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Guy Builds Cat Feeding Machine That Requires His Kitty To Hunt For Food

Ben Millam who refers to himself as an “aspiring geek” built an incredible machine that takes cat feeding to a whole new level. He trained his cat Monkey to look for plastic balls hidden around the house and throw them into the machine. Once the machine recognizes the RFID-tagged balls, the feeder is activated and the ball is filled with cat treats.

Monkey was trained using ‘clicker’ training that is based on associating a desirable behaviour with a distinctive click and a reward. It took some time and patience but as Millam says, Monkey successfully managed to put up with all his experiments.

“This all started after I read an explanation of why cats go about repeatedly exploring the same areas: it’s partly to establish and survey their territory, but they’re also practicing ‘mobile’ hunting,” Millam said. “So what if my cat, while out on patrol, actually found its prey? Surely this would bring him one step closer towards a more fulfilled and self-actualized indoor kitty existence.”

More info: benjaminmillam.com (h/t: laughingsquid)

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What do you think ?

POST

Shana 9 years ago

Think one of my cats would be too lazy to do that. Sometimes it's hard to get her out of her lair (= hidden sleeping spot in a cupboard :P) even if I'm holding treats.

14points

$copper.fractions avatar$

TinyDynamine 9 years ago

Ha, so typical of cats. This could be a good way to get them to get off their lazy backsides though!

4points

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KatarinaVelkov 9 years ago

I would probably starve :"D

11points

JolijnNjamin-GeurtsvanKessel 9 years ago

This is so awesome!! But how do you train the cat so that he knows what to do?

11points

MerveGüleroğlu 9 years ago

You use a clicker to trigger the behavior and treatments(as a reward) to reinforce it. Repeat it alot, and it will learn it. You can search clicker training for cats on Youtube^^

12points

Load More Replies...

BetsyScalzo 8 years ago

I think this guy has a Kickstarter project idea! Now, how do we get him going?

3points

RomaBurnsEliker 9 years ago

My 3 cats are 13 yrs old and are outdoor cats. We live in the country and they hunt all day. I agree that is something they need to do and this machine is a gr8 idea for helping an indoor cat kept from being bored. What a gr8 idea.

1point

SallyVogel 9 years ago

Great idea! Captive animals need to exercise their brains. Better to hunt a ball than to be outside hunting birds.

1point

JamesWood 9 years ago

This is a great enrichment for your cat. Animals in the wild have things to do, hunt for food, find mates, avoid predators, deal with weather, etc. Sometime in captivity they get board and develop less than desirable behaviors. Often giving them things to do, like this, helps a lot.

1point

ShannonSweeney 9 years ago

Treats need to be fresh, and, the balls cleaned regularly and OFTEN. Otherwise this little guy could be poisoned, as happened and reported on one dog whose owner did not clean the plastic bin everytime he refilled it with new kibble. (Don't get me started on kibble . . . our pets rarely get that. They eat almost all raw, with some canned mixed in for variety in flavors.)

1point

KariMoore 9 years ago

Did you watch the video? The article is false. The treats don't go into the ball. The ball triggers a release of food or treats into the bowl.

1point

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NancyKClark 9 years ago

I recently heard an interview with a veterinarian who said that it's a good idea to hide small servings of cat food around the house, as cats are less bored if they have to seek out their food. This seems like a good alternative solution.

1point

Andy Harms 6 years ago

Great way to get them moving and a wonderful automatic cat feeder. Andy Harms http://bowchickameowmeow.com

0points

Andy Harms 6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Jill Willis 7 years ago

Love it! Jaime Jackson (author) created a concept called Paddock Paradise for horses to also live and eat in a manner that puts them as close as possible to the manner in which they would live in the wild. https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPaddockParadisePage/

0points

Ueda San 8 years ago

My cat would starve to death even if he knew how to use the machine . Or would knock the whole thing over until the food spilled over

0points

Heather 8 years ago

Awesome I love it. It's good for their prey instinct. Exercise to keep them slim. Monkey Has a cool pet parent.

0points

JuliaNiemczynowska 8 years ago

This is awesome!

0points

ZeldaLoftwing 8 years ago

What a wonderful idea! I might do that once I get my own cat!

0points

AnabelleClendening 8 years ago

this is freaking awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0points

JamisonFrances 8 years ago

I am very impressed with both owner and cat!

0points

RobertBanning 8 years ago

What a wonderful creation!

0points

Cats4Life 8 years ago

my cats would love this! one of them always has a ball in her mouth!

0points

LisaHannigan 9 years ago

My cat would adore this! Can you make me one? PM me on Facebook. Lisa DiStefano Hannigan

0points

123192_1 9 years ago

thats cool (◠‿◠✿)

0points

TessaKrellner 9 years ago

wow thats so impressive

0points

SonjaTrpovski 9 years ago

GENIAL !!! This should be in every home (a home is where your cat is) ;)

0points

aquarianibis 9 years ago

WANT!

