Cats love to play. They are hunters by nature, and playing helps hone that instinct. We all know that manufactured cat toys can be expensive, but as cat owners, we want to make sure our feline friends are surrounded by the things they need, want, and love. Here are some easy, inexpensive toys you can make your cat, with items you probably already have in your home.
Crumpled Foil Ball
This is one of the simplest toys you can make, and it can keep your kitty occupied for hours. Simply wad up a piece of foil into a ball about the size of a quarter in diameter. Cats love the crinkly sound of the foil, and they are attracted to the shine as well. Toss the ball into the air and watch your cat bat it and chase it around.
Catnip Sock
Sprinkle a little catnip into the toe of an old sock, cut off the top, leaving about half an inch beyond the catnip. Stitch up the open end and it’s ready for your cat to enjoy. Instead of cutting off the top, you can simply tie a knot in the top, and toss it to your cat. If your cat doesn’t like catnip, you can use cotton balls in place of the catnip.
Rattle
Cats seem to love things that rattle and make slight noise. A couple of small pebbles, bells or dried beans placed in an old film canister or small plastic bottle with a lid makes a great toy for your cat. Make sure the lid fits tightly so that the toy won’t come apart, leaving a choking hazard for your cat.
Crocheted Toys
If you crochet, a great use for the bits of leftover yarn is to make crocheted mice, pillows, or balls for your cat. You can fill these toys with catnip, or plump with a little cotton batting or cotton balls.
Doorknob Toys
Cats love things that hang and swing that they can bat and swat. Buy a bag of colored pompom balls at your local craft store, take a length of elastic cord and needle, and start stringing the balls on the cord. Fill about half the cord, knot one end so the balls don’t slide off, and make a loop out of the other end. Hang the loop over a doorknob, letting the string of colored balls hang down for kitty to swat.
Gone Fishing
We’ve all seen them…the plastic rods with string and usually feathers attached that you can entice your kitty with. You can easily make your own ‘cat fishing’ toy by finding a small twig, tying a length of yarn or fishing line to it, and running the yarn through one of the leftover pompoms from the doorknob toy, or even a ping pong ball.
A Spot Of Light
Take a penlight and shine the light on the floor, move it in circles, or back and forth, and your kitty will chase the light. This is good for hours of fun, but beware, you may tire of this game before Fluffy does.
Scratching Post
Cats need to scratch, even ones who are de-clawed. Cover a foot long piece of 2X4 wood with a piece of sisal or thick burlap, using wood glue or small carpet tacks. Left-over carpet will work too, if you put the carpet side against the wood so that the backing is exposed.
"Crinkle Sack"
A paper grocery bag makes a purrfect crinkle sack. Cats love to crawl into sacks and hide. If you leave a sack lying around, make sure you check to be sure kitty is not inside before you crush it or throw it away.
Keeping your cat happy and playful doesn’t have to be expensive. By making your own toys, you can experiment with different ones to find just the right ones your cat enjoys most.
