Cats need toys for both exercise and fun. The best toys are those that mimic skills that the cat would have to employ if it lived in the wild. Not all cats love to play and some prefer to use only one type of toy. It can be very expensive to find the right toy that your furry friend likes. The bright and colorful toys found in pet stores are unnecessary and often disliked by the pet. Building toys for your cat yourself can save you money and allow you to establish a deeper bond with your pet.
Steps
Method 1 of 11: Cat Pendulum
Step 1. Cut a piece of cardboard in the shape of a rectangle
Alternatively, you can use a finished toilet paper roll.
Step 2. Fold the cardboard and tie it with a thread
Position the wire so that you can hang the cardboard safely by holding it by one end. The toy should look like a pendulum that you can swing in front of the cat.
Step 3. Tighten the thread around the cardboard, or make a hole to pass it through; then fold the cardboard down
This way the cardboard will stay on the wire and the game will not break when you move it.
Step 4. Hold one end of the thread and dangle the cardboard next to the cat
The goal is to make the toy agile and maneuverable, to make it look alive when you move it. This will make the animal believe it is catching prey.
Method 2 of 11: Create a Rattle Ball
Step 1. Find an empty plastic bottle (or jar)
If the container still has the label, remove it.
Step 2. Open the bottle and put a couple of bells or rattles inside
Alternatively, you can use beads, dried beans, or raw corn, which will still make noise. This type of toys are designed to replicate the movements of small prey. The noise will attract the cat's attention every time you pull the toy and its predatory instincts will prompt it to chase it.
Step 3. Make sure the toy is airtight
If you think the cat will be able to open the bottle despite the safety lid, use duct tape to secure it.
Method 3 of 11: Create a Puppet
Step 1. Find a small stuffed animal
Better if it looks like something the cat might chase, like a mouse. Pets made from materials similar to wool, fur or flannel will be most liked by the cat. You will also need glue and a straw.
Step 2. Drill a small hole in the bottom of the stuffed animal
The hole will need to be large enough for the straw to pass through.
Step 3. If your pet's stuffing comes out, remove enough of it so that the cat doesn't pull or eat it
The toy should be as safe as possible for the cat to reduce the risk of choking.
Step 4. Spray a small drop of glue on one end of the straw
Insert the straw inside the stuffed animal and secure it.
It is advisable not to use adhesive tape for this step, as it is less resistant than glue and dangerous for the cat that could choke. For the same reason it is advisable to remove the eyes, if they are plastic parts sewn to the fabric. The cat won't think the puppet doesn't look like a mouse because it doesn't have eyes, so take them off to prevent them from chewing or swallowing them
Step 5. Hold the end of the straw and move it in front of the cat
Let the cat attack the mouse or nibble on it. However, do not leave your cat with this toy unsupervised, as it could harm itself.
Method 4 of 11: Construct a Padded Sock
Step 1. Wear an old sock for a few hours
It will take time to impregnate it with your scent.
Step 2. Get a large handful of catnip
Place the sock over your hand, still holding the catnip with your fingers.
Step 3. Drop the catnip into the toe of the sock
Then, twist the end of the sock. It does not have to be fixed at all, but only to the point that you can rewind the sock with multiple layers.
Step 4. Take the toe of the sock with the catnip inside and pull the sock
You should now have a new "layer" on the toy.
Step 5. Repeat, adding more catnip for each layer
It won't take much. Not all cats like catnip, but those who do enjoy it also experience it in small amounts.
One theory holds that catnip acts on cats' hypothalamus, triggering their predatory instincts. Some research suggests that certain molecules in catnip act as opiates on cats, activating their brain's pleasure center. However, not all cats are affected by this plant. Only about 30-70% of all cats are
Step 6. Tie a knot at the end of the sock
You can make a rather loose knot so that the cat can reach the catnip. "Working" to get food allows cats to vent the predatory instincts with which they were born.
Step 7. Give the toy to your cat
Some cats are immune to catnip, but those who enjoy it will find the game irresistible. Even if the cat doesn't like catnip, they will still enjoy it.
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The cat will be able to smell you on the sock and may begin to associate your smell with the excitement and joy of catnip. This is why the toy is particularly suitable for newly adopted cats.
Method 5 of 11: Make a Fishing Pole Toy
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 20 Step 1. Drill a hole in a ball and thread a thread through the hole
Make sure it's tense.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 21 Step 2. Attach the end of the thread to a stick
Make sure you have enough thread to make the best use of the toy.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 22 Step 3. Move the end of the wire around the room
Like the rattle ball, this toy is also designed to allow the cat to feel like a hunter. The thread allows you to move the ball more smoothly, to reproduce the quick, jerky movements of a mouse.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 23 Step 4. Hang the line from a fixed point (perhaps from a pole fixed to the ground) to let the cat play alone
This will allow the cat to play with the makeshift fishing rod even when you are not present.
Method 6 of 11: Construct a Stick with Feather
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 24 Step 1. Find a long stick
The longer the stick, the better: the cat will be able to scratch and attack the toy without hurting you.
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Don't hit the cat with the stick.
You could seriously injure him. For this reason, you may want to attach something soft and round to the end of the stick, such as cotton balls or half-open ping-pong balls.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 25 Step 2. Attach a small cluster of feathers to the stick
You can attach them directly to the end of the stick, or onto the cotton or ping-pong ball. Cats appreciate playing with feathers, because they resemble birds, natural prey for them.
Glue is the strongest adhesive, but if the cat swallows it, it may feel bad. For this reason, you could use duct tape to attach the feathers to the stick
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 26 Step 3. Move the toy
You can pull the stick on the ground, move it in the air, or observe how the cat manages to play with it on its own.
