Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 11: Make a garland
• Method 2 of 11: Make a ringing ball
• Method 3 of 11: Make a puppet
• Method 4 of 11: Make a cuddly sock
• Method 5 of 11: Make a fishing rod
• Method 6 of 11: Make a feather stick
• Method 7 of 11: Playing with moving light
• Method 8 of 11: Make a toy for your cat to chase
• Method 9 of 11: Make a toy rat
• Method 10 of 11: Make a bird from yarn
• Method 11 of 11: Give an old stuffed animal a second life
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities
• Pendulum
• Ringing ball
• Puppet
• Cuddle sock
• Fishing rod

Cats need toys to exercise and to have fun. The best types of cat toys require skills that your cat would need if living in the great outdoors. Not all cats like to play with toys and some cats only like a certain type of toy. It can cost a lot of money to find out which toys your cat likes. There is no need to buy colorful, shiny cat toys at the pet store and often your cat will not find these very good toys either. Making your own cat toys at home can save you money and bond with your cat.

To step

Method 1 of 11: Make a garland

1. Cut a piece of cardboard in the shape of a rectangle. You can also use an empty cardboard roll, such as from a toilet paper roll.
2. Fold the cardboard over and thread a piece of string through it at the end. Insert the string so that you can dangle the piece of cardboard safely from one end. The toy should begin to resemble a sling that you can swing in front of your cat.
3. Pull the piece of cardboard slightly up on the rope and fold the bottom part over. This way the piece of cardboard will stay on the rope and the toy will remain intact when you swing it.
4. Hold the end of the rope and swing the piece of cardboard near your cat. The goal is to create a mobile and nimble toy that resembles a living creature as much as possible when you swing it. This will give your cat the feeling that it is hunting prey.

Method 2 of 11: Make a ringing ball

1. Find an empty pill bottle. If there is still a label on the bottle, soak or toddler it off.
2. Open the bottle and put one or two small bubbles in it. You can also use beads, dried beans, or uncooked popcorn, which will rattle instead of ring. This type of toy is designed to mimic the scuttling movements of a small prey. The rattling or ringing content will grab your cat's attention when you throw the toy at him, and his hunting instinct will make your cat want to chase the toy.
3. Make sure the toy is closed. If you think the cat can open the bottle despite the child cap, seal the cap with duct tape.

Method 3 of 11: Make a puppet

1. Find a small stuffed animal. Choose a stuffed animal that resembles an animal that your cat would like to hunt, such as a mouse. Your cat will find stuffed animals made of materials that resemble wool, fur, or fleece the most attractive. You also need glue and a straw.
2. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the stuffed animal. Make the hole just big enough to insert the end of the straw.
3. Remove some filling material if necessary. When the stuffing comes out, get enough of it out of the stuffed animal so that your cat doesn't try to pull it out or eat it. Make sure to make the toy as safe as possible for your cat to play with and to minimize the risk of choking.
4. Squeeze a small dollop of glue on one end of the straw. Insert the straw into the stuffed animal and make sure it is secure.
   • It is recommended that you do not use tape for this step, as it may make the straw less secure and your cat may choke on the tape or filling material. Therefore, it is also recommended to remove the eyes of the stuffed animal if it is plastic eyes that are attached to the fabric. Your cat won't think the beast doesn't look like a mouse if it doesn't have eyes, and won't try to chew or swallow the eyes if you remove them right away.
5. Hold the end of the straw and swing it back and forth in front of your cat. Let your cat jump or bite on it. However, do not let your cat play with this toy unsupervised as it could injure itself.

Method 4 of 11: Make a cuddly sock

1. Wear an old sock for several hours. Wear the sock just long enough so that the fabric smells like you.
2. Grab a large amount of catnip. Pull the sock over your hand, with your fingers holding the catnip at the bottom of the sock.
3. Drop the catnip into the toe area. Then turn the end of the sock over. The fabric does not have to be tight, just enough to wrap several layers around the sock.
4. Grab the toe part of the sock with the catnip in it and pull the sock over it. You should now have a new layer for the toy.
5. Repeat this, adding a little more catnip with each coat. You don't need much. Not all cats like catnip, but those that do are often very sensitive to it.
   • One theory why cats react so enthusiastically to catnip is because it affects the hypothalamus and stimulates the cat's hunting instinct. Some studies show that certain molecules in catnip for cats act as opioids, stimulating the pleasure center in the feline brain. Catnip has an effect on some cats. Only 30 to 70% of all cats respond to it.
6. Tie a knot in the end of the sock. It's a good idea to loosen this knot a bit so your cat can get to the catnip. If the cat has to make an effort to get food, it can take advantage of the natural hunting instinct that all cats are born with.
7. Give the toy to your cat. Some cats are immune to catnip, but cats that aren't will find the toy irresistible. Your cat will certainly enjoy playing with the toy, even if it doesn't like catnip.
   • Your cat will be able to smell that the sock smells like you, and may begin to associate your scent with the enthusiasm and pleasure of playing with catnip. This is why this toy is great for cats that have just been adopted.
     
