Catit Senses 2.0 Digger vs Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center: Which Puzzle Toy Is Better?

Quick verdict: The Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center wins for overall versatility and long-term engagement, thanks to its five distinct puzzle modules that keep intelligent cats challenged longer. However, the Catit Senses 2.0 Digger is the better choice for slow feeding specifically — it’s simpler, easier to clean, and more effective as a mealtime puzzle. If budget allows, we recommend owning both and rotating them.

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Both the Catit Senses 2.0 Digger and the Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center earned spots on our Best Cat Toys for Indoor Cats 2026 roundup — and both scored an identical 4.5 out of 5 rating. So what’s the difference, and which one should you buy?

We tested both products head-to-head with our panel of 8 indoor cats over 30 days. Here’s the full breakdown.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Difficulty Levels

Catit Digger: The Digger’s difficulty comes from the variation in tube widths — wider tubes are easy, narrower tubes require more precise paw work. You control difficulty by choosing which tubes to fill. This is a nice system, but it’s fundamentally one puzzle type. In our testing, most cats developed their optimal scooping technique within 1-2 weeks, after which the challenge plateaus.

Trixie Activity Center: The Trixie offers five distinct puzzle types, each requiring a different physical strategy:

1. Pegs — Cat must navigate paws around vertical pegs to reach food
2. Tunnels — Cat pushes treats through open-ended tubes
3. Alcoves — Cat scoops treats from small recessed spaces
4. Tongues — Cat uses tongue or paw to slide treats off raised platforms
5. Dimpled surface — Cat rolls treats across a textured surface to the edge

This variety means even after a cat masters one module, four others still present challenges. Our smartest test cat (Mochi, a Siamese) was still developing new strategies for the tongue module after three weeks.

Winner: Trixie — The five module types provide significantly more challenge variety and longer-lasting engagement for intelligent cats.

Durability

Catit Digger: After 30 days of daily use across multiple cats, the Digger showed fine scratches on the inside of the tubes from repeated pawing. This is purely cosmetic — no structural damage, cracking, or warping. The tubes still snap in securely and the base remains solid.

Trixie Activity Center: The Trixie’s thicker plastic construction showed less visible wear than the Catit Digger after the same testing period. The integrated module design (where pieces are part of the main board rather than removable) means there’s less opportunity for individual components to weaken or loosen. The non-slip rubber feet remain firmly attached.

Winner: Trixie — Slightly more durable construction, though both products hold up well.

Cleaning

Catit Digger: This is where the Digger really shines. Pull the tubes out (they pop free easily), toss them and the lid in the dishwasher, hand wash the base. Total time: about 30 seconds if hand washing, or zero effort if using the dishwasher. We cleaned ours weekly.

Trixie Activity Center: The Trixie’s multiple recessed areas — alcoves, tunnel interiors, spaces around pegs — require more hands-on attention. You’ll need a small brush or old toothbrush to get kibble dust and treat residue out of the nooks. The board is too large for most dishwashers. Plan on 3-5 minutes for a thorough hand wash.

Neither is difficult to clean, but the difference adds up over time.

Winner: Catit Digger — Significantly easier and faster to clean, with dishwasher-safe components.

Price and Value

Both products fall in the $12-20 price range, making them affordable cat enrichment tools. The Catit Digger is typically $2-5 less than the Trixie at most retailers.

In terms of cost-per-entertainment-hour, both offer excellent value compared to disposable toys like catnip mice or crinkle balls that get lost under the couch within days. A puzzle feeder that your cat uses daily for months (or years) is one of the best investments in cat enrichment.

Winner: Tie — Both offer excellent value. The slight price advantage of the Catit Digger is offset by the Trixie’s greater variety.

Entertainment Value

Catit Digger: Consistent engagement with a focus on the satisfying loop of “dig in tube, scoop out food, eat.” In our testing, average engagement per session was 12-18 minutes during the first two weeks, dropping to 8-12 minutes by week four as cats became more efficient. The Digger maintains steady engagement but doesn’t grow or evolve.

Trixie Activity Center: More varied engagement with cats exploring different modules across sessions. Average engagement was 10-15 minutes per session, but it remained more consistent over the full 30 days because cats would rotate between modules. We observed cats who ignored a module for days suddenly “discover” it and spend an entire session on it.

The Trixie also provides more visual entertainment — watching a cat try to figure out the tongue module for the first time is genuinely fun.

Winner: Trixie — Greater variety leads to more sustained engagement and longer-lasting novelty.

Stability

Catit Digger: The lightweight base (about 11 ounces) is the Digger’s one notable weakness. Enthusiastic cats can push it across hard floors or tip it over during vigorous pawing. A non-slip mat or placement in a corner helps, but out of the box, it’s not the most stable option.

