What Is Trap the Cat?

Trap the Cat is a classic logic puzzle where a mischievous cat sits on a hex grid and you must surround it with blocks before it escapes. Every time you click an empty cell to place a block, the cat moves one step toward the nearest open edge. Think ahead — seal every escape route before the cat slips out.

How to Play

Click any empty hexagonal cell to darken it. After your click the cat takes one step toward freedom. Your goal is to encircle the cat completely with no open cells adjacent to it. If the cat reaches the edge of the board, you lose. Each puzzle starts with a random scattering of blocked cells to give you an initial advantage.

Controls

  • Click — place a block on an empty cell

Tips

Work on the side closest to the edge first — those are the most dangerous escape paths. Don't chase the cat; instead, cut off the direction it is heading. Pre-existing blocked cells form natural walls; build your trap outward from them to minimize the clicks needed.

Hex Grid Mathematics

Trap the Cat plays on a hex grid where each cell has 6 neighbours. The cat's movement algorithm always chooses the cell with the lowest number of escape paths left. Understanding this bias lets you corner the cat by leaving high-occupancy cells open — the cat then naturally drifts toward whatever you want.

Each move creates a propagating effect on the cat's available moves. Two moves ahead, you should consider which neighbour will have the fewest open paths after your next move.

Strategy

Trap from the edges inward. Block edge cells first — they're the closest to escape. Wait to play interior cells until the cat has fewer options.

Set up zig-zag barriers. The hex grid lets you create barriers the cat can't bypass without crossing your block. Zig-zag shapes are the most economical.

Don't chase. The cat moves toward whatever has the lowest occupancy. If you close ahead of it, you trap it.

FAQ

Q: How many puzzles are there?
A: Practically unlimited — each puzzle generates from random initial conditions.
Q: Can I skip a hard level?
A: Yes — most versions allow skipping with a small coin cost.
Q: Are there different grid sizes?
A: Yes — small (4×4), medium (6×6), and large (8×8) grids.
Q: Are there global leaderboards?
A: Some versions track fastest solves — most don't.

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