11 Ways to Make Cat Toys out of Things at Home

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-09 05:56

Cats need toys for exercise and recreation. The best types of toys for cats should be able to make cats perform the skill activities they need when living outdoors. Not all cats like toys, and some cats only like certain types of toys. Buying a toy that your cat loves can cost a lot of money. These toys don't have to be colorful, shiny items from the pet store, which cats often don't like. Making your own toys for your cat is more economical and brings you closer to this one pet.

Step

Method 1 of 6: Making Swinging Cardboard

Step 1. Cut a piece of cardboard into a rectangular shape

As an alternative, you can use used cardboard tissue rolls.

Step 2. Fold the cardboard in half and make a hole in the fold to attach the rope

Tie the end of the rope so you can swing the cardboard around. This toy will look like a pendulum that you can swing around in front of your cat.

Step 3. Tie the end of the string on the inner side of the cardboard fold and then pull it out through the hole

This will keep the string on the cardboard from coming loose and become a strong toy when you swing it around.

Step 4. Grab the end of the rope and swing the cardboard close to your cat

The goal is to make the toy attractive and easy to twirl, so that when you move it, it will look like a living creature. For your cat, this is like prey that needs to be chased.

Method 2 of 6: Making rattling balls

Step 1. Find an empty medicine bottle

If the paper label still remains on the bottle, peel it off and discard the label.

Step 2. Open the lid of the medicine bottle and insert a chime or two into it

Alternatively, you can use beads, dried beans, or corn kernels, which will make sounds too, as opposed to the tinkling sound of a bell. This type of toy is designed to imitate the movements of small prey running in a hurry. The rattling sound will draw the cat's attention to the toy when you throw it in any direction, and the cat's instincts as a hunter will make it want to chase the toy.

Step 3. Make sure that the toy bottle is tightly closed

If you think your cat might be able to open the bottle cap, also tape the lid to seal the bottle tighter.

Method 3 of 6: Making a Cat Puppet

Step 1. Find a small stuffed animal

If the stuffed animal is shaped like the prey your cat is going to chase, that's even better. This stuffed animal should be made of a material that resembles wool, fur, or fleece, which is more attractive to your cat. You'll also need glue and a blunt pencil.

Step 2. Make a small hole in the back of the stuffed animal

Make a hole just enough to fit a pencil through it.

Step 3. If the contents come out, throw them out a little so your cat doesn't pull out all the contents or eat the contents

You need to make this toy safe for your cat to play with and reduce the risk of choking.

Step 4. Apply a small amount of glue to the tip of the pencil

Glue the pencil into the doll and seal it securely for your cat.

It is recommended that you do not use tape to attach it, as it is not very secure and the tape or the contents inside the doll may cause your cat to choke. Don't think that your cat doesn't treat it like a mouse because the doll has no eyes, your cat may chew or swallow its contents if it comes out of the doll while the cat is playing with it

Step 5. Grab the tip of the pencil and swing the animal “puppet” in front of your cat

Let your cat grab it or bite it. However, don't leave your cat with this toy, as the cat can harm itself.

Method 4 of 6: Making Gift Socks

Step 1. Wear old socks for a few hours

Wear these socks so that the smell of your feet sticks to the socks.

Step 2. Take a few leaves of the catfish plant with your hands

Put the sock in your hand, and with your fingers grasp the cat plant and tuck it into the sock.

Step 3. Position the catfish plant to the end of the sock

Then, tie the open part of the sock. The ties don't have to be really tight, just enough so that the socks can be wrapped in a few more layers.

Step 4. Pull the toes from the sock containing the cat plant and make a knot

Now you have a new “layer” on the toy.

Step 5. Repeat this by adding a little cat plant on each layer

You don't need too many layers. Not all cats like cat plants, but cats who do are usually more sensitive to these toys.

One theory that explains why cats like cat plants is that these plants activate the cat's hypothalamus, thereby triggering a reaction to prey. Some studies suggest that certain molecules in the cat plant act like opioids for cats and trigger the satisfaction nerves in the cat's brain. Not all cats will be affected by the cat plant. Only about 30-70% of cats will react to a cat plant

Step 6. Tie a knot at the end of the sock

Tie a slightly loose knot, so your cat can reach the cat plant. “Trying” to get food allows the cat to enjoy its natural instinct as a hunter, because all cats are born with this instinct.

