DIY Toys For Cats And Cats: How To Make At Home, What Accessories To Prefer For A Kitten And An Adult Animal

2025 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-23 12:41

Homemade toys for cats

In its natural habitat, a cat will always find entertainment, be it a running insect or a leaf flying in the wind. At home, a bored pet does not know what to do with himself, and comes up with games on his own. The result - torn wallpaper, tattered furniture and night races with noise and crash. The solution to the problem will be toys that will brighten up the pet's leisure time and help him satisfy his hunting instinct.

Content

• 1 Why Cats Need Toys

  1.1 The role of toys in a kitten's life

• 2 How to choose a toy for a cat

• 3 DIY cat toys

  • 3.1 Cat mouse

    3.1.1 Video: do-it-yourself mouse for a cat

  • 3.2 Homemade ball

  • 3.3 Cat fishing rod

    3.3.1 Photo Gallery: Fishing Rod Tips

  • 3.4 DIY cat pompom

    3.4.1 Video: how to make a pom-pom for a cat at home

  • 3.5 Furry pet food toy

    3.5.1 Video: several DIY cat toys

  • 3.6 Homemade cat rattle

• 4 Interactive DIY Cat Toys

  • 4.1 Variant of an interactive toy made of plumbing pipes

    4.1.1 Video: Interactive Cat Toy

• 5 Dangerous toys for cats
• 6 Photo Gallery: Cats Playing With Homemade Toys
• 7 Testimonials from cat owners about self-made toys

Why cats need toys

A cat is by nature a predatory animal that needs to constantly move and hunt for a prey. Therefore, active games are not only entertainment, but also a vital necessity. Many owners, due to their busyness, cannot constantly entertain a fluffy pet. In this case, you should purchase the appropriate game products that will help the pet to occupy itself for some time.

If the cat is left alone, her leisure time should be occupied with various toys.

The main reasons for buying cat toys:

• keep the animal in good physical shape - during games, the muscles are strengthened and blood circulation is improved;
• satisfy "predatory" instincts;
• protect the house from the pranks of a bored pet;
• help to get rid of depression for an animal left alone;
• contribute to the mental activity of the cat;
• help to restrain aggression towards another pet living in the neighborhood;
• strengthen the relationship between the cat and the owner.

The role of toys in a kitten's life

It is very difficult for a kitten, cut off from its mother and a noisy company of brothers and sisters, to adapt to an unfamiliar environment. Toys will help your baby to cope with stress, get used to the new home and its inhabitants. At the age of three to four months, the pet's teeth begin to change. During this period, the kitten needs to constantly gnaw something. Correctly selected toys will help the little creature dull the pain when changing milk teeth.

The owner must periodically change toys for the kitten and take part in joint games

The toy helps the kitten:

• adapt faster in a new environment;
• get over the stress after breaking up with your mother;
• develop physically faster;
• gain experience and get to know the environment;
• sharpen growing claws;
• remove plaque and massage the gums when changing teeth;
• during joint games, establish close contact between the owner and the pet;
• quickly get used to other animals living in this house.

A kitten, like a child, quickly gets bored with the same toy. The owner needs to periodically please the baby with new products and participate in joint games himself.

My cat Cecilia, at the age of two months, passionately fell in love with the yellow rubber duck. Even, rather, not a duck, but a hybrid of a duck and a swan, because the toy had a long swan neck. The duck was almost the same size as little Tsilia, but this did not bother the cat at all. She slept with this toy, dragged it to the feeder. Often the duck was lying in a bowl of water, and sometimes it was forgotten near the tray. The love lasted for a while, and when Tsili's teeth began to change, my cat simply gnawed at the neck of her emotional affection. Our Tsitsilia has some kind of unhealthy love for rubber products, therefore, so that the duck is not gradually eaten, the cat had to eliminate it. The swan duck was replaced by chewy sausages and happily forgotten. By the way, Tsilya still loves these sausages until now.