Method 7 of 11: Play with Moving Lights
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 27 Step 1. Make the room dark
Turn off the lights and close the windows if there is light outside. Do not worry; cats see great at night!
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 28 Step 2. Get a flashlight or laser pointer
Nothing sophisticated is needed; any light source in a dark room should stimulate the cat.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 29 Step 3. Turn on the flashlight and move it around the room
Cats have excellent night vision and seeing a point of light in the dark will trigger the animal's predatory instincts.
Pay attention to where you point the light. The cat may only pay attention to the light and not to the environment around it
Method 8 of 11: Create a Toy to Chase
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 30 Step 1. Find a fairly long, flexible cord, or a thick thread that is about 1 meter long
Also find an old stuffed animal. Better to use a toy that you have no emotional attachment to, as your cat may break and tear it.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 31 Step 2. Tie the stuffed toy to the string or thread
Pass it through a hole or simply tie it to the toy.
You can also use tape to secure the toy
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 32 Step 3. Play with the toy
This toy is similar to the puppet and fishing rod in terms of design, and you can use wire or string to manipulate it to mimic the movements of a real animal. This type of toy is exciting and rewarding for cats. You have several options on its use:
- You can drag it or move it in front of the cat (more suitable for kittens). Let the animal figure out what it is, then play with it.
- You can use this toy to teach a kitten how to climb a ladder that leads to a cot, shelf or cat space. Dedicating a space to the cat, where it can "escape" from the rest of the house, can be as useful as playing.
- Walk around the house dragging the toy. This is useful if the cat wants to go out but you want to keep it indoors. It also serves to tire him out.
- Tie this toy to doorknobs when you are not at home.
Method 9 of 11: Build a Toy Mouse
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 33 Step 1. Get a sock, wool thread, catnip, scissors and a sewing needle
If you don't have wool thread, you can use cotton thread.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 34 Step 2. Cut the heel off the sock
The sock base should now resemble a bag. This will be the body of the mouse.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 35 Step 3. Fill the sock with catnip
This step is optional, because the cat will likely chase a mouse-like toy even without the incentive of catnip.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 36 Step 4. Insert one end of the thread into the hole in the sock
Sew it and close it. You can decide how much to close the opening. Some cats may want to open the toy for direct access to the catnip; others may be content to play normally.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 37 Step 5. Create the ears
Do this by cutting out two circles from the scraps of the heel of the sock.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 38 Step 6. Sew the ears to the front of the toy
At this point the toy should begin to take shape.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 39 Step 7. Twist the leg part of the sock to form the tail
You can sew the "tail" to keep it in shape, but if you are using catnip you may want to replace it from time to time. It may be easier to secure the tail with a ribbon or elastic band.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 40 Step 8. Give the toy to your cat
Like other prey-like toys, it should stimulate the cat's natural instincts.
Method 10 of 11: Create a Wool Bird
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 41 Step 1. Gather the materials
You will need: woolen thread, a sock, scissors, catnip, needle and some feathers.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 42 Step 2. Cut the toe from the sock
You can throw it away, because you won't need it in making the toy.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 43 Step 3. Fill the sock with catnip and sew it to close
Again, this is an optional step, as the cat will play with anything that looks like prey.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 44 Step 4. Wrap the sock with wool thread
Tie the thread to one end of the sock and wrap it all the way around so that you no longer see the sock. Tie the other end of the thread.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 45 Step 5. Sew some feathers
Choose places to add feathers. Slip them under a loop of the thread and use the needle and cotton thread to secure them. This will also prevent the wool from unraveling.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 46 Step 6. Move the toy in front of the cat
The cat will love this toy, which combines feathers with a stuffed animal.
Method 11 of 11: Give an Old Stuffed Toy New Life
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 47 Step 1. Find an old stuffed animal you don't want to keep anymore
Again, it is always best to use soft toys that have no emotional value, because the cat will want to tear and scratch the toy.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 48 Step 2. Drill a small hole
If you know your cat loves catnip, insert a small amount into the stuffed animal. Sew the hole well.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 49 Step 3. Tie a string or ribbon to the toy if you want to drag it around the cat
This step is optional. The cat may prefer to play alone, or they may like it more when you move the toy. It will take patience and time to figure out what your cat prefers.
Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 50 Step 4. Give the cat the new toy
If you have added a string, swing it back and forth in front of the animal, to make it clear that it should "hunt" the toy.
Advice
- The sock with your scent sometimes works even without catnip. Roll it up and throw it to the cat.
- Curled shoelaces usually keep cats entertained.
- Kittens play more than adult cats. If they don't want to play, that's normal, but at least try and don't ignore them!
- Bells are ideal for blind cats or cats who see little, because at least they can hear the noise.
- Some cats settle for a soft toy. Try out many different toys to figure out what your cat prefers.
- Use balls. It doesn't matter if they are tennis balls, ping pong balls, bouncing balls, making sounds… almost all balls like cats.
- Use a string of pearls or an old necklace, but make sure it isn't dangerous for the cat.
- Smells are very important to cats. When you build games, find ways that include the combined use of smell, sight and touch.
- Leave a ping pong ball in the bathtub (without water!), Your cat will immediately go to investigate and have a lot of fun!
- Roll up some wrapping paper and let the cat jump and point it. Always observe the animal when playing with paper or plastic to make sure it is not trying to eat the toy.
Warnings
- Never give grapes or chocolate to the cat.
- Some cats don't like to play when there are people around. Play with him only if he responds positively to your stimuli.
- Your cat may be choking on toys, always be careful and check him when he plays.
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