How to make toys for cats: 15 Easy DIY Cat Toys You Can Make for Your Kitty TODAY!

DIY Feather Cat Toys ⋆ Dream a Little Bigger

rThis is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tidy Cats. All opinions are 100% mine.

I hear that most cats love feathers. Maybe it’s a repressed urge to hunt birds, or something, but my indoor cats go one up over love into an obsession. The other day I was digging through my craft stash to find some things to make some homemade cat toys and lo and behold I found a decent stash of feathers that I’ve accumulated over the years. It seems that I typically need 1 or 2 for a project but I buy new bags of them for almost every project. I just don’t know what’s going on with that 🙂

After digging through the little tub I left it on my desk I set out about getting some housework done. You know the drill, fold a load of laundry, clean out the litter boxes, replenish the pets’ drinking water, wash the breakfast dishes… those sorts of things. Nothing fun, but everything necessary.

As I’ve got basket of hot towels to contend with I hear this strange scratching sound. Upon investigation it turns out that Maybelline, kitty #3 in our clowder, was dragging the entire tub across the desk until BANG, it hits the floor. On it in an an instant, Maybe is nothing but a puff of feathers belching up into the air. Both frustrating and entertaining me at the same time, I sighed with another mess to take care of ! At least I knew in advance that the new feather toys were going to be a hit with 1 of my kitties!

The whole reason I was digging in my stash to begin with was so that I could tell you about my new partner for 2017. Yours truly and my crew of amazing kitties are Tidy Cats Insiders. How cool is that? Now we’ve been using Tidy Cats with Glade forever now. Once when Mr. Rob brought home the wrong litter we had a bit of a situation where the box sat there pristine because nobody was using it.

Like, it was the end of the day and I went to clean boxes and was all, what? After a quick trip in town and replacing the litter in the first box we had a run on the thing. It was the most popular activity in the house! 🙂 We specifically like the Glade option in Tidy Cats because our youngest cat, Maybelline, is a funk-master deeeeee-luxe and not in a Parliament kind of a way but in a “how can a smell that big and bad come out of something so little and sometimes really nice?”

Now our favorite litter/formula is now made in a light as a feather version that’s easier to pick up off of the shelf and toss into the cart and I’m totally digging it. New LightWeight with Glade Tough Odor Solutions Clean Blossoms is actually a whole 50% lighter and works just as well clumping up my cats business while tackling the unpleasant scent with a pretty Glade floral aroma. Want to try it?

Leave a comment with the name of your cat and you’ll be entered to win coupons for 2 coupons good for any Tidy Cats litter, whatever your favorite might be!

Ready to make some awesome cat toys that won’t break the bank? I’ve got 2 options for you, both cats love, but hopefully help you’ll have everything on hand to make a fun toy AND tackle that ever-growing craft stash, you know what I mean? Let’s get it!

For this first feather cat toy project you will need:

• Loose craft feathers
• String
• Wood dowel
• Hot glue gun (hot glue is non-toxic and a good choice for DIY cat toys)
• Feather boa

Taking care not to burn your fingers glue together the quill ends of about 10 feathers together to make a little bunch.

Use string to bind the bunch together with a dab of glue here and there to hold the string in place.

Make a total of 4 bunches and trim up the excess string. At this point they look and feel an awful lot like shuttlecocks or birdies for badminton 🙂

Glue the bunches onto a dowel (thinner is better because it will kind of bend and sway as you play with it but I had this thicker guy on hand and used it instead). Remember that the glue will easily seep through feathers so protect your fingers as you work!

If the bottom of where your feathers are affixed to the dowel looks messy you can cover it up by attaching a few inches of feather boa to the base to cover it up. You can also add individual feathers to the toy to help fill it out in any empty spaces.

Boom! Lovely, right? Now let’s tackle the next toy, a bouncy creation that will drive your kitties nuts (in a good way!)

For this project you will need:

• Loose feathers
• Mesh braids
• String and needle
• Elastic
• Ring

Cut a dozen 2 foot pieces of mesh tubing.

Fold the tubing in half and run a threaded needle though leaving a tail of about 6 inches.

String on all of your tubes through the center and firmly knot to keep together in a tight cluster.

Taking the end of your mesh tubes, twist and fold the end inward. Place a feather on top of the folded mesh.

Using matching thread sew the quill of the feather into the mesh. Finish by wrapping the thread around several times to hide your stitches. Knot tightly and trim off excess thread. Continue for each mesh end, cutting and 1-3 inches off of each of the tubes for varying lengths as you go.

This toy is a bouncy thing because it is on an elastic cord. When kitty pulls down and then lets go it springs way up into the air. It’s quite fun! To attach the elastic simply stitch it around the area that you bound all of your tubes together in the center. Go crazy with the stitches because a lot of pressure will be placed on this joining when the toy is in use.

Sew a ring onto the other end of the elastic, again taking care to stitch well for maximum strength.

Fold all the tubes down and together and wrap with string to keep bound together.