How to choose a cat toy

In order for the toy to really interest the pet, you should pay attention to the important points:

• the material from which the toy is made must be ergonomic and not have a strong smell;
• do not use a toy of poisonous shades, as this can scare the animal away;
• you do not need to purchase toys that are too small, as the pet can swallow or choke on a small object;
• you should not give the cat a heavy toy, otherwise it will be difficult for the pet to move it;
• it is not recommended to give your pet an overly hard toy so that it does not hit the sharp corners of the product or break its teeth on a hard surface;
• the toy can be washed easily.

When choosing a toy, you should pay attention to the individual character traits of the pet, the state of health and its age restrictions. For example, if a cat gains weight after spaying, give preference to those toys that stimulate the animal to move. For a cat with poor eyesight, toys with soundtracks are suitable.

The best option is to offer your pet several toys and from this draw a conclusion about the preferences of the furry friend. Which senses should the toys act on in order to attract the attention of the animal:

• vision - glowing, moving, trembling toys (balls, laser pointer, sunbeams, running mice and various interactive constructions);
• hearing - bells, imitation of bird voices, rustling, bells, grinding;
• touch - fur or pile, similar to the skin of an animal;
• taste and smell - a specific smelling material, adding your favorite aromas to a toy (fish, poultry, meat, catnip, honeysuckle, etc.).

DIY cat toys

Some cats are completely indifferent to expensive purchased toys, but they are happy to play with an old tennis ball, a plastic lid, or a shiny candy wrapper found under the table. You don't have to empty the shelves of specialty stores or keep track of advanced news on the Internet to guess which toy will appeal to your pet. The easiest way is to make a device for games with your own hands. To do this, you just need imagination and improvised material that can be found in any home. Even small children can make the simplest designs.

The most basic way to entertain a cat is to throw a crumpled piece of paper on the floor, making an impromptu ball. You can just give your pet a ball of thread to tear apart. It is easy to turn a written notebook sheet into an unpretentious bow or a paper airplane. The main thing is that the animal is interested in a homemade toy. To do this, you need to show the cat how to use the toy, and it is better to take part in joint games with the pet.

A ball of thread is the most basic toy for a fluffy friend

Before entertaining your pet with homemade products, you need to consider the types of toys that you can make yourself:

• ball - round rolling objects of any size, color and material;
• bait toy - various mice, rats and other animals made of soft material;
• pendulum - in the form of a swinging pompom;
• toys with food - there is a pet treat inside;
• rattles - toys that make a sound;
• teasers - fishing rods with feathers and other toys that the cat hunts for;
• interactive toys - constructions that develop the intelligence of an animal.

Mouse for cat

The best toy for a cat is a padded mouse. Sewing it is not difficult at all. Even small family members can take part in the toy making process.

Materials and tools needed for work:

• pattern;
• dense fabric of any color;
• stuffing material (cotton wool, synthetic winterizer, synthetic winterizer, etc.);
• thread and needle or sewing machine;
• scissors;
• chalk or soap to outline the pattern.

Master class on making a typed mouse:

1. Make a toy pattern. It consists of two side parts, a tummy, ears and a tail.

   

   First you need to make a pattern for the toy

2. Transfer the pattern to the fabric. Circle the stencil with chalk strictly along the contour.

   

   We outline the pattern strictly according to the stencil

3. Cut out all the details.

   

   Scissors cut the workpieces along the contour

4. Fold the sides of the body together and sew or sew on a typewriter.

   

   Fold up the side parts and sew

5. Sew the tummy to the side details, leaving a small hole to turn the torso out.

   

   Sew the tummy to the side parts

6. Unscrew the torso details.

   

   We turn the torso to the front side

7. Fill tightly with filler, helping to tamp the synthetic winterizer with a pencil.

   

   We fill the toy with filler

8. Sew a ponytail. Fold the strip in half and sew without finishing in the wider part.

   

