Is your cat's rowdy behavior causing their dual feeder to constantly tip over? Read these simple tricks to firmly anchor any double dish in place.
As a cat owner, you want to supply food and water readily available in your furry friend's favorite locations.
A convenient cat gear solution comes as dual feeders featuring adjoining bowls for both grub and hydration.
Unfortunately, rambunctious kitties may view these combo units as new toys to bat around!
Pushed over feeders create messy spills and leave cats temporarily without accessible food or water.
While cat-proofing tactics do require some trial and error, several affordable approaches can readily anchor dual dining setups. Soon your cat's carefree chaos will no longer upend needed nourishment.
Top Reasons Cats Push Around Dual Feeders
Before exploring handy solutions, let's break down motivations behind troublesome tipping behaviors:
Instinctual hunting drive - Pouncing upon and tossing feeders mimics natural predatory actions. Choose models with heavy materials.
Attention seeking - Cats learn rowdy feeder play earns owner reactions. Provide alternative activities.
Boredom - Insufficient mental stimuli and solo play options spur destructive behaviors. Use distraction tactics.
Medical conditions - Issues like arthritis cause pain when bending down to eat. Consult a vet.
Stress - Anxieties from environment changes prompt outbursts. Try calming aids.
Reason | Probability | Fix Difficulty |
Hunting Instincts | High | Hard |
Attention Seeking | High | Moderate |
Boredom | Medium | Easy |
Medical Problems | Low | Hard |
Stress | Medium | Moderate |
Per the chart, the easiest fix tackles boredom, while medical issues prove most complex. Next let's explore hands-on solutions!
Stop The Tipping: DIY Hacks To Secure Wobbly Feeders
With the right cat gear upgrades, even the rowdiest kitty won't topple their feeding station. Convenient solutions include:
1. Add grip pads
Self-adhesive foam, rubber pads (or cabinet liner) stationed under the feeder base increase friction that resists pushing.
2. Build barriers
Pieces of molding, trim, or PVC piping glued around the feeder perimeter prevent forceful shoving.
3. Weigh it down
Heavy items like dumbbells or cinder blocks placed on the feeder base add anchoring heft.
4. Offer mat feeding stations
Plastic placemats with sealed edges catch spills and provide surface area limiting feeder movement.
5. Install corner braces
Affix metal angle brackets on adjoining walls/corners to firmly cage in feeders. Protect any exposed hardware edges posing safety risks to cats.
6. Use securing putty
Reusable adhesive putties like Sticky Paws cling feeders to most floor types, but allow removal as needed for cleaning.
For best success, combine multiple deterrents like added weight and grip pads. Adjust until discovering the most tip-proof feeder setup able to withstand your cat's chaos!
More Tips For Dealing With Rowdy Feeding Time Antics
While feeder modifications tackle the root issue, also focus behavioral adjustments and environmental enrichment to calm chaos including:
Redirect pouncing impulse onto preferred cat toys
Experiment with puzzle feeders making mealtime mentally stimulating
Use calming pheromones and treats if stress is suspected
Limit reactions and attention rewarded for unwanted antics
Schedule enrichment activities diverting focus from the feeder
Monitor for possible pain/discomfort motivating atypical behaviors
Increase solo play options while away like food-dispensing balls
Don't despair over a constantly tipped cat cafe! With some handy handiwork, both your cat and their dual dining setup can coexist in stability and satisfaction.
Tackle troublesome behaviors from all angles for the best harmony. Most importantly, be patient - it may take some trial-and-error to resolve issues.
As long as your cat's basic needs like cat gear are met, consistency with training tactics will prevail.
Comments