It looks crazy, right? Cats LOVE these toys. This isn’t their first feather toy like this and won’t be the last because it really is such a crowd pleaser!

Place your finger in the ring and bounce it around in front of your cat and before long you’ve got one happy kitty!

Now it’s terribly difficult to get action shots of cats playing with toys that drive them up the wall (in a good way 🙂 so please excuse these blurry pics! We were having too much fun to notice at the time!

My kitties just adore their new toys inspired by New LightWeight with Glade Tough Odor Solutions Clean Blossoms and I know that yours will too. Plus I bet you they’d love that litter, also.

Remember to leave a comment below with the name of your cat (or a friend or family member’s cat, I’m sure they’d wig out if you handed them 2 coupons for free litter, I know I would!) The winner will be selected randomly and will receive their coupons in the mail. You can’t win if you don’t enter so be sure to do that!

30 Cheap and Easy DIY Cat Toys To Make for Your Cats

Loving your cat does not mean that you should make her eat a lot. The cat lovers don’t want their cats to gain a lot of weight to become lazy. This will cause great health problems to her and make your cat deprived of their hunting skills. So, keep your cats active in the home with these 30 unique DIY cat toys that are cheap and easy to whip up and will provide every cat with hours of fun. You will find here instructions to make all types of cat toys you have seen in the shops and stores. In addition, you will get here instructions to manually build the custom cat exercise stations that will help keep the cats physically fit.

So, just look through these 30 cheap and simple DIY Cat Toys and pick your favorite ones to add to your to-do list of projects. You will get here a variety of stuffed cat toys that you can quickly make out of old fabrics and felt, and they can be inspired by various animals, food items, and other things that are favorable to your cats.

The purpose of these cat toys will be to sharpen the hunting skills of the cats. The hanging toys will make your cats jump, and other little toys will hone your cats’ chasing and attacking skills. The cat condos will help keep the cats the perfect hunters if they are kept as pets in the home. You will hear step-by-step instructions and tutorials to build lasting longer DIY cat tree, DIY cat house, DIY cat bed, DIY cat shelves, and other fun stations like a pro.

1. Kittens Teething Toy from T shirt

Honing your cat’s hunting skills with these t-shirt cat toys is super easy to make and looks like a big candy. The project involves cutting the t-shirts simply and knotting the pieces together, getting a candy shape. You need 2-3 t-shirts, scissors, ruler, cutting mat, and rotary cutter to which up these cat toys. Cut the t-shirts into 3″ x 10″ rectangles to whip up these cat toys. muslinandmerlot

2. Unique Fishing Pole Cat Toy

It will be a great idea to provide fun-making toys to cats to make them exercise regularly. It will also help build the confidence of your baby for sure. Grab here instructions to whip up the fishing pole cat toys at home. You need wool, wool blend felt, matching embroidery floss, 16″ wooden dowel, acrylic craft paint, cotton clothesline, catnip, or poly-fill to make this toy. You need craft scissors, a low-temp hot glue gun, a sewing needle, and a paintbrush in tools. liagriffith

3. DIY Feather Cat Toy

Make also the adorable and lovely cat toys using the feathers. You can hang these feathers anywhere where it be a little challenging for the cat to reach. This toy will keep the cat physically healthy and fit, and it will not take much time to make this cat toy. You need a long stick, feathers, small bells, string, glue, paint, and washi tape to whip up this lovely feather toy. One of the best cat toys ever made will surely please a cat lover. scatteredthought

4. Cheap Felt Sushi Cat Toy

Grab here guides to whip up felt sushi cat toys also, will create too much fun for cats and will be soft and colorful at the same time. You need craft scissors, a sewing needle, wool, embroidery floss, and catnip to whip up this very beautiful felt sushi cat toy. The project involves a little sewing and stitching and will be much doable for all beginners. You have to use the felt in sushi colors for this project. liagriffith

5. DIY Natural Cat Toys

Find here the ultimate instructions to make beautiful natural cat toys inspired by fruits and vegetables. Make a whole basket of vegetable and fruit-inspired cat toys. It will be a total breeze to whip up with the cheap supplies. You need hollow papier mache shapes, craft glue, 6 yards of colored twisted paper, catnip, scissors, drill and drill bit, and toilet paper tubes to do this project with ease. Get also inspired by your favorite fruits and vegetables while doing this project. prodigalpieces

6. Cat Toys For Your Fur Babies

Just like you, your cat should do regular exercise not to get lazy. So, make these cat toys to increase the physical activities of your cat. This will help sharpen the hunting skills of your cat also. You need very cheap and ordinary supplies to whip up these cat toys. Grab the wooden dowels, dowel caps, a bunch of embellishments to make these cat toys. Use the ribbon, twine, bells, feathers, felt, and washi tape to spice up these toys more and a lot. eatmovemake

7. How To Make Cat Toy

Put your cat on hunting and jumping with this wonderful and lovely cat toy, crazily easy and quick to make with beginner crafting skills. You need a wood dowel, waxed thread, leather lace, pom-poms, feathers, scissors, and a hot glue gun to work up these charming and lovely cat toys. The process of making these toys is pretty quick and simple, and you will have great fun while whipping up these toys. The best gift to make for a cat lover. themerrythought

