Cats are hunters, and they enjoy searching for and discovering prey. So how can you provide your indoor cat with that fun, without having to bring in mice or birds?

Well there’s hope — a puzzle feeder may just add some adventure to your cat’s day!

It’s a very simple concept. The puzzle feeder is designed to allow your cat to discover and paw at his food — in order to capture it.

Try one of these:

Make your own box. Take a small cardboard box and, in random places, cut holes larger in width than your cat’s paw into it. Tape the flaps of the box closed, toss some dry kibble in — and let the games begin.

Make a tube. Just cut holes in a cardboard paper-towel or toilet-paper tube. Secure the ends closed, making sure the tube still rolls easily. Then just place the dry kibble inside.

Get a Play-n-Treat. This puzzle-feeder ball is available in pet retail stores and online. It’s a plastic ball with a small, kibble-size hole in it that you snap apart and fill halfway with dry food. As your cat rolls it around, dry kibble will periodically fall out.

Get a Peek-a-Prize. This wooden puzzle box was originally created to use with toys, but I use it as a puzzle feeder. Just toss some dry food in the holes.

You can simulate search-and-discovery with your cat’s wet food as well. Just place a little wet food in a small “Kong” dog toy. Just make sure the container you use is indestructible, so your cat can’t chew through it.

And remember, only let your cat play with puzzle feeders if you do NOT have a large dog who might ingest the toy.