0points

captaingrumpy 9 years ago

How many balls does she have to find to get a decent feed.?

0points

AllisonJennings 8 years ago

Probably doesn't need much food-cats eat small amounts of food frequently, since their tummies are so small

0points

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AliceK.Klatt 9 years ago

This is amazing idea! Smart kitty!! I "have" a wild crow who calls me under my window, when she has hunger and this works like a feeding machine for this cat :D Animals are much smarter, then many people think.

0points

GlynisLailann 9 years ago

Clever kitty. What an ingenius idea to stimulate kitty's brain power.

0points

EthanWilkins 9 years ago

If I manage my cat to do this, I can do anything!

0points

TeaBerries 9 years ago

And then you go on vacation and forget to remove the balls from the box... lol

0points

CrazyTomato 9 years ago

So clever!

0points

DebbyLabrie 9 years ago

Awsome!!

0points

PhyllisSteging 9 years ago

That's quite a contraptions but having it operated by a very smnart kitty. Wants a treat, has to work. Great idea!!! Great owner.

0points

CharleneAdams 9 years ago

awesome way for your cat to act naturally love it

0points

GingerBurch 9 years ago

I need one of those machines!

0points

GingerBurch 9 years ago

I would love one of those machines!

0points

meg 9 years ago

Fantastic! . bet it was almost as much fun for you ;-)

0points

ShirinNilsson 9 years ago

I would absolutly get this for my dog

0points

LoriDuchrow 9 years ago

I think they should make one for people so I could lose some weight

0points

Juan-CarlosSaez 9 years ago

ja ja that cat really work for food, if me I would be starving

0points

EdwinLesperance 9 years ago

Wow. I'd LOVE it!

0points

MaxineFultz 9 years ago

Must of taken quite a while for kitty to figure out how to do it!

0points

ValleyGirl 9 years ago

I want one! My cat would love doing this—he likes to play games and do simple tasks.

0points

MichelleMironenko 9 years ago

I need one of those!!!

0points

PatKlein 9 years ago

wonderful mental stimulation -- too bad the cat's reward is dry food.

0points

AnaMoraca 9 years ago

This is so amazing! Great job, very creative! I would love to have a knowledge to make my kitty something challenging like this.

0points

AlinaGrace 9 years ago

Ohmigosh I need to dis to my cat!!!

0points

Magical“magicalnarwhalperson”NarwhalPerson 9 years ago

Wow that's cool

0points

DominicMendonsa 9 years ago

Using a Raspberry Pi or something else?

0points

RoosaTolvanen 9 years ago

This is very useful when the cat's owner is gone and there's no one to feed him/her. Smart!

0points

PamelaChang 9 years ago

Awesome!!!

0points

ColeenJohnston 9 years ago

I want one! Just needs to be able to dispense wet food since that is better for them.

-1point

0tothe9th 9 years ago

Wonderful. Pets are bored to death. This is a marvelous idea for keeping his cat active, and busy.

-1point

ShannonSweeney 9 years ago

As long as treats are fresh, and, the balls are cleaned daily. Otherwise risk of poisoning the pet. Has happened.

-1point

samyuktaRao 9 years ago

that's cruel! :-/

-2points

NatalieEstrada 9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

calinalexandru 9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

POST

Shana 9 years ago

Think one of my cats would be too lazy to do that. Sometimes it's hard to get her out of her lair (= hidden sleeping spot in a cupboard :P) even if I'm holding treats.

14points

$copper.fractions avatar$

TinyDynamine 9 years ago

Ha, so typical of cats. This could be a good way to get them to get off their lazy backsides though!

4points

Load More Replies...

KatarinaVelkov 9 years ago

I would probably starve :"D

11points

JolijnNjamin-GeurtsvanKessel 9 years ago

This is so awesome!! But how do you train the cat so that he knows what to do?

11points

MerveGüleroğlu 9 years ago

You use a clicker to trigger the behavior and treatments(as a reward) to reinforce it. Repeat it alot, and it will learn it. You can search clicker training for cats on Youtube^^

12points

Load More Replies...

BetsyScalzo 8 years ago

I think this guy has a Kickstarter project idea! Now, how do we get him going?

3points

RomaBurnsEliker 9 years ago

1point

SallyVogel 9 years ago

Great idea! Captive animals need to exercise their brains. Better to hunt a ball than to be outside hunting birds.

1point

JamesWood 9 years ago

1point

ShannonSweeney 9 years ago

1point

KariMoore 9 years ago

Did you watch the video? The article is false. The treats don't go into the ball. The ball triggers a release of food or treats into the bowl.