8. Crinkle Pompom Cat Toys

Prevent your cat from becoming lazy and control the behavioral problems in a cat with these cat toys that will improve the cats’ circulation. The cat will love to play with these crinkle pom-pom toys, which will improve the blood circulation in the body and hone hunting skills. You need the crinkle material, clover pom-pom maker, tulle, string/cord, and sharp scissors to make these colorful pom-pom cat toys. The project will complete very quickly. dreamalittlebig

9. DIY Knotted Ball Cat Toy

Whip up the knotted ball toys using the old knit t-shirts will provide hours of fun to your cat. This toy will make your cat jump and cause great circulation in the cat’s entire body. The toy is lightweight and is super quick and easy to make with the old knit t-shirts. The idea is to cut the t-shirt into stripes and then make a knotted ball out of the stripes, which will create too much fun. You can easily hang this toy on the doorknobs. The best way to repurpose your old shirts. marthastewart

10. DIY Felt Mouse Cat Toy

The cats will love to chase and swat these felt mice, and they are truly looking mind-blowing. Here you need the felt in respective colors like white and dark grey, and you will also get the free downloadable pattern for these mice cat toys. Here you need good quality felt, embroidery thread, catnip, stuffing, twine, and some creativity to make these super cute cat toys. These here the toys that will sharpen the hunting skills of your cats. The best handmade gifts to make for a cat lover. liagriffith

11. Cat Toy For Indoor Cats

It gives you great happiness to make your pets happy, and these pet toys will make you do so. You will get here many impressive projects to make cuter cat toys while using the old fabric and felt scraps. The very required supplies will be a wooden dowel rod, flat leather cord, scissors, glue, yarn, baker’s twine, embroidery thread, and small stripes of felt. The toys also come with colorful hanging tassels and will be a total pleasure to work up with the minimal skills and crafting supplies. thinkmakeshare

12. Cool Cat Feather Toy

The cats like the feathers-based toys as they look like their prey. So, these feather cat toys will make your cats pounce, chase, and swat and will be easy to make at home. The very thing you need is the cat toy template, and next, you need scissors, iron, jingle bells, and satin cords to complete these toys. Use the felt to make these toys, and they will not let your cat be even a little lazier. One of the best handmade feather cat toys to make in no time. marthastewart

13. Three Ingredient Cat Treats

Star the never-ending fun of your cats also by providing them the treats they will love. So, learn here to make the best cat treats using a few ingredients. These treats will make you fall in love again with you, and they are made with all-natural ingredients. The shape of the treats is just cute and adorable. You need salmon, egg, and flour to whip up these cat treats. It will be the easiest ever treat to make in just 20 minutes or less. Chop the salmon and mix in the egg flour mixture, and then bake until lightly browned. thecookierookie

14.

Cardboard Cat House

Provide your cat a super comfy cave in the form of this cardboard cat house, which will come with a bed installed inside for the comfortable sleep of your cat. You only need a big cardboard box from home like a big appliance like a refrigerator to whip up this cute cat bus house. It will be a total breeze to whip up. You need a large cardboard box, painter’s tape or masking tape, ruler, box cutter, scrap cardboard, glue, and paint to whip up this very sweet cardboard cat house. ehow

15. DIY Cat Chew Toys

So are you on a mission to win the love of your cat? Then follow the complete guides and instructions to make the best cat toys, which will provide hours of fun to your favorite cat. You need cotton or wool string and scissors to make these toys, sure to make a kitty happier. Just wrap the ropes as loops around the hand and then cut to make a pom-pom. Hang up these pom-poms and let your cat chase and swat them. The best toys to keep your cat exercise every day. popsugar

16. Vase Scratching Post

Cats love to scratch, and this keeps on practicing the hunting skills. Let your cat satisfy her whole angriness with this scratching post to make with an old vase and an easier cat toy project. All you need is to take out the branches and cut flowers from an old vase and then wrap the twine all around it to make a quick scratching post. You can easily buy a ceramic vase from a thrift store for almost $5 or less. meowlifestyle

17. Making Menswear Mouse Cat Toy

The mice are the most delicious cat prey, so making a mouse-inspired cat toy makes great sense when pleasing a fur baby. Just reuse the old suiting and shirting fabrics and whip up these stuffed mouse cuties, which will make epic handmade presents to a cat-loving friend. You need assorted menswear fabrics like wool suiting, cotton shirting, corduroy, and cotton velvet to whip up these toys. The rest of the supplies will be fusible webbing, sewing machine, sewing supplies, fill, embroidery floss, and iron. Every cat will love these toys. marthastewart

18. DIY Cat Tree From a Real Tree

You will give ten out of ten to this transformation based on creativity. Learn here to build a beautiful cat tree out of the real tree, which will not take much of your time. You need a big tree branch, a paint scraper, Minwax stain, sisal, faux vines, wood dowel, screws, etc., to build this cat tree with a beautiful scratching post. The whole you need to make your cat happy and physically fit. The best to get for your furry friend out of recycled tree branches. bybrittanygold