Step 7. Give the toy to your cat

Some cats are immune to the cat plant, but cats who are not immune will be very tempted by the cat plant. Even though your cat may not like cat plants, your cat will still enjoy playing with this toy.

• Your cat can smell your scent on the socks, and may be able to associate your scent with the fun and joy of playing with cat plants, making this toy a great toy for your newly adopted cat.

Method 5 of 6: Making Fishing Toys

Step 1. Make a hole in a ball and thread a string through it

Make sure that the rope is tightly tied.

Step 2. Tie the end of the rope to a piece of wooden stick

Make sure that you make the rope long enough to make the game even more fun.

Step 3. Wiggle the end of the rope around the room

Like rattling balls, this toy is designed to make your cat feel like a hunter. The rope helps you move the toy more flexibly, including making quick vibrating motions like rats do.

Step 4. Glue the string to a board so the cat can play on its own

Your cat will be able to play with this bobble fishing rod toy on its own even if you're not accompanying it.

Method 6 of 6: Making a Feather Stick

Step 1. Find a long piece of wooden stick

The longer this wooden stick, the better, as your cat will need to claw and lunge at the toy without clawing at your hand or arm.

• Don't poke your cat with a wooden stick. This can result in serious injury to your cat. Therefore, you will need to attach something soft and blunt to the end of the stick, such as cotton or a piece of ping pong ball.

Step 2.

Glue some feathers to a wooden stick.

These feathers can be attached directly to the ends of the sticks, or to cotton or ping pong ball pieces to the ends of wooden sticks. Cats usually prefer furry toys because they look like birds, which is one of the prey that cats usually pounce on.

Adhere with strong adhesive, but if your cat chews on the adhesive, the cat could become seriously ill. Therefore, you need to glue the bristles on the stick using masking tape

Shake the toy around the cat. You can pull these quill sticks around the floor, swing them in the air, or notice if your cat may have his own way.

Play with Light Movement

1. Darken the room. Turn off the lights and close the windows if there is light coming in from outside. Don't worry, cats have great eyesight in the dark!

   

2. Take a flashlight or laser wand. It doesn't need to be expensive, any light source in a dark room will attract your cat's attention.

   

3. Turn on the flashlight and move it around the room. Cats have excellent night vision, and seeing a spot of light in a dark room triggers a hunter instinct in him.

   

   Be careful with the beam moves you play with. Your cat only pays attention to the light, and nothing else around the room

   Making Prey Dolls

   1. Look for a long belt or thick, flexible rope, about 0.9 meters or more in length. Take also a stuffed animal. It's best if you don't like this stuffed animal anymore, as your cat can tear and tear the toy.

      

   2. Tie the stuffed animal to a string or flexible belt. Tie the doll by making a hole in the doll's body or wrapping a string or belt around the doll.

      

      You can also use ribbon

   3. Use the toy. In terms of design, these toys are similar to animal "puppets" and bobble fishing rods, and you can use string or ribbon to play them in a way that mimics real animal movements. Cats are very happy and can be active when playing with them. Apart from that, there are several other options as well:

      

      • Drag or wave this doll in front of your cat (this method is most preferred by kittens). Let the cat try to understand the shape, then play with it.
      • You can use this toy to teach your kitten to climb stairs, which leads to a bed, closet, or other place that is just for your cat. Providing a special place for your cat to get away from the noise in the house is just as beneficial as a play activity.
      • Walk around the house dragging the toy. This is useful if the cat wants to go outside but you want to keep it indoors. This is also a good way to make him tired.
      • Tie this doll to the door handle when you leave the house.

      Making a Toy Mouse

      1. Take a pair of socks, woolen thread, cat plant, scissors, and sewing needle and thread. If you don't have wool, you can replace it with another thick yarn.

         

      2. Cut the heel of the sock. Now the sock will be shaped like a pocket. This will be the mouse body.

         

      3. Fill the socks with cat plant. This step is optional, as your cat may still want to pursue animal-shaped toys, with or without the cat plant filling.