   Sew the ponytail and turn it to the front side

9. Insert the unfinished end of the ponytail into the mouse and sew with a blind stitch.

   

   We insert a tail into the remaining hole and sew up the body

10. Sew the ears by folding the two pieces of the pattern together and turn them out.

    

    Sew the ears from two parts and turn out

11. Sew them one by one to the mouse.

    

    Sew on the finished ears one by one

12. Embroider or draw eyes and nose.

    

    We embroider eyes and a nose

Video: do-it-yourself mouse for a cat

There are many more ways to make a pet mouse with your own hands. Mice can be made of fur, leather and other improvised material. It is better if the toy does not have small parts in the form of beads and buttons, because the cat can swallow them and choke.

Homemade ball

The cat does not need an expensive store ball at all. She will gladly play around with a plastic lid or an old tennis ball. Even a hastily made ball from an unnecessary piece of paper, the pet will be quite pleased.

To make a simple device in the form of a ball, you only need food foil.

Foil ball making process:

1. Take ordinary food foil.

   

   We take food foil

2. Tear off a small piece.
3. Form a ball by rolling between the palms.
4. Tear off a larger piece of foil and roll our base into it.

5. Form a ball of the required size.

   

   We form the desired shape of the ball

A pet ball is made from any material at hand - paper, thread, fur, and even an old sock. You can fill it with padding polyester or cotton wool, and add catnip herb (popularly - catnip) to the filler for more interest in the toy.

My cat is eight months old, but she is completely indifferent to catnip. We took drops of catnip and sprayed it on the scratching post. There was absolutely no reaction. But it seems that our pet has found a new passion. Recently, my mother was sorting through things in her wardrobe and found a raccoon collar from an old jacket. I suspect that this is not a raccoon, but a dyed cat, because Cecilia immediately chose the skin. She has recently been carrying fur in her teeth, puts her to bed next to her and plays with him for a long time. Tsilya, it seems, considers the collar to be her close relative, because she often grumbles at it, and sometimes beat it. I don't know how long this attachment will last, but as long as the cat is carried away by a harmless toy, we are calm for her.

Cat rod

Cats love to hunt for an elusive object. With the help of a fishing rod, the cat can be occupied for hours. The owner is directly involved in this game, so the pet doubly appreciates such games. For particularly lazy owners, you can make a fishing rod with a long rod to tease the animal while sitting in a chair.

For a homemade fishing rod you will need:

• a stick of any size or a rod from a store fishing rod;
• tape of any color;
• lace;
• insulating tape;
• feathers;
• construction knife;
• glue gun.

Step-by-step instructions for making a fishing rod with your own hands:

1. Take a stick of the right length.

   

   We take a stick of any length

2. Decorate the stick by wrapping the required amount of duct tape on the stick. Cut the rest with a construction knife.

   

   We wind some electrical tape on a stick

3. Stick the electrical tape at the same distance.

   

   At the same distance, decorate the fishing rod with electrical tape

4. Tie the feathers with a string.

   

   We tie the feathers with a cord

5. Ribbons can be tied for extra rustling.

   

   For additional rustling we attach ribbons

6. Cut the end of the tape with scissors and glue.

   

   Cut the end of the tape and glue it

7. Connect the feather string and stick with a glue gun.

   

   We connect a lace with feathers and a stick with a glue gun

8. Ready fishing rod.

   

   This is what a homemade fishing rod looks like.

Cat fishing rods are a versatile version of a teaser toy, because boring or frayed baits can be constantly changed. Rustling ribbons, furry mice, laces, dry blades of grass and even an ordinary piece of cloth will be an excellent object for hunting.

Photo gallery: fishing rod attachments

The curtain brush is one of the easiest cat attachments

Oddly enough, cats really like foam curlers.

