'graze' all day, put a stop to that! (See our 'Feline Education' page)
2. I think you forgot to send me a cap, the food falls out of the top.
Nope, you got what you ordered! The red cap with the hole comes with the 'Snack Attack' toy: a portion feeding tool that lets you know if you've put too much food in the toy. Anything over 1/4 cup will tip out when the toy is placed horizontally because 1/4 cup is the suggested serving size for the agerage cat. If you would like to be able to stuff your cat silly or feed multiple cats simultaneously you should order the 'Banquet' which will hold up to 1/2 cup. If you order either toy you can order an extra cap that allows you to alternate between the two toys. For multiple cats, I recommend multiple toys (c'mon, I sell them! What do you expect me to say?). Although it's fun to see 2 cats battle for food, it's less stressful to them if you let them have their own toys.
3. How do I clean my toy?
Remove the vinyl cap at each end of the toy (not the red plug) and soak the toy in soapy water. Rinse and leave upside down to dry. We never clean our toys! I just don't see the point! But then again we have a lot of them.
4. What can I put in the toy?
Any dry food or treat. Many treats are oily and you may feel the need to clean the toy more often. You can also put catnip underneath the bottom cap - the 4 holes in the bottoms of the tubes let the odor slip out and encourage more enthusiastic play.
5. Are you going to have any other toys for cats?
I'm planning a version that hangs from a chair like a punching bag that the cats can bat at. The perfection and the patent are in the works.
6. Where can I buy the 'Feeding Frenzy'?
Right here, on our 'Feeding Frenzy' page. In stores we can be found at Mud Bay pet stores in Seattle, WA and will soon be at 'Cole Valley Pets' in San Francisco, CA
7. YOUR QUESTION HERE. THINK OF A NEW QUESTION THAT I USE ON THIS PAGE AND I'LL SEND YOU A FREE TOY.
I hope I have answered your questions, but if I haven't please ask. E-mail me at phatcattoys@hotmail.com
Roger Pearce