meowdokuFind the next little “aha”.
The trick is to find what must be true before choosing where a cat looks comfortable.
Start where there is least room
A single-square region gives you a cat immediately. After any placement, scan the affected rows, columns and regions. If one has only a single available square, its cat is forced.
Let a region claim a line
If a region’s candidates all lie in row 3, that region must supply row 3’s cat. Mark the other regions’ squares in row 3 with X, even before you know which square holds the cat. The same works with columns.
Turn the idea around
If every candidate in a row belongs to the same region, that region’s cat must sit in that row. Other squares of that region, outside the row, can be excluded.
Look for shared space
If two regions can only place their cats in the same two columns, those two cats will occupy both columns. Other regions cannot use either column. This is more useful on larger boards.
Keep notes, not guesses
A wrong X can quietly hide the next forced cat. If stuck, check your marks and ask for a hint. Hints use the visible board rules and ignore your personal X notes as proof. When no forced step is available, a hint highlights optional candidates. A legal choice may still lead to a dead end; Undo lets you explore another branch.
Try one here
This example uses the same rules and controls as the main game. Its progress is stored separately from your campaign.
Play Meowdoku
A guided puzzle example · 5 × 5
Click once for X · twice for a cat