Trixie Activity Center: The Trixie’s larger footprint, heavier weight, and non-slip rubber feet make it significantly more stable. Even our most aggressive puzzle-users couldn’t move it during testing. It stays put on tile, hardwood, and countertops.

Winner: Trixie — Much more stable, no supplementary mat needed.

Slow Feeding

Catit Digger: This is the Digger’s primary design purpose, and it excels. The tube format forces cats to eat one piece of kibble at a time, extending a 2-minute meal to 10-20 minutes. It’s the most effective slow feeder we’ve tested in the puzzle toy category.

Trixie Activity Center: The Trixie works with treats and small amounts of kibble, but it’s not designed as a dedicated slow feeder. The open-top modules mean cats with good technique can access food fairly quickly. It’s better thought of as enrichment between meals rather than a mealtime replacement.

Winner: Catit Digger — Purpose-built slow feeder that does the job better than any multi-function alternative.

Who Should Choose the Catit Digger?

• Fast eaters who vomit after meals and need to slow down
• First-time puzzle toy buyers who want something simple and intuitive
• Cat parents who prioritize easy cleaning — dishwasher-safe components are hard to beat
• Multi-cat households where each cat needs their own feeder (affordable enough to buy multiples)
• Budget-conscious buyers who want effective enrichment at the lowest price

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Who Should Choose the Trixie Activity Center?

• Intelligent, curious cats who get bored with simple toys quickly — Siamese, Abyssinian, Bengal, Maine Coon
• Cats who have already mastered simpler puzzle feeders and need a step up
• Cat parents who want maximum variety from a single product
• Stability-focused buyers who don’t want to deal with a toy sliding around
• Cat parents who enjoy watching their cats problem-solve (the Trixie is genuinely entertaining to observe)

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Our Recommendation: Get Both

This isn’t a cop-out — it’s genuinely the best approach if your budget allows it. Together, the Catit Digger and Trixie Activity Center cost under $35 and serve complementary purposes:

• Catit Digger at mealtimes — Use it as your cat’s slow feeder for breakfast and dinner
• Trixie Activity Center between meals — Load it with a few low-calorie treats as enrichment during the day

Rotating between the two prevents habituation and gives your cat both focused slow feeding (Digger) and varied mental challenge (Trixie). In our testing, cats who used both products on alternating days showed the highest sustained engagement over the 30-day period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which puzzle toy is better for kittens?

The Catit Digger is generally better for kittens because of its simpler design. The widest tubes are easy for small paws, and the concept is intuitive — reach in, scoop out food. The Trixie’s multiple puzzle types can overwhelm young kittens, though kittens 6 months and older with good coordination often enjoy both.

Can I use both puzzle toys together?

Absolutely — we actually recommend it. Using both toys in rotation (alternating days or weeks) prevents habituation and keeps the challenge fresh. The Catit Digger works great as a mealtime slow feeder, while the Trixie is better as a treat-based enrichment activity between meals.

Which toy is better for a multi-cat household?

The Catit Digger is easier for multi-cat households because you can buy one per cat affordably and each cat can eat from their own puzzle at mealtime. The Trixie is larger and more expensive, making it better as a shared enrichment station. In our testing, multi-cat households did best with individual Catit Diggers for meals and a shared Trixie for enrichment.

My cat figured out the Catit Digger in two days. Should I switch to the Trixie?

If your cat has mastered the Catit Digger’s tube system (getting food out quickly with minimal effort), the Trixie’s five different modules will provide a meaningful step up in difficulty. The variety of puzzle types means even a clever cat will need time to develop strategies for each module. Many cats who “beat” simple puzzles thrive with the Trixie’s complexity.

Which is easier to clean?

The Catit Digger is significantly easier to clean. The tubes pop out and go in the dishwasher, and the whole cleaning process takes about 30 seconds. The Trixie needs to be hand washed with a small brush to get into the recessed alcoves, tunnels, and peg areas — plan on 3-5 minutes. Neither is difficult, but the Catit Digger wins on pure convenience.

Are either of these toys good for overweight cats?

Both can be helpful as part of a weight management plan. The Catit Digger is better for portion-controlled slow feeding, which helps cats eat less by giving their brain time to register fullness. The Trixie provides more physical activity during treat retrieval. For best results, use the Catit Digger at mealtimes with measured portions and the Trixie with low-calorie treats for enrichment. Always consult your vet for a comprehensive weight management plan.

Sources

1. AAFP — Environmental Enrichment for Indoor Cats
2. IAABC — Food Puzzles for Cats
3. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery — Food Puzzles for Cats