19. Cat Condo from a Stool

Accomplish your mission of keeping the cat fit with this flawless homemade cat tree. This project is all about making a cat condo out of cheap supplies and home materials, and the whole project will cost you about $15. You will complete the project in less than 2 hours, and this cat tree will also help keep your cat physically fit. You need a stool, pad, cat fabric, jute, hair bushes, cat toys, glue, hand saw, staple gun and measuring tape, etc. , to build this fantastic cat condo. dianarambles

20. DIY Junk Food Cat Toy

While being on the mission to make the best and fun-making toys for the cats, you can also get inspired by your favorite food items. So, learn here to make the junk food-inspired cat toys will be a total pleasure to whip up with the minimum crafting skills. You need colored felt, colored embroidery thread, fabric scissors, yarn needle, and loose catnip for this easy peasy project of making the best cat toys without getting a bit expensive. The project is super beginner-friendly. abeautifulmess

21. Cute Cactus Catnip Toy

Looking for a soft and colorful toy for the cat in the home? Follow here guides to make a one filled with catnip. You need no prickly needles for this project, and it will be wholly simple and quick to do for all. You need wool roving in green, white, pink for this project, and the rest of the supplies will be felting mat, needle felting tool felting needle, and catnip. It will not take much time to complete this project as it is simple and straightforward. marthastewart

22. Homemade Cat Toy for Playful Cats

Follow here guides to make a quick and lovely cat toy, will look like a colorful yarn pompom and will also be a total pleasure to whip up. You need the 2″ foam balls, glue, catnip, and yarn, etc., to whip up these very beautiful and lovely cat toys; it will keep your cat busy in a fun way and will be a total pleasure to make with minimal crafting skills. So, this will make your cat fall in love again with you. The best toys to polish the hunting skills of your cats. babysavers

23. Crocheted Balls from A T-shirt Yarn

The cat toys list is just never-ending and follows more guides to complete these cat ball toys. Cats will love to pounce, chase and swat these toys and hence boosting their hunting skills. The whole project is simple, straightforward, and beginner-friendly and will also cost you next to nothing. You need T-shirt yarn, 7mm crochet hook, Valeriana root or catnip leaves, fragile material, polyfill, and scissors to complete this very easy cat toy project. toma creations

24. DIY Cat Lady Gift Set

Win the heart of your furry lady with this homemade gift basket that is a total pleasure to whip up. You need sheets of felt, yarn, cotton balls, catnip, nylon thread, other items and embellishments like nylon thread, and other embellishments like feathers, pompoms, and balls, etc., to whip up this cat lady gift basket, will surely surprise a cat-loving friend. The best cat toy to make in no time. Pick your favorite yarn and felt colors for this project. joythebaker

25. DIY Sock Fish Cat Toy

Like the mouse, the cats also love to eat the fishes to make faux fishes toys for the playful cats. Here is the hack to make a few ones at a cost next to nothing. Simple repurpose your old socks and stuff them with your favorite stuffing like paper and batting, and next use the sharpie marker to draw something beautiful and fetch on the sock fishes. You can also add a little bit of catnip to entice the cats more. kittyclysm

26.

Food Puzzle For Cats IKEA Hack

There are IKEA hacks available also to make the very best and lovely-looking toys for the cats. Get inspired by this fantastic IKEA food puzzle, will make the cats busy creatively and help keep your cat busy. You need IKEA “Jules” chair in adult and children’s sizes, some sisal carpet, glad and Velcro to make this wonderful and interesting cat food puzzle. The wholly beautiful and precious handmade gift will also help keep your cat active all day long. fundamentally

27. Make Your Own Cat Wand

The cat wands are another playful and lovely toy to make for the cats. At the same time, they are pretty easy and quick to whip up also. It will only take a few easily available materials to make a quick cat wand. Here you need a 1 wooden dowel, 3 jingle bells, multiple fabric scraps, 1 roll of baker’s twine, scissors, and fabric glue to whip up this very beautiful and colorful cat want. Another best gift to make for the cat’s entertainment and fun. Pick your favorite material for this project. irresistiblepets

28. Pipe Cleaner and Plastic Spoon Cat Toy

Craft also great-looking cat toys using plastic spoons. Yes, you have to create an animal or insect-like structure by adding the spoon with a ribbon, pipe cleaners, and small pompoms, and this will be big fun for the cat to chase and swat. Use the glue to adhere all the items in place, and making this cat toy will be big fun for sure. The best and quick DIY cat toy idea, sure to inspire all cat lovers. The matching ribbon makes a great tail of this lizard-like spoon cat toy. creativecynch

29. Leather and Feather Cat Toy

It will be super easy and inexpensive to whip up this beautiful and lovely leather, and a feather cat toy will make a better handmade gift to a favorite person. You need a fringed piece of leather, some rope, and colorful feathers to whip up this very beautiful and lovely cat toy, which will surely sharpen her skills’one of the best and quick-to-make DIY cat toys that everyone can make with ease. The whole project is a matter of minutes to do. diynetwork

