03/09/2023
CONTRA-FREELOADING
is an observed behavior in which an organism, when offered a choice between provided food or food that requires effort to obtain, prefers the food that requires effort (Wikipedia). This term was created by Glen Jensen.
And here, Eevee is demonstrating it. She watched me put food in her bowl first, then watched me put food in the snuffle mat. She continued to eat from her snuffle mat until she was sure all the food was found and gone. Then she slowly walked over to her bowl to finish her breakfast off. I only used her kibble, no treats or enticers. I’ll do it again for dinner but with the 2 options closer together!