See How This Chonky Cat Got Healthier With A Button and Dispenser
Chai the cat didn’t just arrive at her Baltimore shelter, she rolled in like a tiny furry tank, weighing “9 pounds of chonk.” And once she found her new home, she didn’t slow down, not even for the smaller, slower meals of her sister.
Her new sister, Leona, is a tough cookie in her own way, missing sight in one eye and dealing with a half-tail situation after a car accident that left her circling sometimes. So when Chai started eating anything she could find, including Leona’s food, the household got complicated fast.
That’s when a button and a treat dispenser turned mealtime into a whole new game.
Adopted from a shelter in Baltimore, Chai the kitty arrived at her new home weighing '9 pounds of chonk.'
She was soon introduced to Leona, her new sister, who might lack sight in one eye and half her tail but makes up for it in spirit.
Leona, the resilient grey cat, endured a car accident that left her with brain damage, evident in her occasional circling.
Despite these challenges, Leona thrives, basking in the love and care of her family and Chai. Chai's affection for her sister is boundless, occasionally verging on overzealous, but it's clear their bond is strong and filled with love.
Chai, a cat with a history of being a stray, deals with food insecurity by eating anything she can find, including her sister Leona's meals.
This habit led to Chai becoming even more chonky, necessitating intervention during mealtimes to prevent her from accessing Leona's food.
In an effort to manage Chai's eating habits and weight, her owner introduced interactive feeding toys and eventually a PetGeek automatic treat dispenser, designed for dogs but effective for cats.
This not only helped with portion control but also stimulated Chai mentally. It's crucial to note that any cat weight loss plan should be vet-approved to ensure health issues are not overlooked, and weight loss is gradual—typically no more than a pound per month—to avoid serious health risks.
After a period of careful training, Chai became adept at pressing the battery-operated button sensor, a skill she acquired as detailed below.
Upon being pressed, the button emits a sound and triggers the treat dispenser, which is adjustable. The design of the button allows it to be placed anywhere in the room, offering versatility in its positioning.
Additionally, an optional suction cup feature enables the button to be attached to windows, facilitating variety in Chai's routine and keeping her engagement levels high and continuously stimulated.
"The button keeps her busy and gives her sister time to finish her food so Chai won't steal it."
Once Chai presses the button, she dashes to the dispenser with enthusiasm, turning mealtime into an opportunity for healthy activity and play.
This setup, reminiscent of nosework training, not only entertains but also intellectually stimulates smart felines like Chai.
An added advantage of this system is that it portions out Chai's meals, encouraging her to eat more slowly. Since the introduction of this gadget, Chai has not only been shedding excess weight gradually but has also shown less interest in her sister Leona's meals.
Leona, for her part, seems unfazed by Chai's quirky behavior, coexisting peacefully with her sister's new routine.
"Here is how we trained Chai to use the treat dispenser!"
Leona could barely get through her own meals, because Chai was basically speedrunning the entire food bowl as soon as it hit the floor.
This is similar to the cat who lost a leg and still tackled each day with joy.
After interactive feeding toys failed to fully stop the “snack first, ask questions later” routine, the owner upgraded to a PetGeek automatic treat dispenser.
Once Chai learned the trick, she trained herself to press the battery-powered button, then watched the dispenser kick out adjustable treats on cue.
With the optional suction cup button setup, Chai could keep hitting the button from different spots, giving Leona real time to finish in peace.
So, it turns out cats can be trained, not just to charm their way into our hearts but to hit buttons for treats, too. Chai's journey from chonk to sleek geek proves that with a little tech and a lot of patience, even the most stubborn of felines can become gadget gurus.
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The chonkiest cat in the house became the one doing the chores, one button press at a time.
Want more petty cat justice? See how a diabetic kitty delayed insulin by an hour.
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