DIY cat toys

3 June 2021

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Cats spend a lot of time lounging in the sun and napping on the living room couch. But they also need to stretch, run, and play! Globalvet has some ideas for toys you can make out of things you probably already have around your home.

Have you noticed that your cat tends to abandon a new toy shortly after you’ve given it to them? The key to holding their attention is rotating their toys! Take only one or two of their toys out at a time, and rotate the toys you make available for them to play with on a daily basis. This will ensure that the toys you present on any given day will seem new, and hopefully encourage more interest from your kitty!

Before you get started, here are some safety tips to make sure your DIY toy is nothing but fun for your kitty:

Pick toys that suit your cat’s habits. If your cat tends to chew on things or ingest certain materials they find around the house, don’t make toys that might encourage this behaviour.
If the toy has several different components, make sure all the parts are securely fastened so your cat doesn’t tear one off and eat it.
Check the toy from time to time to make sure it is still intact.

CATNIP IN ALL ITS FORMS

There is no shortage of options for cute catnip pouches that will drive your kitty wild!

Put some catnip in a stocking and fill it with stuffing or pieces of fabric.

Put some catnip inside a toilet paper roll and seal the ends.

If you’re good with a needle and thread, you could sew some cushions in different shapes and colours to keep your cat entertained.

TOYS TO ENCOURAGE RUNNING AND HUNTING

Cats love to hunt and chase after their prey. They’ll be delighted with a toy they can hunt.

Transform a cork into prey using feathers and other materials that will catch your cat’s eye.

Cut a few strips of fabric from an old sweater and tie them into a cute bow. You can even tuck some catnip inside to make your creation even more appealing.

There is no shortage of toys you can make out of toilet paper rolls. Glue on feathers, tie on lace, let your creativity run wild!

Tie two to five-inch strips of felt around a keyring.

Cut a long fringe into one side of a rectangle of fabric. Wrap the uncut side of the rectangle around a small wooden stick and voilà! You’ve got a soft little duster your cat will love.

GET YOUR CAT DANCING

Cats love toys on strings that twitch back and forth.

Make a few pompoms, attach them to the end of a string, and wave them in front of your cat. You can also hang pompoms off of yourcat tree or other high places so your cat can play with them on their own.

Want your kitty to occupy themselves? Glue feathers, pompoms, or anything else you can think of to a paper towel roll and hang it up for your cat to play with!

GIVE YOUR CAT A WORKOUT

You can build your kitty a tiny amusement park with just five small pieces of wood! Attach objects your cat loves and they’ll have a great time playing with it and getting some exercise! See detailed instructions on how to make this toy.

AND MUCH MORE

Have you heard about interactive cat feeders? Did you know you could make them yourself? They’re great toys that will put both your kitty’s paws and mind to work. For some great ideas for DIY cat feeders,see our article on the subject.

Image Sources

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Catnip-Filled-Sock-Toys

https://www.familyhandyman.com/smart-homeowner/how-to-make-diy-cat-toys/

https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/diy-cat-toys-hacks/

http://muslinandmerlot.blogspot.com/2015/09/diy-t-shirt-cat-toy-so-easy.html

https://www.thesamanthashow.com/diy-cat-toys/

https://joythebaker.com/2014/12/cat-lady-gift-set/

https://fr.wikihow.com/faire-des-jouets-pour-les-chats