How to Make Cat Toys From Catmint

Catmint or catnip is an aromatic herb originally cultivated during the fifteenth century for use in herbal remedies. It wasn't until much later, as cats rose in popularity as house pets, that the remarkable affect of the herb on felines was observed. Catnip contains the chemical neptalactone, which mimics cat pheromones and causes a number of reactions (meowing, rolling in the catmint, eating it, rubbing against any place catmint has been sprinkled, running around in circles and lying sleepily in a daze). Given the range of reactions, it's not surprising to find an abundance of catmint toys in the pet department. Many cats who love their catmint toys will go through them rather quickly. Being able to make them at home, rather than buying them at the store, can significantly reduce costs for pet owners.

Things You'll Need

  • Dried catmint or catnip Old towel Scissors Ruler Needle and thread Small squares of canvas or denim Cotton balls Small plush baby toys Old sock Bubble solution Fine mesh strainer Coffee filter Jar
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay an old towel on a flat surface. Cut out a piece of towel 10 inches long. Sprinkle 2 tsp. of dried catmint down the center of the towel. Roll the towel up tightly, jelly roll style. Secure the ends with a needle and thread. Sew through the center of the towel to keep it tightly rolled. Knot and cut the threads.

    • 2

      Use two small squares of durable fabric to make a catmint bag. Sew up three sides; stuff the bag with catmint and cotton balls. Sew the fourth side closed. You can cut the fabric into shapes, such as a heart or a circle.

    • 3

      Make a small incision in the seam of a plush baby toy. Remove part of the stuffing and replace it with catmint. Baby toys are preferable to other plush toys because they are small, soft and are designed without potential choking hazards, such as beads or buttons, which might be knocked loose during play and accidentally swallowed by the cat.

    • 4

      Fill the toe of an old sock with catmint. Cut off the remainder of the sock and stitch the end closed or tie it tightly into a knot.

    • 5

      Make catmint bubbles. Add 1 tbsp. of dried catmint to a soap bubble solution. Allow the mixture to sit for 24 to 48 hours. Line a mesh strainer with a coffee filter and put it over the mouth of a quart-sized jar. Pour the bubbles through the strainer to remove the catmint pieces. Blow bubbles and watch your cats go nuts chasing them.