A light piece of cloth or a handkerchief will become cat bait

Cats can selflessly play with paper bows for hours

This small stuffed toy will be a great attachment for a fishing rod

DIY cat pompom

Cats react to any movement, so a toy swinging like a pendulum will attract attention and, possibly, become a pet's favorite game. It is very simple to make a pompom, and there is material for it in any home.

To make a pompom you will need:

• woolen threads of any color (you can make a pompom from threads of a contrasting color);
• two discs with holes in the middle (the larger the hole, the smaller the pompom);
• scissors, preferably manicure.

The process of making a homemade pompom:

1. Take colored thread and two cardboard discs with round holes inside.

   

   We take threads and discs pre-cut from cardboard with holes in the middle

2. Unwind some of the threads. The main thing is that they pass into the inner hole of the disc.

   

   We take part of the threads so that they pass into the hole

3. Fold the two discs together.

   

   Putting two disks together

4. Start winding the thread around the discs.

   

   Let's start wrapping cardboard discs with string

5. Wrap several layers. The more layers, the more magnificent the pompom.

   

   The more layers, the more magnificent the pompom

6. Cut the threads between the discs from the outside.

   

   We cut the threads between the discs with nail scissors

7. Tie a pompom between the discs with a thread.

   

   We pull the pompom with a thread in the middle

8. Pull several times and secure well.

   

   We wrap the thread between the discs several times and fix it well

9. Remove the discs by inserting the threads through the holes.

   

   We remove cardboard discs by pulling through the holes or using scissors

10. Give a cat to play.

    

    The cat really likes to play with the pompom

Video: how to make a pompom for a cat at home

youtube.com/watch?v=iuHFVLIu-lo

Pompons can be made not only from threads, but also from scraps of material, pieces of fur and plush. The good thing about the Pompom toy is that the cat can play with it without the participation of the owner.

Furry pet food toy

Food toys can be made from the most basic materials in minutes. The main task for the pet will be to extract a favorite treat from the toy. And the longer this process is, the more the cat likes it.

For an elementary toy with food you will need:

• toilet paper roll;
• cat's food;
• stationery knife.

The process of making a toy with treats:

1. Take toilet paper roll and cat food.

   

   To make a toy with food for a pet, you will need a toilet paper frame and cat food

2. Arbitrarily cut holes in it with a clerical knife. The holes should be large enough to allow the cat food to slip through the holes.

   

   With a clerical knife we make holes the size of a granule of cat food

3. Check to see if feed is coming through the holes.

   

   We see if the feed pellets crawl through the holes

4. Press on the edge of the sleeve and press it inward with a crushing motion.

   

   Press on one edge of the sleeve, pushing it inward

5. Pressing on the second edge, form the bottom of the box.

   

   Close the second bottom edge with a crushing motion

6. Add food.

   

   We fall asleep inside an impromptu box of cat food

7. Close the second bore of the bushing with the same crushing movements.

   

   Close the second side of the sleeve

8. Give a box to play with the cat.

This toy can be made from a plastic bottle or container. The main thing is that the container is clean and does not have foreign odors.

Video: several DIY cat toys

youtube.com/watch?v=ufflHWvXXvc

By independently obtaining food from such toys, the cat will get tired thoroughly and will require much less attention to itself. Sometimes, after such games, the animal is pretty disappointed when it receives food in an ordinary bowl.

Homemade cat rattle

Elementary rattles for cats can be made by hand in just a few minutes.

Elementary pet toys made in minutes

Source materials:

• container from Chupa Chups, Kinder surprise or shoe covers;
• small items: fish oil in capsules, cereals, peas, etc.;
• Scotch;
• scissors.

