Cats

Fillable cat toys: how to get your cat interested, step by step

Why cats snub new food toys, and a simple step-by-step way to win them over.

By 5 min read
FreezPounce cat toy filled with frozen tuna water

You fill a new toy with your cat's favourite food, set it down proudly, and your cat gives it one sniff and walks off to sit in a cardboard box. Sound familiar? Cats are careful about new things, and fillable cat toys are no exception. The good news is that almost any cat can learn to love one with the right food, the right moment and a little patience. This guide shows you how.

To get a cat interested in a fillable toy, start easy: use their favourite wet food, fill the toy unfrozen, smear a little on the outside and offer it just before a usual mealtime. Once your cat empties it happily, chill the next fill, then partly freeze it, then fully freeze it. Never force the toy on your cat. Short, positive sessions work best.

What is a fillable cat toy?

A fillable cat toy is a toy with hollows, grooves or compartments that you pack with soft food. Your cat licks, paws and bats at it to get the food out, which turns a quick snack into a longer, more natural activity. Freeze it, and the session lasts even longer.

Our FreezPaw range for cats includes several shapes. Each one is non-toxic and biodegradable, and holds your own choice of fill.

ToyShape and sizeBest for
FreezPounceA fillable slow feeder that holds fillers securelyFirst-timers, anxious cats and fast eaters
FreezSpinA 178 mm wheel with several compartments for liquid or solid fillsBigger portions and multi-cat homes
Freezring Cat Zen Relief ToyA 94 mm ring that holds up to 50 grams of treats or wet foodCats who love to bat and paw
FreezTwinkleA compact 51 mm coral starPlayful cats who like to chase and chew
FreezPaw Cat Relax Lick PadA flat 95 mm paw with groovesCalm lickers and kittens

Why does my cat ignore a new toy?

Most cats ignore a new toy because it smells strange, the food is too hard to reach, or the timing is wrong. It rarely means your cat will never use it.

  • New smell: cats rely heavily on scent, and a fresh toy smells of nothing familiar.
  • Too difficult: a rock-hard frozen fill gives no early reward, so your cat gives up.
  • Wrong food: a fill your cat does not love will not tempt them to try.
  • Wrong time: straight after a big meal, most cats would rather nap.
  • Wrong place: a busy hallway or a slippery floor can put a cautious cat off.

How do you get your cat interested in a fillable toy?

Make the first experience easy and rewarding, then add challenge slowly. These four steps work for most cats.

1. Let them meet it

  • Leave the empty toy near your cat's bed or feeding spot for a day.
  • Rub it gently on a blanket they sleep on so it picks up a familiar smell.

2. Make it easy

  • Fill it right to the top with their favourite wet food, unfrozen.
  • Smear a little on the outside so the first lick is instant.

3. Pick the right moment

  • Offer it just before a usual mealtime, when your cat is hungry and alert.
  • A short play session first can help, so the toy feels like the reward after a hunt.

4. Add challenge slowly

  • Once your cat empties it happily, chill the next fill in the fridge.
  • Then move to partly frozen, and finally fully frozen.

Count the food in the toy as part of your cat's daily ration, and reduce the bowl portion to match.

How cold should a frozen cat toy be?

Many cats prefer food that is not straight from the freezer, so let a frozen toy sit for a few minutes before serving. The fill should still be firm, but the surface will soften enough for your cat to get a first taste.

Freezbone tip

The FreezPounce and FreezSpin can also be warmed in the microwave for a soft, comforting meal, which can tempt fussy cats in a chilly Irish or Scandinavian winter. Always let the food cool down before your cat eats it.

Which fillable toy suits my cat's play style?

Watch how your cat plays, then match the toy to it. Some cats are patient lickers, some are pawers and some love to bat things across the floor.

  • Lickers settle well with a lick pad or the FreezPounce. Our guide to lick mats for cats explains how to use one.
  • Batters and pawers enjoy the Freezring, which is made to stand up to batting, chewing and pawing.
  • Sharing households do well with the FreezSpin, whose compartments give more than one cat a section to work on.
  • Chasers often like the small FreezTwinkle star, which is built to withstand eager claws and teeth.
“Both our cats and dogs love Freezbone. It’s durable enough to survive our tough chewer and easy to clean!”
Amanda W., verified buyer

What should you put in a fillable cat toy?

Fill it with soft, meat-based foods made for cats, or plain cooked meat or fish with nothing added. Your cat's usual wet food is the simplest choice, and smooth pâté stays in the toy best. Leave out onion, garlic, chives, chocolate, grapes, raisins, alcohol and anything salted or seasoned. For more ideas, see our Freezbone recipe videos and choose only the cat-safe fills.

If your cat eats so fast that food comes back up, a frozen fillable toy can slow meals down. Our guide to slow feeding for cats covers the full routine.

How do you clean and care for a fillable cat toy?

Rinse out leftover food straight after use, then wash the toy in the dishwasher. The FreezPounce, FreezSpin, Freezring and FreezPaw Cat Relax Lick Pad are all dishwasher-safe. Check toys regularly for bite marks or loose pieces, and replace any that are damaged.

Keep two or three toys in rotation and store a couple ready-filled in the freezer. You will always have one on hand, and swapping shapes keeps your cat interested.

Fillable toys work best as part of a bigger routine. Our ideas for indoor cat enrichment in a small flat show how play, climbing and food toys fit together. You can see the full range in our FreezPaw collection for cats.

Give it a week of short, easy sessions before you decide your cat is not interested. Most cats only need to discover once that the strange new object is full of something delicious.

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes, fillable toys can be a good form of enrichment for cats. They let your cat lick, paw and work for food, which slows eating and gives them something to do. Use cat-safe fills and count the food as part of your cat's daily ration.

  • A toy that gives an easy early reward works best for a beginner. The FreezPounce is a good first choice, filled unfrozen with your cat's favourite wet food. A flat lick pad is another gentle way to start.

  • Some cats share happily, while others guard food. A toy with several compartments, such as the 178 mm FreezSpin, gives each cat more space to work. If either cat gets tense, give each one their own toy in a separate room.

  • A frozen fill can keep a cat busy for up to 45 minutes, depending on the cat, the toy and the fill. Thinner, fully frozen fills usually last longest. Start with unfrozen fills while your cat learns how the toy works.

  • Go back a step and make the food easier to reach. Fill the toy right to the top so food sits at the opening, and use a softer, unfrozen fill. As your cat gains confidence, gradually make the fill firmer and deeper.

  • Yes, kittens can use fillable toys with soft kitten food. Keep sessions short and supervised, and use unfrozen or lightly chilled fills at first. Check the toy after each use for any damage.

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Written by Freezbone Team

We design freezable, refillable natural-rubber chew toys and test every fill and routine on our own dogs before we write about it. Freezbone Limited ships across the European Union from Ireland.

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