DIY toy guide
Egg Carton Foraging Puzzle
Turn an empty egg box into a brain-teasing feeder
A cardboard egg carton makes an instant foraging puzzle. Each cup hides a little food, so your cat must reach, paw, and problem-solve for every bite — restoring the mental work of hunting.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- 1 empty cardboard egg carton (6 or 12 cup)
- Dry kibble or small treats
- Scissors (optional, to lower some cup walls)
- A few ping-pong balls or crumpled paper (optional, for extra challenge)
🔧 How to make it
- Wipe out the empty egg carton and check it is clean and dry.
- Drop a few pieces of kibble or a treat into each cup.
- For a first attempt, leave the lid open and cups shallow so your cat succeeds easily and stays motivated.
- To increase difficulty, place ping-pong balls or crumpled paper balls over some cups so your cat must move them aside to reach the food.
- Set the carton on the floor and let your cat paw, nose, and fish the food out.
- Recycle the carton when it becomes soggy or worn and make a fresh one.
💡 Tips
Start easy and build difficulty only once your cat understands the game — frustration makes cats give up. Use it at mealtimes to slow fast eaters, and rotate it with other puzzles so it stays novel.
Safety: Use only plain cardboard cartons, not foam or plastic ones, which can be chewed and swallowed. Supervise the first few sessions and remove any pieces your cat tries to eat. Use dry food only.
📝 Notes
Single-use once damp — recycle and replace. Best with dry kibble; wet food soaks through the cardboard.