30. Best DIY Cat Toy 2021

Sorting out the best kids crafting projects? Let them make some cute and lovely kitty toys, which will boost the fun of your kids. The project is much doable for all the kids and involves using a few supplies. You need cat treats, a toilet paper roll, foam sheets, scissors, and a hot glue gun to whip up this very quick and easy cat toy that will sharpen the skills of your cat. It will only take a few minutes to work up this cat toy. The toy will provide hours of fun to your fur-baby. gluesticksgum

Conclusion:

The cat toys can cost you big and if you buy them from stores. But DIY cat toys can be fairly inexpensive to make at home using recycled, upcycled, and repurposed items. You will get here guides to make various food and animal-inspired cat toys, and they will most come filled a little with catnip to be more enticing to cats. From complete step-by-step instructions to complete material lists to tool lists, you will get here all to make very of the given cat toy like a pro.

Make them for your fury baby or your friends’ cat. They will just be amazing. Glue, felt, ribbon, feathers, dowels, scrap wood, fabric scraps, stuffing, and scissors will be the most required tools and materials for these kitten toys projects.

This not ends here, and these homemade cat toys project will also help make amazing scratching post-based toys, which cost you next to nothing. So, do take a short tour of all these DIY cat projects to get your creativity inspired.

8 Household Items that can Double as Cat Toys

By: Chewy EditorialUpdated: June 10, 2021

iStock.com/Valeriya

Homemade Cat Toys: 8 Household Items Cats Like to Play With

Ever notice that some cats will play with almost anything? From boxes to paper bags to toilet paper rolls, there are plenty of household items cats like to play with.

The benefits of playtime for cats are manifold, says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant and author of “Naughty No More! Change Unwanted Behaviors Through Positive Reinforcement. ” In fact, hunting is in a cat’s DNA. Most types of indoor play, she adds, give cats an outlet to act instinctually, releasing dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical.

To that end, play is also a huge stress reliever, says certified cat behavior consultant Ingrid Johnson. “There isn’t a better way to get the ants out of their pants,” she says. “If we don’t give them an outlet or the tools they need to release that stress, they can suffer behavior, emotional or even physical consequences.”

If your feline is starting the feel the seven-year itch with his old feather on a string, maybe it’s time to rethink your playtime strategy. Try these “toys” made with items already lying around the house and let your cat have some good, clean fun.

iStock.com/FilippoBacci

1

Boxes

A cat’s normal body temperature is somewhere between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, Johnson says. Because cardboard is an insulator, boxes are great places for cats to both explore and feel cozy. Throw a couple pieces of kibble into one and you’ve got a great foraging activity to keep your cat busy.

Sure, you can get your cat any ol’ box. You can also surprise them with a box that has all of their favorite things inside, like with a Cat Goody Box. This extra special box comes with cat treats and toys specially curated by pet parents like you; so your cat will be spoiled with all the gifts—including the enticing cardboard box they surely know and love.

iStock.com/DominikaKoluch

2

Leaves

Make the simple cardboard box even more appealing by partially filling it with fallen leaves. “Cats love the smell of the outdoors, as well as the unfamiliar texture,” Johnson says. This toy is obviously limited by geography and time of year, but it’s a fun one if and when you can make it work.

iStock.com/Lightspruch

3

Paper Bags

Krieger says it’s essential to cut any handles off of this potential toy before letting your cat play with it, but when you do, there’s no limit on how to make a paper bag engaging and interesting. Cut the bottom off and make it a tunnel, or put multiple such bags out and let your cat run wild. You could also leave the bottom on and put some food in it for a treasure hunt.

iStock.com/Marcal Cuberta

4

Stuffed Animals

A small percentage of cats will grow very attached to a specific toy, says Krieger. She adopted a kitten, Olivia, at just six weeks old and the small stuffed animal in Olivia’s mouth that day is one she plays with daily—thirteen years later. “I never rotate that toy out. She gets very stressed when it’s not there.”

Cats can be introduced to stuffed animals later in life and still grow similarly attached. Just make sure it isn’t one with small eyes or other hard pieces that can be chewed off and swallowed.

iStock.com/stock_colors

5

Ping Pong Balls

These are great because they move fast, are difficult for your cat to capture and are big enough that he can’t swallow them. Krieger says they’re especially fun for your cat around stairs, and that chasing them up and down will give him a nice bit of exercise.

iStock.com/w-ings

6

A Paper Towel or Toilet Paper Roll

One of Johnson’s specialties is creating cat food puzzles for cats, which stimulate a cat’s mind as well as satisfy his thirst for hunting. Create a homemade food puzzle easily with a few cardboard items you’d normally toss away. Tape a couple of paper towel or toilet paper rolls together, then put a piece of food in the middle and watch what happens next.

