A free game for cats, on tablet, phone or TV
Meowtrix turns the screen into a hunting ground: 3D animals wander about, hide, and dash off when a paw touches them. It is free, with no ads, no account and no app to install: the page opens in the browser and goes fullscreen.
Three worlds to hunt in
- Land: lizards, frogs, flies, ladybirds, beetles, grasshoppers, cockroaches, mice, squirrels and birds, hiding under leaves, stones or in an old boot.
- Water: goldfish, koi carp, a school of sardines, trout, salmon and baby sharks; every swipe of a paw makes ripples.
- Sky: butterflies, fireflies, feathers in the wind and a laser dot, by day, at dusk or by moonlight.
For the holidays everything dresses up on its own at the right time: Christmas (Santa hats and snow), Halloween (witch hats and pumpkins) and Easter (bunny ears and giant eggs). The Pixel style gives it a retro video game look.
Made with the cat’s wellbeing in mind
A timer offers 5, 10 or 15 minute sessions; at the end the animals tire so the cat finishes on a catch. A counter keeps its catches, to share with friends. Sounds are made live and, if you allow it, the microphone makes the animals startle at noises in the room.
How to play
- Lay the tablet or phone flat, or open the page on the TV.
- Pick the animals, how many, their colours and the scenery, then tap “Play”.
- To get back to the menu, hold the button in the top right corner: a paw can’t open it by accident.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good tablet game for my cat?
One where something small moves in bursts, stops and hides: that is what wakes up the hunting instinct. Meowtrix has lizards, mice, insects, birds, fish, butterflies, feathers and a laser dot that all behave this way, with sounds. Try a few: every cat has its favourites.
Are screen games good for cats?
They keep an indoor cat busy, as long as they stay one game among others. Alternate with real toys it can catch and bite, stay close by, and stop if the screen seems to frustrate it.
How long should a play session last?
Several short sessions of 5 to 15 minutes are better than one long one. Pick a length in the settings: in the last minute the animals tire so your cat ends on a catch, then Meowtrix shows its score. A treat right after is a good way to end the hunt.
How do I protect the screen from claws?
A tempered glass or a screen protector is usually enough, and trimmed claws help too. Lay the device flat on a steady surface.
Does it work on a TV?
Yes: open meowtrix.mbonnici.fr in the TV’s browser, or cast the tab from a computer. On a TV the cat watches and follows the animals, but cannot touch them.
Why a green or blue laser dot?
Cats see blue and green better than red; red works too, because movement is what matters most. Unlike a real laser, this dot can be caught: it stays under the paw for a moment and the catch is counted.
My cat doesn’t react. What can I do?
Turn the sound up a little, pick bigger animals (Scenery tab) or a slower speed, and dim the lights. Some cats prefer mice, others fish or the laser dot.
Is it really free? What about my data?
Yes: free, no ads, no account, no tracking. Your settings stay on your device. The microphone is optional and only makes the animals startle at loud noises; nothing is recorded or sent.
Meowtrix is a personal project · source code on GitHub