Like most cat owners, I’ve given into my buyer’s impulse after cooing and awing over the newest cat toy I’ve found sitting on a store shelf. I rush home with my new find, because I’m positive this is a toy that will impress my cats. But yet again, my idea of a great cat toy isn’t what my cats had in mind. Even though some cats don’t show it, all cats love to play and it’s usually not with the new cat toy you just bought them. When it comes to trying to find something your adorable kitty will play with, I always put my money where it’ll get the most bang for the buck. Homemade toys are easy to make, will give your cat hours of fun; with time out for naps, of course, and when they become worn or damaged, you can make a new one to replace the old one.
Cat toy manufacturers haul in millions of dollars a year selling cat toys that are cute and appealing to us, but boring and unexceptional toys to cats. I’ve spent hours choosing toys that I hoped they would play with, but not only was my money wasted on the toy, but my time as well. Even if they like the toy, it has a short lifespan before it’s destroyed, the cat becomes bored with it or it gets lost. Cats are just like kids and find the packaging more entertaining than the actual toy.
You can create a homemade cat toy in just a few minutes with whatever you have laying around the house. Old socks, paper, yarn or string are the beginnings to a fun toy your cat will play with. Be creative, but don’t get carried away and always keep in mind your cat’s safety with any toy, store bought or homemade. Cats will eat string and it can be deadly for them. The same thing goes for buttons, small bells, paper clips or anything small enough for a cat to swallow.
Cats love homemade balls. The one thing cats love to do, besides snoozing, is batting anything across the floor. My cats can entertain themselves for hours knocking a stray piece of dry dog food along the floor. Until the dog realizes it’s their food the cat is playing with and eats it. A homemade ball should be easy to knock around for proper stalking, chasing and attacking. One of the simplest cat toys you can make that will provide hours of fun for your cat is a crumpled up piece of paper. Keep in mind, however, a cat has a tendency to end the play session by shredding up the paper when she becomes bored with the game. Another easy way to make a ball is to wad up tin foil about the size of a tennis ball. No small sized balls of tin foil that could be swallowed by an attacking cat. If your cat loves catnip, spark her interest and excitement by adding some of her favorite weed inside the foil before wadding it up into a ball. Keep an eye on her, though and make sure she doesn’t try to eat the paper or the foil.
Empty tissue roll. Don’t discard that bathroom tissue roll, Christmas wrapping paper roll or the paper towel cardboard roll. All three make great homemade cat toys for your cat to bop around the living room floor. Tape up one end, add catnip and then tape up the other end. You can run a piece of string or yarn through the inside of the tube and hang it like a trapeze from a stick you can dangle at your kitty. The longer tubes can be made into a cat toy with a string hanging down from one end. Tie a ball of tin foil to a string and attach the string to one end of the tube so your cat has to reach inside to try and catch the foil ball. An empty roll is perfect just like it is if you want to just toss it on the floor as is for your cat.
String, yarn or rope is a cat toy that will really give your cat a good workout. Anything wiggling around on the floor will get even the most aloof cat into the action. I’ve yet to see a cat who can resist attacking a wildly moving piece of string attached to a stick. String and yarn should never be left unattended on the floor for your cat to play with later. Cats love to chew on string as well as chase it, but if swallowed could turn into an expensive vet bill.
A scratching pole that really works may not be considered to be a cat toy, but it is an essential piece of cat furniture to have in your home. A scratching pole the cat will really use does wonders to save furniture and baseboards from your cat’s desire to scratch things. It’s one of their ways of leaving their own “Kilroy was here” sign. It’s easy to make a scratching post using a tree branch and rope. Find a branch tall enough to give your kitty room to stretch. Starting at the bottom or top, snuggly wrap the rope around the branch. Staple or nail the end to keep the rope in place. The finish post can be stood up in a corner or attached to a flat, level board that’s stable enough to keep the post standing upright and can stand up to your cat’s attacks. You can use pieces of carpet in place of the rope.
Old sock cat toy works great stuffed with some jingle bells. Stuff the sock with around 10 bells, tie off the opening so the cat can’t get to the bells, attach a long piece of yarn and gently swing it around the cat to get his attention. You can leave out the bells and put catnip inside the sock.
A box of any size. A cat is just like a teenager and will try to squeeze into anything whether they fit or not. The smaller the box, the more fun the cat has. We may not think of a box as a cat toy, but for most cats, this is probably one of their favorites. A larger box has a lot of possibilities. I like to get a box large enough to cut holes in all four sides. Next, close the top and tape it shut and then cut two or three holes in the top. Make the holes just large enough for the cat to stick her paws in up to her shoulders. Drop a ball larger than the holes in the box inside and then stand back and give your cat plenty of room. The larger the box, the more room the ball has to roll around inside the box and the more your cat will have to move from hole to hole to find her “prey.
When buying or making a cat toy, treat them just like you would a kid’s toy. Make sure there are no small pieces that can be pulled off or drop off that could be swallowed by your cat. Remove any cat toy when it starts to come apart, store bought or homemade. Carefully monitor toys with squeakers and inspect them regularly to make sure the squeaker doesn’t fall out of the toy.
An improper cat toy can be dangerous. Not all toys are made with a cat’s enjoyment in mind. Most toys are geared towards the cat lover who will buy them. A cat could care less if her toy is homemade or store bought. She just wants to have fun chasing, batting and attacking anything that moves. Playing with your cat helps bond with your pet, so don’t worry if you can’t find the perfect cat toy for her. She’s happy playing with a piece of string on a stick or an old box with holes cut in the side.
Homemade Cat Toys, lovetoknow
Homemade Cat Toys, Best Cat Art