     

Method 5 of 11: Make a fishing rod

1. Poke a hole in a ball and run a rope through it. Make sure the rope is secure.
2. Attach the end of the rope to a stick. Make sure the rope is long enough to use the toy properly.
3. Swing the end of the string across the room. Like the tinkling ball, this toy is designed to stimulate your cat's hunting instinct. The rope allows you to move the toy more smoothly, simulating the jerky, fast movements of a mouse.
4. Attach the stick to a plank of wood so your cat can play with it alone. This way your cat can play with the fishing rod when you are not at home.

Method 6 of 11: Make a feather stick

1. Find a long stick. The longer the stick the better. The cat must be able to scratch the stick and get out without scratching your hand or arm.
   • Do not poke your cat with the stick. This can seriously injure your pet. It is therefore a good idea to attach something soft and blunt to the end of the stick, such as cotton balls or a cut-open ping-pong ball.
2. Attach a small bunch of feathers to the stick. You can attach the feathers to the stick itself, or to the soft cotton balls or the ping pong ball that you attached to the stick. Cats often like toys with feathers because they look like birds, which are natural prey for cats.
   • Glue is the strongest way to attach the feathers, but if your cat bites off the excess glue and swallows it, it could become seriously ill. That's why it's a good idea to tape the feathers to the stick.
3. Swing the toy. You can pull the stick over the ground with feathers, let the toy dangle in the air or see what your cat comes up with.

Method 7 of 11: Playing with moving light

1. Darken the room. Turn off the lights and close the windows when it is light outside. Do not worry. Cats have excellent vision in the dark.
2. Grab a flashlight or a laser pointer. This does not have to be an expensive lamp with many functions. Your cat should find any light source in a dark room interesting.
3. Turn on the flashlight and move the beam across the room. Cats can see very well in the dark, and seeing a point of light in the dark will fuel their hunting instincts.
   • Be careful where you let the light shine. Your cat may only pay attention to the light and not the things in the room.

Method 8 of 11: Make a toy for your cat to chase

1. Find a longish flexible leash or a thick piece of string about three feet or longer. Also look for an old stuffed animal. It is best to use a stuffed animal that you are not attached to, as your cat can bite and tear the animal to pieces.
2. Tie the stuffed animal to the piece of string or flexible belt. Thread the leash through a hole or simply tie the leash around the stuffed animal.
   • You can also use a ribbon.
3. Play with the toy. This toy is similar in design to the puppet and fishing rod described above, and you can use the rope or ribbon to use the toy to simulate the movements of a real animal. This is an exciting and enriching way to play for cats. You have a few options here:
   • Pull or swing the toy in front of your cat (this works best for kittens). Let your cat find out what it is and then let him play with it.
   • You can use this toy to teach a kitten to climb a ladder to get to a bed, shelf, or a special place for the cat. Making a special place for your cat where he can "escape" the rest of the house can be as good for your cat as playing with him.
   • Walk around the house and pull the toy behind you. This is useful if your cat wants to go outside, but you want to keep it inside. You can also make your cat tired with this.
   • Tie the toy to a door handle when you are not at home.

Method 9 of 11: Make a toy rat

1. Get a sock, some yarn, catnip, scissors, a sewing needle, and some thread. If you don't have yarn, you can use some yarn instead.
2. Cut the heel out of the sock. The bottom of the sock should now resemble a bag. This will become the rat's body.
3. Fill the sock with catnip. This step is not required, as your cat will likely want to hunt a rodent toy that does not contain catnip.
4. Insert one end of the yarn or thread into the hole in the sock. Sew the hole closed. You can decide how well you want to sew up the rat's body. Some cats may want to open the toy to get to the catnip, but other cats are fine with playing with the toy without opening it.
5. Make the ears. Do this by cutting two circles from the piece of fabric at the heel of the sock.
6. Sew the ears on the front of the toy. The toy should now start to resemble a rat.
7. Rotate the leg section to make a tail. You can sew on the "tail", but if you are using catnip you will want to change it from time to time. It may be easier to tie the tail with a piece of stretch fabric or a ribbon.
8. Give the toy to your cat. As with other hunting toys, this toy should encourage your cat's natural hunting instinct.