         

      4. Thread the end of the wool or other thread into the hole of the sock. Sew tightly. You can decide how tightly you want to sew this part of the mouse's body. Some cats want to open it to immediately take the cat plant inside, while other cats may be quite content to play with the outside.

         

      5. Make the mouse ears. Make two circles from the heel pieces of the sock.

         

      6. Sew mouse ears on the front of the toy. At this step, the shape of the toy begins to appear.

         

      7. Twist the toe of the sock to form the tail. You can sew this tail, but if you're using a cat plant, you'll have to keep adding stuffing. It may be easier to add a tail by using an elastic band or ribbon.

         

      8. Give your cat a toy mouse. Like other game/prey shaped toys, this toy appeals to a cat's natural instinct to hunt.

         

         Making a Little Bird Puppet

         1. Gather the ingredients. You will need wool yarn, a pair of socks, scissors, a cat plant, a needle and thread, and a few strands of fur.

            

         2. Cut out the toes on the sock. You can discard this part, as it is not needed for the manufacture of toys.

            

         3. Fill the sock with cat plant and sew it tightly. Again, this is an option only, as your cat will also play with anything that resembles a prey animal.

            

         4. Wrap the sock in woolen thread. Tie a woolen thread at one end of the sock and wrap the entire sock until you can't see the shape. Tie the ends of the wool in a knot.

            

         5. Sew a few strands of fur. Choose a few points to glue the feathers together. Tuck the feathers between the wool threads and sew them together until they stick. Stitching will also prevent the wool from unraveling.

            

         6. Wave this bird toy in front of your cat. Your cat will love this toy, as it is a combination of a furry object and a stuffed animal.

            

            Turning Old Dolls Into New

            1. Look for an unused stuffed animal. Again, using a stuffed animal that you no longer like is the best option, as your cat will tear and tear it.

               

            2. Make a small hole. If you know that your cat likes cat plants, put some cat plants in the stuffed animal. Sew the holes neatly.

               

            3. Tie a string or ribbon around the doll so you can drag the toy around your cat. This step is optional. Your cat may prefer to play with the doll alone, or may prefer to play with you as you drag the doll around the room. Again, it takes time and patience to figure out what your cat likes best.

               

            4. Give this new toy to your cat. If you add a leash, swing the toy back and forth your cat, as if he had to hunt down this toy.

               

               Tips

               • The rattling balls are great for cats who are blind or have limited vision. By hearing the rattling sound, the cat can interact with the toy.
               • Some cats are satisfied with just playing with stuffed animals. Try a few different toys to determine which one he likes best.
               • Use the ball. Tennis balls, ping pong balls, bouncing balls, squeezable balls, etc. Most types of balls will attract the cat's attention, as will any other toy the cat can chase.
               • Beaded cords or unused necklaces can also entertain cats. However, be careful with these types of “toys”, as they can cause the cat to choke.
               • Smells are important for a cat. When making cat toys, find ways to spot smells as well as shape, sound and touch. The more the cat's senses are involved, the better the toy will be for the cat.
               • Put a ping-pong ball in the tub when not in use. Your cat will investigate the ball and have fun with this toy! However, "don't" pour water into the tub!
               • Sometimes in certain cases, the sock lumps don't need to be filled with cattan plants. Just roll up the sock and throw it at your cat.
               • Threaded shoelaces that resemble landline telephone cords can also be a fun toy for cats
               • Kittens prefer to play than adult cats. It's normal for an adult cat to lose interest in playing, but don't put the adult cat aside, give him a chance to play too.
               • Roll up some wrapping paper and let your cat pounce and play with this toy. Always supervise your cat when playing with paper or plastic, to ensure that the cat does not try to eat these toys.
               • If you wrap a shiny object with transparent tape, this can also be a good toy for your cat, especially if you shine a light on the object in a dark room with a flashlight. However, keep an eye on your cat while playing with this toy.

               Warning

               • Do not give your cat wine or chocolate.
               • Some cats don't like toys, or prefer to play alone without humans around. Play with your cat only when it responds to your involvement.
               • Your cat may choke on its own toys. It is important to be “very” careful and supervise the cat while playing, “at all times”. Rope, wool, and ribbon can choke your cat, and it's recommended that you "watch" your cat while playing with all your homemade toys.