Cats are playful creatures by nature, and providing them with toys is a great way to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. However, buying toys from pet stores can quickly add up and strain your budget. Fortunately, you don’t need to break the bank to keep your feline friend entertained. In this guide, we’ll explore 20 creative and affordable DIY cat toys that will not only save you money but also bring joy to your beloved pet.
1. Crinkle Ball
Materials:
– An old plastic bag
– A jingle bell
– Some string
How to Make:
1. Cut the plastic bag into small squares.
2. Place a jingle bell in the center of a square.
3. Gather the edges of the square and tie them with a string.
Your cat will love the crinkling sound and have endless fun batting it around.
2. Feather Wand
Materials:
– A stick or dowel
– Some string
– Feathers
How to Make:
1. Attach a piece of string to one end of the stick.
2. Tie feathers to the other end of the string.
Wave the feather wand in front of your cat for them to pounce and play.
3. Sock Mouse
Materials:
– An old sock
– Some stuffing (cotton, fabric scraps, or even catnip)
How to Make:
1. Fill the sock with stuffing.
2. Tie a knot at the open end to seal it.
Your cat will love to bat, pounce, and even cuddle with this homemade toy.
4. Cardboard Box Maze
Materials:
– Empty cardboard boxes
– Scissors
– Tape
How to Make:
1. Cut holes in the boxes to create a maze.
2. Arrange the boxes and secure them with tape.
Cats love to explore and hide in these cardboard mazes.
5. Ping Pong Ball Track
Materials:
– An empty oatmeal container
– Ping pong balls
– Scissors
How to Make:
1. Cut holes in the oatmeal container large enough for ping pong balls to fit through.
2. Place ping pong balls inside the container.
Cats will enjoy the challenge of trying to catch the balls as they roll around.
6. Yarn Balls
Materials:
– Yarn
– Scissors
– Glue
How to Make:
1. Cut a length of yarn and dip it in glue.
2. Wrap the yarn around itself to form a ball.
3. Let it dry.
Yarn balls are great for batting and carrying around.
7. Paper Bag Hideout
Materials:
– An empty paper bag
How to Make:
1. Open the paper bag and place it on the floor.
Cats love to hide, pounce, and play in paper bags.
8. Toilet Paper Roll Treat Dispenser
Materials:
– Empty toilet paper rolls
– Cat treats
How to Make:
1. Place some cat treats inside the empty toilet paper roll.
2. Fold the ends of the roll to keep the treats inside.
Your cat will have to work to get the treats out, providing mental stimulation.
9. Catnip Pillow
Materials:
– Fabric scraps
– Catnip
How to Make:
1. Sew a small pillow using fabric scraps, leaving a small opening.
2. Fill the pillow with catnip and sew the opening shut.
Catnip pillows are perfect for kitties who love to roll and cuddle with their toys.
10. Feathered Fishing Pole
Materials:
– A stick or dowel
– String
– Feathers
– A small bell
How to Make:
1. Attach a piece of string to the stick and tie a bell to the end.
2. Tie feathers to the other end of the string.
Dangle the feathered fishing pole in front of your cat for an engaging playtime.
11. Tinfoil Ball
Materials:
– Aluminum foil
How to Make:
1. Crumple up a piece of aluminum foil into a ball shape.
The crinkly texture and sound will captivate your cat’s attention.
12. Puzzle Feeder
Materials:
– Empty plastic bottles
– Cat food or treats
How to Make:
1. Cut small holes in the plastic bottles.
2. Fill them with cat food or treats.
This DIY puzzle feeder will keep your cat entertained while they work to retrieve their treats.
13. Felted Ball
Materials:
– Wool roving
– Hot water
– Soap
How to Make:
1. Form the wool roving into a ball shape.
2. Wet the wool with hot water and soap.
3. Roll the wool between your hands until it hardens into a ball.
These felted balls are durable and great for batting and carrying.
14. Pipe Cleaner Spiral
Materials:
– Pipe cleaners
How to Make:
1. Twist pipe cleaners together to create a spiral shape.
Cats love to chase and bat at these spiral toys.
15. Feather and Bell Cluster
Materials:
– Feathers
– Small bells
– String
How to Make:
1. Tie feathers and bells to a piece of string to create a cluster.
The combination of feathers and bells will intrigue your cat.
16. Cat Tunnel
Materials:
– Cardboard box
– Scissors
How to Make:
1. Cut openings at both ends of the box to create a tunnel.
Cats enjoy crawling through tunnels, and it can be a hiding spot during playtime.
17. Sisal Ball
Materials:
– Sisal rope
– Glue
How to Make:
1. Wrap sisal rope around itself, applying glue as needed to secure it.
Sisal balls are excellent for scratching and batting.
18. Tissue Paper Avalanche
Materials:
– Tissue paper
How to Make:
1. Crumple up some tissue paper and toss it in the air for your cat to chase.
Cats love the rustling sound of tissue paper.
19. Laser Pointer
Materials:
– A laser pointer
Simply shine the laser on the floor or walls, and watch your cat chase the elusive red dot.
20. Bottle Cap Hockey
Materials:
– Bottle caps
Slide a bottle cap across the floor, and your cat will enjoy chasing it as if it were a mini hockey puck.
These DIY cat toys are not only budget-friendly but also a fun way to bond with your feline friend. Keep in mind that safety is essential when creating homemade toys for your cat. Always supervise playtime and ensure that the materials you use are non-toxic and free from small parts that could be swallowed.
By making these toys at home, you can save money while providing your cat with hours of entertainment and exercise. Plus, there’s the added satisfaction of knowing that you’ve created something special for your beloved pet. So, gather your materials and get crafty – your cat will thank you for it with purrs and playfulness!
