News result cats
Slow feeders and snuffle mats: why gulping dinner is a problem
If your pet finishes dinner in under a minute, mealtime is a missed opportunity. Fast eating can mean swallowed air, stomach upset, and a bored pet who ate their day's most interesting event in forty seconds.
What slow feeding actually does
Slow feeder bowls use ridges and mazes to make pets work around obstacles for each bite. Meals stretch from seconds to minutes, which is easier on digestion and gives the brain a job. For dogs prone to gulping, that slower pace matters more than most toys you could buy.
Snuffle mats: dinner as a treasure hunt
A snuffle mat hides kibble in layers of fabric so your dog has to sniff it out piece by piece. Sniffing is genuinely tiring work for a dog, ten minutes of nose-work can settle an under-exercised dog more than you'd expect. It's also a quiet-time activity for rainy days.
Getting started
Start easy: scatter a few pieces on top so your pet wins quickly, then hide food deeper as they learn the game. Wash the mat regularly, and supervise chewers who might decide the mat itself is the snack.
Cats too
Food puzzles aren't just for dogs. Indoor cats have a hunter's brain with nowhere to use it, and working for kibble is the closest thing to a hunt most house cats get.
Not sure which feeder suits your pet? Email info@cellospets.com and tell us about them.
Why cats scratch your furniture (and how to redirect it)
Scratching isn't bad behavior, it's cat behavior. Cats scratch to mark territory, stretch their back and shoulders, and keep their claws healthy. You can't train it away, but you can absolutely redirect it.
Give the claws a better offer
A cat chooses a scratching spot by three things: texture, stability, and location. Sisal rope and corrugated cardboard beat most sofa fabrics, a post that wobbles gets abandoned immediately, and a scratcher hidden in the laundry room protects exactly nothing.
Location is the secret
Put the scratcher right next to the furniture your cat already targets, not across the room. Cats also love a good stretch right after waking, so a post near their favorite sleeping spot works with their routine instead of against it.
Make the switch stick
Rubbing a little catnip on the new post speeds things up. When your cat uses it, that's the moment for a treat. Covering the old target with a throw blanket for a couple of weeks helps break the habit while the new spot takes over.
Vertical or horizontal?
Some cats scratch standing tall, they want a post taller than their full stretch. Others prefer scratching flat, they want a pad or ramp. If you're not sure, offer one of each and let the cat vote.
Need help picking between towers and scratchers? Email info@cellospets.com, a real person answers.