You can get as creative as you want, Johnson says, and try forming a sort of pyramid with the rolls, poking small holes in the middle of the rolls to form a treat dispenser, or standing them up tall and seeing if your cat can fish the food out with his paws. The possibilities are endless.

iStock.com/suiwuya

7

Old Cat Toys

Most cats tire of most toys fairly quickly – just like children. Both Krieger and Johnson suggest rubbing old toys with your cat’s favorite treat to make it seem newer and more appealing.

Try putting the toy in a plastic freezer bag with some catnip or an herb like dried valerian root or honeysuckle, Johnson says. “It’s like Shake ‘n Bake,” she added, “and when they’re reintroduced to the toy, it’s novel again.”

By: John Gilpatrick
John Gilpatrick is a freelance writer who thinks bunnies make the best pets.

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As soon as a kitten appears in the house, it becomes necessary to purchase various household items intended for a new tailed friend. Little kittens are curious and active, so they will also need toys with which they can spend their leisure time excitingly. Even adult cats are often interested in special toys that develop thinking, attention, dexterity and other useful skills in pets.

In the article we will look at why cats need toys, what to look for when choosing toys for kittens and adult cats, what toys are for cats, and methods for accustoming a pet to toys.

Why cats need games and toys

Cats are predators by nature. They have hunting instincts that need to be constantly developed. Animals with free access to the street develop their natural skills in the natural environment, hunting for birds, small rodents and insects.

Special toys help domestic cats diversify their leisure time. Active games have a positive effect on the general physical condition and health of the pet.

Other advantages of cat toys:

• promote the development of natural instincts and skills;
• cat needs;
• provide positive emotions for the pet;
• having his own toys, the cat loses interest in upholstered furniture and other items in the house, which allows you to keep household items intact.

Toys are especially needed if two or more cats live in the house. With their help, animals relieve stress and take out all the negative energy on toys, maintaining peaceful friendly relations among themselves.

How to choose the right toys for cats

Pet stores have a huge range of toys for cats and cats. Products should be selected according to certain rules.

How to choose a cat toy:

1. A toy must be of high quality, made of environmentally friendly and safe materials.
2. The toy must be free of small and detachable parts.
3. The owner must take into account the preferences of the tailed friend. Some cats love to play with clockwork mice, while others enthusiastically chase balls.
4. For general development, you can buy a multifunctional toy or an educational complex for your cat.

It is recommended that you buy a variety of toys for your cat so that she always has a choice. This will also allow the owner to determine the preferences of the furry friend.

Types of simple toys for cats

Simple toys – the most popular for cats, are sold at a low price and suit the animals quite well. Among such products, balls, mice and pointers are in special demand. Let’s consider in more detail.

Balls

Cat balls are small and made of different materials.

Species:

• jumpers;
• ball with bell or small ball inside;
• textile balls with catnip, stimulating the physical activity of the animal.

Pointers

This pointer toy creates a laser beam with a dot of light that pet cats love to chase. The owner controls the pointer. The kit may include additional nozzles that convert the light point into the contours of animals and other figures.

Mice

Cats love to chase mice, even if they are just toys. Manufacturers of pet products offer artificial mice made of different materials: plastic, textile, sisal, rubber, with natural fur, etc. Such a toy can be static or mechanical. This is an interesting option for active pet games.

Mechanical toys

Like a true hunter, a cat is attracted to movement, which means that she will be interested in a toy that moves on the floor. Of course, you can tie any ball or soft mouse to a string yourself and imitate its movement. But the best solution would be to buy a mechanical toy characterized by wear resistance and a long service life.

Mechanical toys are easy to operate. They are created in various forms – mice, fish, birds, etc., can be soaked in catnip. With such a toy, a cat will never be bored, and a caring owner will be able to watch her active games from the side, where she can fully demonstrate her hunting skills.

Battery-powered and electronic toys

Battery-operated toys and electronic models have a variety of functions, sound and light accompaniment.

Some models of electronic toys are equipped with sensors that detect the smell of an approaching cat and start the game mechanism automatically.

Pet stores have a wide range of toys such as electronic game records, imitation fish, birds, mice on a wireless remote control, teasers, spinning balls, etc.

Interactive cat toys

Interactive educational toys for cats are available in a wide variety. They develop the mental and physical abilities of a pet well, allow you to have fun and enthusiastically spend time without distracting the owner from important matters.

Types of interactive toys for cats:

• track with balls;
• game “Catch the mouse”;
• game track “Pyramid”;
• radio controlled mice;
• massagers;
• teasers, etc.

Intelligent toys for cats

Intelligent toys develop thinking, attention and other useful skills in domestic cats. They are presented in a wide variety, they can have various holes through which the cat will need to get balls or other hidden objects.

Types of intelligent toys for cats:

• playhouses and tunnels;
• “live” rings;
• surprise boxes;
• dance mats, etc.

Toys with food and chew toys

For a cat that does not have a measure of nutrition, you can buy a food maze. The owner will pour food into special holes, and in order to get food from the toy, the pet will have to show dexterity and ingenuity. Such products perfectly develop the intellectual skills of the cat and exclude overeating, which prevents the risks of developing obesity.