Method 10 of 11: Make a bird from yarn

1. Gather your materials. You will need soft, fluffy yarn, a sock, scissors, catnip, a needle, some thread and some feathers.
2. Cut the toe section of the sock. You can discard this part as you don't need it to make the toy.
3. Fill the sock with catnip and sew the sock closed. This step is not required, as your cat will already be eager to play with something similar to its natural prey.
4. Wrap the yarn around the sock. Tie the yarn at one end of the sock, then wrap it completely around the sock so you can't see the sock. Tie the other end of the yarn.
5. Sew some feathers onto the toy. Pick a few places to sew feathers on. Tuck them under a loop of the yarn and use a needle and thread to sew the feathers together. The yarn will also not come off.
6. Swing the toy in front of your cat's head. Your cat will really like this toy because it combines a stuffed animal with feathers.

Method 11 of 11: Give an old stuffed animal a second life

1. Find an old stuffed animal that is no longer being played with. Again, it is best to use a stuffed animal that you are not attached to, as your cat will likely want to rip and bite the animal.
2. Cut a small hole. If you know your cat likes catnip, put a small amount of it in the stuffed animal. Sew the hole neatly closed.
3. Tie a string or ribbon around the toy if you want to be able to drag it around the house. This step is optional. Your cat may prefer to play with the toy alone, or he may like to chase the toy as it drags around the room. Again, you will have to take the time and be patient to find out what your cat's preferences are.
4. Give your cat his new toy. If you have a string tied around the stuffed animal, swing the toy back and forth in front of your cat. This will help your cat understand that it will have to chase the toy.

Tips

• Bells are very suitable for blind or partially sighted cats. Because they can hear the toy, blind or partially sighted cats can play well with it.
• Some cats are already satisfied with a stuffed animal. Try out different types of toys to find out which one your cat likes best.
• Use balls. Tennis balls, ping pong balls, bouncing balls, stress balls, etc. Cats will be fascinated by most of the little balls, as well as all the other toys they have to chase.
• A bead chain or an old chain can also be fun for a cat to play with. Keep in mind that cats can choke on these “toys”.
• Scents are important to a cat. When making cat toys, it's a good idea to think of ways to use his sense of smell, sight, hearing, and touch. The more senses the better.
• Leave a ping pong ball in the tub when not in use. Your cat will explore and have a good time. (Do no water in the bath.)
• In some cases, the cuddly sock also works without adding catnip. Simply roll up the sock and throw it at your cat.
• Shoelaces with loops are also fun for your cat to play with.
• Kittens will play more than adult cats. It is normal for an adult cat not to want to play, but give it a chance to play and don't ignore it.
• Roll up some wrapping paper and let your cat jump and chase it. Always keep an eye on your cat when he is playing with paper or plastic to make sure he is not trying to eat the toy.
• Another suitable toy is to wrap something shiny in transparent duct tape, especially if you're shining on it with a flashlight in a dark room. Keep an eye on your cat when playing with this toy.

Warnings

• Never give grapes or chocolate to your cat.
• Some cats don't like toys or like to play with them on their own. Only try to play with your cat when it responds to your attempts.
• Your cat can choke on its toys. It is important to very be careful and your cat always keep an eye on when he is playing. Even rope, yarn and ribbons are things your cat can choke on and are recommended for your cat only under your supervision play with these homemade toys.

Necessities

Pendulum

• Small piece of cardboard
• Fairly thick wire about a meter long

Ringing ball

• Empty medicine bottle with a child lock (the smaller the better)
• Bells, beans or beads (you can buy these at a hobby store)
• Strong tape (optional)

Puppet

• Small stuffed animal
• Scissors
• Glue and / or tape
• Uncut pencil

Cuddle sock

• Old, thin sock
• Catnip

Fishing rod

• Sock
• Ball (a ping pong ball or a stress ball may be suitable)
• Rope
• A piece of wood as standard (optional)