Cat Rattle Making Process:

1. Get a container from Chupa Chups, Kinder Surprise, or shoe covers.

   

   We take a round container from Chupa Chups, Kinder Surprise or Bahill

2. Put a few small objects into it that create noise when moving (ideal is fish oil in capsules or cereals).

   

   Falling asleep objects that create noise

3. Close the case tightly.

   

   Close the case tightly with the items inside

4. For greater safety, glue the junction with tape.

DIY interactive toys for cats

Interactive toys help develop the mental abilities of the animal. It can be a variety of tunnels and puzzles that encourage the cat to dodge obstacles in order to win the trophy. Such designs can be made by hand without overpaying extra money.

Option of an interactive toy made of plumbing pipes

Material that will be required to make a toy:

• four plastic knees;
• insulating tape;
• drill;
• construction knife;
• blowtorch;
• tennis balls 4-5 pieces.

The process of assembling an interactive toy from plumbing knees:

1. Take 4 plumbing taps.

   

   We take four plumbing knees

2. First connect two knees, wrapping around the edges with insulation for a tighter joint.

   

   Connect the first two knees

3. Connect the remaining bends in pairs.

   

   We connect the following knees in pairs

4. Combine both designs into a vicious circle.

   

   Uniting all four tribes

5. Randomly drill holes into which the cat's paw can freely climb.

6. Use a construction knife to remove the burrs from the edges.

   

   We clean the edges from irregularities

7. To keep the edges smooth, it is better to melt them with a blowtorch or lighter. You can additionally walk along the edge with an emery cloth.

8. Put ping-pong balls inside the structure.

   

   Throwing ping-pong balls into the cat's maze

9. Offer the cat to test the design.

Video: interactive cat toy

These toys can be made from a shallow food container or a cardboard shoe box. If you replace ping-pong balls with your favorite treats, you get a kind of dispenser feeder. To get food, the pet will have to move a lot, and it will not work to eat all the food at once. Such constructions are very beneficial for overweight cats.

Dangerous toys for cats

1. It is strongly not recommended to put chocolate and grapes in toys. Chocolate is harmful to the animal, it is easy to choke on grapes.
2. You should not make toys with elements such as buttons, beads and other small parts. The cat can swallow and choke on the fittings.
3. Better to use white paper for toys. Newspapers containing ink can be toxic.
4. Toys on a string can be extremely dangerous for a kitten. Tangled in the rope, the baby can suffocate in this structure.
5. Spring toys are not safe either. A pet often tears off a toy, and a bare spring with sharp ends seriously wounds the animal.
6. Cats' beloved boxes are also dangerous. If the hole in the box is small, chances are the pet will get stuck in it.

Before giving a new toy to an animal, you should make sure that it is reliable and durable. The best way is to test the product in a cooperative game.

My cat is absolutely indifferent to purchased toys, and she is not particularly interested in homemade ones. The best toys for her are plastic bottle caps, ear sticks, cocktail tubes and other junk that the cat constantly fish out from somewhere. But the favorites among Tsili toys are rubber products. Our miracle anxiously loves silicone rubber bands for hair, which we hide from her, however, with varying degrees of success. Balloons in our house are taboo, because Tsilya not only pierces them, but also eats them with great appetite. The anti-scratches that we practiced at one time were completely chewed. Tsilya even got sick of them several times, which is why we refused to use this accessory. The veterinarian told us that sometimes they extract incredible objects from the stomachs of cats, so you need to carefully monitor what the pets are playing with. We are trying to find toys for Tsile that will interest the animal and certainly will not harm.

Photo gallery: cats playing with homemade toys

Little kittens need toys to hunt

A ball of thread is one of the simplest toy options

Boxes and bags are some of the favorite cat entertainment

Cats love soft knitted toys

Cats love to hunt fishing rods with a variety of baits.

You can even keep the kitten busy with a roll of toilet paper.

An interactive toy can be made out of a cardboard box

Testimonials from cat owners about self-made toys

There is no perfect cat toy in nature. So that the pet does not get bored, it periodically needs to be pampered with new products. It is worth remembering that not a single, even the most exciting toy can replace communication with the owner. Therefore, it is better to devote your free time to playing games with your pet and testing a new craft together.