Do-it-yourself toys for cats are fun for cats because they smell like you and have unpredictable movement. Things like paper towel rolls, feathers, bottle caps, old t-shirts, and catnip are all great materials to use to make DIY cat toys. This list will teach you how to make ten easy DIY cat toys using common household objects.
Cats are weirdly simple creatures when it comes to toys. They don’t care about bells or mouse-shaped toys. All they really care about is movement, texture, sound, and smell. Luckily for us cat lovers, those are things we already have readily available to us in our own homes. The key is improvising and thinking outside the box.
Why Cats Love Handmade Toys More Than You Think
Cats love stalking their food, but they also love stalking you. When you spend time making your cat a toy, your scent gets all over it. Even if you buy your kitty the coolest toy with the slickest movements, they probably won’t care about it as much as the empty toilet paper roll you roll around the floor. Everything I just said about what cats look for in toys can get more complicated really quickly, so let’s simplify it.
Your cat is a hunter. They might not be hunting mice in your house, but their brain still thinks they are. When you give them something that scratches that itch, they are going to go crazy for it. At least for a while.
Making toys for your cat might sound intimidating or silly, but please trust me when I say most of these things are easier than you think and will be loved by your cat. So without further ado, here is my list of 10 easy DIY cat toys you never knew you could make at home.
Getting Started: What You’ll Need
The great thing about DIY cat toys is that you should already have everything you need to make them around your house. Toilet paper rolls, old t-shirts, string, feathers, paper towel rolls, catnip, cardboard boxes, crinkly paper, you name it. I will list any extra materials you might need for each project, but aside from a pair of scissors and some non-toxic craft glue you probably have everything you need already.
10 Easy DIY Cat Toys
1.The Toilet Paper Roll Treat Puzzle
My favorite toy for cats who get bored easily is the good ol’ toilet paper roll treat puzzle. All you have to do is collapse one end of a toilet paper roll, fill it up with treats, and close the other end. From there, you can fold the roll closed as many times as you like, or you can poke small holes in it to let the treats slowly fall out. Either way, your cat will have a blast trying to figure out how to get all the food out.
2.The Crinkle Ball
Simply grab a piece of aluminum foil or any other crinkly paper and ball it up. I love these balls for cats because they make the craziest noises when they roll around. The unpredictable movements also keep cats entertained since they never know where that ball is going to bounce next.
3.The Feather Wand
Grab a handful of feathers or strips of crinkly fabric, tie them to the end of a wooden dowel (or even just a pencil!) with a piece of string, and you’re ready to play. Drag your new feather toy around the floor, wave it in the air, or hide it behind pieces of furniture. Keep your kitty guessing with erratic movements that resemble real prey animals.
4.The Old Sock Catnip Toy
All you have to do for this one is stuff an old sock with dried catnip or valerian (or both!) and tie it shut. Boom. Done. Seriously, that’s all it takes. Throw that sock around the house and your cat will spend hours kicking, biting, and bunny-kicking it all over the place.
5.The Cardboard Scratch Tunnel
Take a long rectangular cardboard box and cut large holes in the sides. This lets your cat scratch the cardboard while they hide, stretch, and run inside of it.
6.The Fabric Strip Tassel Toy
Cut a shirt or piece of fleece fabric into long thin strips, bunch them all together, and tie a knot at the ends. You can use a string to attach this fabric knot to your homemade feather wand and play with your cat, or just leave it on the ground for kitty to swipe at.
7.The Bottle Cap Spinner
Save up a bunch of plastic bottle caps. Place them on the floor and flick one with your finger. Before you know it, your cat will be chasing those bad boys all over the house! They spin, flip, and skitter all over the floor when they move, making them ultra unpredictable.
Remember: Always supervise your cat when giving them toys with small parts. While most cats are fine with playing with bottle caps, the small pieces can be a choking hazard for some.
8.The Paper Bag Crinkle Cave
Leave your cat an open paper bag on the floor. They will love batting at the sides, hiding inside, or batting anything that comes close with their paw. It’s as simple as that.
You can also put one of your DIY cat toys from this list inside the bag for extra fun, or cut a hole in the back so they can both get in and out of the bag easily.
9.The Ribbon Wand Teaser
Tie a long ribbon (or strip of fabric) to a stick, pencil, or rolled-up piece of cardboard. Slowly drag it along the floor in front of your kitty like a snake. You can also flutter it near their face or drag it along the edges of your furniture.
The best advice I have for this toy is to let your cat catch it once in a while. You don’t want your cat to get frustrated during playtime!
This DIY wand toy is my go-to for high-energy cats. It’s great at giving them an outlet for their prey drive and letting them expend some energy.
10.The Stuffed Paper Ball Tower
Stack paper towel rolls on top of each other into a pyramid shape and place a crumpled paper ball on top. Your cat will knock it off, knock the tubes down, and probably bat the whole thing around for fun. This toy is also great because you can tape the tubes together in different ways to create little towers or tunnels for the ball to roll around in.
FAQ
Are homemade cat toys safe?
As long as you don’t use anything small, sharp, or otherwise dangerous to cats, homemade cat toys are perfectly safe. The worst that will probably happen is they destroy them, so try to pick durable items you’re not super attached to. Avoid toys with batteries, detachable squeakers, and toxic materials.
How often should I rotate my cat’s toys?
Like people, cats get bored of seeing the same old thing every day. Rotating their toys out every few days is perfect. You don’t need to go out and buy your cat new toys all the time. Simply putting their toys away for a few days then bringing them back out is enough to make them feel new.
Can I use catnip with all of these toys?
Sure! Just keep in mind that not all cats are affected by catnip. It’s genetic whether or not they will respond to it. Between 30 and 50 percent of cats are not affected by catnip at all. If that’s the case with your kitty, try substituting it for silvervine or valerian root.
Final Thoughts
Not only are homemade cat toys cheap, but they also give you a sense of accomplishment that your cat sure as heck won’t show. Watch how quickly they attack the box you just emptied before tossing it in the trash. Turns out those random Amazon boxes were cat toy cubbies this whole time.
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