Food toys come in a variety of varieties, with spinning elements, plastic cups, balls, tubes, adjustable holes, etc.

Cats also benefit from chew toys that keep their teeth healthy. They are made in the form of different shapes, have a textured or mesh surface. Can be filled with pressed mint leaves for fresh breath. From a series of chew toys, rubber products impregnated with catnip oil are also popular.

How to teach a cat to play with toys

Some kittens immediately show interest in new toys, while others have to be accustomed to a foreign object using various tricks.

How to teach a cat to toys:

1. Try to guess the cat’s desire and pick up a toy that will definitely arouse her interest. See what she likes to do in her free time. If she is passionate about chasing flying insects, buy an interactive or mechanical toy that imitates real game. If your cat rolls a ball of thread or other objects on the floor, buy her a ball or a whole play set with a surprise.
2. Give the cat a new toy to explore and get to know.
3. Play with your cat with a new toy, imitating different movements. A cat, like a true hunter, will definitely show interest in a moving object.
4. Try hiding the toy under a paper bag or in a cardboard box. Draw the cat’s attention to the hidden object with a rustling sound. This can spark a bored pet’s interest and encourage them to actively play with a new toy.
5. If your cat does not want to play with toys at all, use catnip to stir up interest in active play. It is completely harmless and safe for cats. Its smell awakens the playful mood in cats. You can buy a ready-made toy filled with catnip.

Watch your cat and try to find toys that match her interests and preferences.

What toys do kittens like

Little kittens are very inquisitive and active. For initial development, you can choose simple toys – small balls, mice made of natural fur, jingling sticks, a pointer with a laser beam, etc. Closer to the first year of life, you can pamper the cat with an interactive toy that develops thinking, dexterity and other hunting skills.

Kitten teething toys

Special chew toys made of safe synthetic rubber are recommended for teething kittens. They facilitate the painful process of changing teeth, remove plaque and are a good prevention of a number of diseases of the animal’s oral cavity.

To make your new toy bring not only joy, but also benefit to your cat, purchase high-quality products made from safe materials, free of pungent odors and small parts.

do-it-yourself, made of paper, homemade, out of the box, what can be done, photo, video

Cat toys – overkill or necessity? If beginner cat lovers still have this question, then cat breeders with experience know for sure that even if there are three cats in your house and they play wonderfully with each other, it will be useful for them to diversify their leisure time with a teaser toy. Chasing a toy mouse from time to time is not shameful for a large adult cat, and even for a small cat this is a completely useful gift.

Already from the first week of living in a kitten’s house, it becomes clear that he needs trifles for games, because he is, in fact, a small child who loves to frolic, run and do something interesting. But before you run to the pet store for special expensive things, you should think about how to make a cat toy yourself, from improvised materials, thereby saving a lot of money and enjoying the creative process.

Contents

• 1 The importance of toys for the development of kittens
• 2 General requirements for pet toys.
• 3 Gallery: DIY cat toy (25 photos)
• 4 How to make DIY cat toy: ideas cat toy out of the box
  • 6.1 Sorter track out of the box and toilet paper rolls.
  • 6.2 There are never too many holes – the simplest game with a box
  • 6.3 Boxing paradise for purr
• 7 What can be done for a small kitten
  • 7. 1 other types of hand -made Maida

The importance of toys for the full development of kittens 9000,

Home cats, not having the opportunity to walk on the street, on the street, on the street, on the street. they are more lazy, losing their health, and their natural instincts and innate skills become dull, weaken, which also negatively affects the condition of the animal – the cat can get bored and even get sick. To help fluffy be in shape, keep his instincts and health at the level, and these funny trinkets are needed. Moreover, the simplest ones, made with your own hands from what everyone has in the house, are enough. They will not only amuse the kitten during the day, but also allow him to maintain his physical shape, throw out a lot of energy and sleep better later, giving his owner a rest.

General requirements for pet toys.

Regardless of whether a purchased or homemade trinket is used for caudate fun, it must meet the following requirements:

• Safety. The materials used for it must be environmentally friendly, with high-quality dyes, fillers, without sharp corners, protruding threads and other imperfections.
• Strength. Having sharp teeth and claws, kittens can easily tear up cheap purchased fun, feast on its contents or parts, provoking health problems.
• Focus on the development of natural instincts. The best cat toys stimulate them to hunt, jump, run, hide, attack and so on.

All this can be easily realized in simple crafts made from waste materials. To choose what kind of toy you want to make for your pet, take a look at the gallery, see examples of finished work.

Gallery: do-it-yourself cat toy (25 photos)

How to make a do-it-yourself cat toy: ideas

A lot of things are used to create interesting trifles for your pet. The most suitable and therefore popular materials are:

• Paper.
• Soft thick fabric.
• Cardboard.
• Yarn.
• Mech.
• Pencils.
• Rubber balls, including soft ones, for tennis and the like.
• Wine bottle caps.
• Empty boxes in various sizes.
• Thread spools, thread spools, etc.

