How to Make Toys for a Cat

Find a cardboard box

Cats, like young children, love to crawl inside cardboard boxes.  A box, with a little imagination, can become a fort to defend, an secret hideout, or just a perfect napping place.  Leave a box or two sitting around, and your cat will thank you!

If you don't have any boxes handy, try asking if you can take home a copy paper box from work.  Liquor stores and grocery stores will also usually be willing to give you free boxes.  Copy paper boxes and liquor boxes are perfect for cats because they are sturdy and just big enough to crawl into.   

Make a cat rattle

Some cats are frightened by noises, but others love making a racket.  If your cat enjoys sounds, she'll love batting a homemade cat rattle.  To make the rattle, take an empty medicine bottle, wash it thoroughly to make sure that the medication did not leave a residue, and then add a few dried beans, pebbles, or beads.  Put a thin line of superglue around the rim of the bottle, and then screw the cap on tightly.  The glue will make sure that the cap stays on, and the small objects stay inside.  Objects like beans, pebbles, or beads could be a choking hazard if the bottle came open.  

Create a candy-wrapper pom pon

Cats love to play with the trash, and will often forage for their own "toys" in the waste basket.  They seem to be especially fond of loud, crinkly wrappers. 

To make a candy-wrapper pom pon, start with a pile of five or six clean candy wrappers.  (The outer wrappers of Reeses Peanut butter cups work best.)

Next, thread a large needle with some upholstery thread or other sturdy thread.  Tie a knot it the end of the thread, and push the needle through the center of the pile of wrappers.  Pull it out the other side.  Put the tip of the needle in a new spot and punch through the stack of wrappers again.  Pull the thread taught.  Repeat a few times until the stack is sewn together to your satisfaction, then tie off the thread and cut it. 

Fluff up the pom pon by crinkling up the wrappers one layer at a time.  Toss the new toy to your cats and watch them bat it across the floor.

Make a cat fishing pole

A cat fishing pole consists of a dowel rod with a string tied to one end and a cat toy on the other end of the string.  The dowel rod functions as a lever, so that as you hold the end of it, even a small hand movement will make the toy jump and dance for your cat.  Cat fishing poles can be especially handy for luring a reluctant feline out from under a couch or bed. 

The toy on the end of the string can be a baby sock mouse, a candy wrapper pom pon, or a commecial cat toy.  Changing the toy from time to time will help keep the fishing pole fresh and interesting for your cat.

Get your cat a cat

The idea of cats as solitary creatures is a myth.  Cats are very social animals and love to play together, groom each other, and sleep together.  Introducing a new cat into your home can be a challenge, and there will be hissing and growling at first, but once the cats are acclimated to each other, they will almost always become friends.  Getting your cat a feline friend to chase and wrestle with is a good way to keep him active and happy.  Young kittens should be adopted in pairs so that each kitten has a friend her own age.  Petfinder.com will help you locate a new cat, or you can check your local animal shelters.  If you have a particular favorite breed, try using a search engine to find a breed-specific rescue society.   

Make a baby sock mouse

Baby socks are the perfect size for turning into cat toys.  Pick up a package of baby socks at a discount store (or use some you have already), stuff them with pillow stuffing, and then tie them closed with a string, making sure to leave a "tail".  If you are giving the sock mouse as a gift, you can make it look cuter by drawing eyes, a nose, and whiskers with a permanent marker.  Another way to dress up the toy is by sewing on felt eyes and a felt nose.  

To make the mouse even more enticing, try stuffing it with catnip.  If you want to dangle the toy for your cat to play with, make the tail extra long.