Inspired by the Cat Tin Warmer [linked].

This is a remote controlled or intelligently roaming mouse that incorporates a "dead mode" switch, which, when activated, opens the mouse up revealing the cat food you put in it earlier, the idea being kitty hunts it down, slaps it about a bit until food is revealed (perhaps splurged like guts).

Can either be remote controlled to make feeding your cat more fun, or programmed to work independently, like a Roomba (or flocking road cone) but enjoying dark spaces and not moving when it can hear sound. If it detects kitty (perhaps with an RFID collar on the cat) it scarpers.

Clean up might be irritating, especially if kitty makes the killer blow under the kitchen dresser, but it will keep your cat's natural instincts alive. They do this for tigers at the zoo, to an extent, why not kitty?
-- theleopard, May 20 2009

Inspiration Cat_20tin_20warmer
[theleopard, May 20 2009]

Tiger rearing http://www.ehow.com...care-pet-tiger.html
Step 4 - Hide treats (at London Zoo the zookeepers drag the meat around the enclosure to leave a scent trail before leaving it at the top of a tree) [theleopard, May 20 2009]

A touch bigger than this http://www.drsfoste...8040-37597P-cat.jpg
With a compartment for cat food. No compartments for bees, or jam. Also, should be slightly furrier, I feel. [theleopard, May 21 2009]

I like the idea but something a little larger than a mouse might be better for two reasons. A) something larger allows for a top opening with the food exposed without spilling, and B) something large enough that the cat doesn't try to swallow it whole.
-- MechE, May 20 2009


Oops, I was actually envisioning just a big mouse for those precise reasons, but entirely neglected to include it! Cheers.

Although, you don't want it too big that it can't fit under any furniture. It needs the ability to hide. Otherwise you'll need to build fake mouse holes all over the place.
-- theleopard, May 20 2009


I would build one right now if I had an RFID chip and knew ALOT more about remote control :)

Great idea.
-- DIYMatt, May 20 2009


You could fill it with cheap microwavable fois gras.
-- zen_tom, May 21 2009


Already available: Some years ago I bought a simple cat toy which behaves very much as described but with less complication. The mouse is clockwork. When hit, it trundles off in a pseudo-random direction for a couple of seconds then stops again. It has the usual collision/steer mechanism (castoring drive wheels) and has a space in it's back for a couple of small cat treats (not enough for a meal, though).

I could envisage a smarter version which might be capable of returning to a base station where it can recharge both power and food. Also possibilities for automated control of cat nutrition and different RFID tags for different cats so as to prevent the greedy bastard from next door scoffing the lot.
-- Twizz, May 21 2009


<",+,)~
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 21 2009



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