It’s easy to make a cat’s play out of this.

Best Pet Craft Ideas

Cats, big and small, love things that they can jump up and down and chase after.

They will love these options:

• Various pendulums made of cardboard and paper.
• Rattles from jars, containers from kinder surprises, small bottles.
• Stick puppets.
• Sticks with a bunch of feathers at the end.
• Textile mice from socks, knitted gloves, scraps.
• Yarn pom-poms on a small thread.
• Plain cardboard box with holes of various shapes and sizes.
• Ball made of fabric, sock, nylon or foil.
• Rustling bag with several rubber balls inside.

The crafts are easy to make and great for both small and adult cats to play with. In addition, they will be a great alternative to expensive, but not always high-quality analogues from a pet store.

How to make a cat toy out of paper

In every house there is an A4 sheet or a double sheet from a notebook. And a simple cotton thread, a piece of yarn, twine. That’s all you need to create a paper butterfly. We make an accordion out of a sheet, tie it in the middle with a strong thread and proceed to the fun. For some reason, all the tailed ones are simply delighted with such a simple thing and are happy to chase after it.

In every house there is an A4 sheet or a double sheet from exercise book

To be sure to please your pet, wind several butterflies of different sizes and even colors. He will be able to play with them without the participation of the owner, if you hang them around the apartment, for example, on the crossbars of chairs, under tables, on door handles.

Homemade cat toy out of the box

The indisputable fact that purrs love all kinds of boxes can also and even should be used when it comes to crafts for our little brothers. There are many options for crafts from them, but the most interesting are sorters and houses.

Sorter track from a box and rolls from toilet paper.

These, at first glance, absolutely unnecessary items, in fact, will be a great nursery rhyme for a kitten.

To make it you will need:

• Shoe cardboard box.
• Toilet rolls – quantity depends on the size of the box.
• Adhesive.

These, at first glance, absolutely unnecessary items, in fact, will be a great nursery rhyme for a kitten

Carefully place the bushings inside the box, smearing them with glue on the bottom circle so that they stick to the bottom and on the outside to glue them together. Decorate the resulting sorter with pompoms, hanging ribbons, yarn fringe, small soft animal figures, decorate it with bright colors.

There are never too many holes – a simple game with a box

For this craft, you will need a relatively thin box, for example, from pizza, a picture, and similar goods. The main thing is that the sides are of low height.

We take a workpiece and randomly cut identical round holes of such a size that the pet’s paw fits freely in it. Close tightly and give to your pet.

For this craft you will need a relatively thin box, for example from pizza, paintings and similar goods. Then the cat will not slide on the floor when playing.

Purr box paradise

Don’t bother buying an expensive cat house at a pet store, because you can make it yourself from the same cardboard boxes of different sizes.

To create a cat house you need:

• Several boxes made of strong cardboard. They can be the same or different in size, but the smallest pet should easily climb through and not get stuck there.
• Adhesive, preferably acrylic, odorless and colorless.
• Ornaments of your choice, without them it will be fine too.

Do not bother and buy an expensive house for a cat in a pet store

First of all, you need to group the “rooms”, building the future home of the fluffy one at your discretion. With a pencil or pen, mark the position of all the holes for the entry and exit of the animal so that it can climb through the rooms without going outside each time. Then glue them one by one, lubricating them with plenty of glue to hold them tight. Outside the house, for greater aesthetics, cover with a thin layer of paint (gouache, watercolor) or simply draw cute drawings with pencils, felt-tip pens.

And if you hang small trinkets in every room, then there will be no limit to the delight of the purr for a long time to come.

What can be done for a little kitten

For cat babies, there are also many options for crafts, the creation of which does not require a lot of money. Common to them is the presence of a thread to hang or pull the craft towards you.

There are a lot of crafts for kitty babies too

Here are some examples of simple handmade fun for kittens:

1. Textile animals, birds, fish. It is better for them to use felt, fleece, any other durable, soft fabric. It is enough to cut out two identical parts of the figurine, sew them together, filling them a little with holofiber. Glue the finished product to a stick or sew a ribbon or thread to it for convenience.
2. Yarn pom-poms are perhaps the classics of cat fun.
3. Kinder surprise container rattles. We fill them with cereals, large beads, small bells, close them tightly and the noise maker is ready.
4. Fishing rods with tassels at the end. There are many variations – with and without threads, with tassels made of paper, yarn, fabric, foil, and so on.
5. Ordinary balls of paper, foil, bags. Despite their simplicity, they are able to absorb the attention of kittens for a long time.

These seemingly unremarkable little things will be great helpers in the care, upbringing and development of cats from birth. Is it worth it to buy expensive analogues in specialized stores, if everything can be done independently, thereby showing even more care and love for the pet, it is up to everyone to decide for themselves. But everyone knows that the best things are made by hand. Therefore, please your pet with a handmade toy, and he will definitely appreciate it.

Other types of handmade

The article describes how to make toys for kittens with your own hands