1point

Load More Replies...

NancyKClark 9 years ago

1point

Andy Harms 6 years ago

Great way to get them moving and a wonderful automatic cat feeder. Andy Harms http://bowchickameowmeow.com

0points

Andy Harms 6 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Jill Willis 7 years ago

0points

Ueda San 8 years ago

My cat would starve to death even if he knew how to use the machine . Or would knock the whole thing over until the food spilled over

0points

Heather 8 years ago

Awesome I love it. It's good for their prey instinct. Exercise to keep them slim. Monkey Has a cool pet parent.

0points

JuliaNiemczynowska 8 years ago

This is awesome!

0points

ZeldaLoftwing 8 years ago

What a wonderful idea! I might do that once I get my own cat!

0points

AnabelleClendening 8 years ago

this is freaking awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0points

JamisonFrances 8 years ago

I am very impressed with both owner and cat!

0points

RobertBanning 8 years ago

What a wonderful creation!

0points

Cats4Life 8 years ago

my cats would love this! one of them always has a ball in her mouth!

0points

LisaHannigan 9 years ago

My cat would adore this! Can you make me one? PM me on Facebook. Lisa DiStefano Hannigan

0points

123192_1 9 years ago

thats cool (◠‿◠✿)

0points

TessaKrellner 9 years ago

wow thats so impressive

0points

SonjaTrpovski 9 years ago

GENIAL !!! This should be in every home (a home is where your cat is) ;)

0points

aquarianibis 9 years ago

WANT!

0points

captaingrumpy 9 years ago

How many balls does she have to find to get a decent feed.?

0points

AllisonJennings 8 years ago

Probably doesn't need much food-cats eat small amounts of food frequently, since their tummies are so small

0points

Load More Replies...

AliceK.Klatt 9 years ago

0points

GlynisLailann 9 years ago

Clever kitty. What an ingenius idea to stimulate kitty's brain power.

0points

EthanWilkins 9 years ago

If I manage my cat to do this, I can do anything!

0points

TeaBerries 9 years ago

And then you go on vacation and forget to remove the balls from the box... lol

0points

CrazyTomato 9 years ago

So clever!

0points

DebbyLabrie 9 years ago

Awsome!!

0points

PhyllisSteging 9 years ago

That's quite a contraptions but having it operated by a very smnart kitty. Wants a treat, has to work. Great idea!!! Great owner.

0points

CharleneAdams 9 years ago

awesome way for your cat to act naturally love it

0points

GingerBurch 9 years ago

I need one of those machines!

0points

GingerBurch 9 years ago

I would love one of those machines!

0points

meg 9 years ago

Fantastic! . bet it was almost as much fun for you ;-)

0points

ShirinNilsson 9 years ago

I would absolutly get this for my dog

0points

LoriDuchrow 9 years ago

I think they should make one for people so I could lose some weight

0points

Juan-CarlosSaez 9 years ago

ja ja that cat really work for food, if me I would be starving

0points

EdwinLesperance 9 years ago

Wow. I'd LOVE it!

0points

MaxineFultz 9 years ago

Must of taken quite a while for kitty to figure out how to do it!

0points

ValleyGirl 9 years ago

I want one! My cat would love doing this—he likes to play games and do simple tasks.

0points

MichelleMironenko 9 years ago

I need one of those!!!

0points

PatKlein 9 years ago

wonderful mental stimulation -- too bad the cat's reward is dry food.

0points

AnaMoraca 9 years ago

This is so amazing! Great job, very creative! I would love to have a knowledge to make my kitty something challenging like this.

0points

AlinaGrace 9 years ago

Ohmigosh I need to dis to my cat!!!

0points

Magical“magicalnarwhalperson”NarwhalPerson 9 years ago

Wow that's cool

0points

DominicMendonsa 9 years ago

Using a Raspberry Pi or something else?

0points

RoosaTolvanen 9 years ago

This is very useful when the cat's owner is gone and there's no one to feed him/her. Smart!

0points

PamelaChang 9 years ago

Awesome!!!

0points

ColeenJohnston 9 years ago

I want one! Just needs to be able to dispense wet food since that is better for them.

-1point

0tothe9th 9 years ago

Wonderful. Pets are bored to death. This is a marvelous idea for keeping his cat active, and busy.

-1point

ShannonSweeney 9 years ago

As long as treats are fresh, and, the balls are cleaned daily. Otherwise risk of poisoning the pet. Has happened.

-1point

samyuktaRao 9 years ago

that's cruel! :-/

-2points

NatalieEstrada 9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

calinalexandru 9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Guy Builds Cat Feeding Machine That Requires His Kitty To Hunt For Food

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Julija Televičiūtė

Julija Televičiūtė