How to Make a Fleece Catnip Octopus

Cats are naturally drawn to hunting small prey, whether they live indoors or outside. Since many cats today are strictly indoor cats, owners need to build play hunting time into their cats̵7; daily routines. A toy with dangling limbs is appealing to a cat, particularly when it is filled with catnip. Catnip is an herb and a member of the mint family, and cats are naturally attracted to this perennial. The nepetalactone in catnip acts as a stimulant when sniffed and a sedative when consumed. While not all cats react to catnip, but all do enjoy playing, and so a homemade fleece catnip octopus readily facilitates playtime.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/4 yard fleece fabric
  • Fabric pen
  • Fabric scissors
  • Measuring spoon set
  • 4 tablespoons dried catnip
  • 6 inches mesh fabric
  • Rubber band
  • Sewing pins
  • Sewing machine or thread and needle
  • Fiberfill polyester stuffing
  • 12-inch elastic string (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw an octopus onto a piece of fleece fabric with a fabric pen. Make the head of the octopus 2 to 3 inches in diameter with eight legs, each measuring 6 inches long.

    • 2

      Cut out the octopus with a pair of fabric scissors. Lay it down on top of the remaining fleece fabric and trace its shape onto the fabric with a fabric pen. Cut out the second, identical octopus shape.

    • 3

      Measure 4 tablespoons of dried catnip and place it into the center of a 6-inch square of mesh fabric. Pull the fabric up around the catnip, creating a little ball. Twist the mesh fabric and secure it with a small rubber band so that the catnip does not come out of the mesh. Set aside.

    • 4

      Pin the two octopus shapes together with sewing pins so that their right sides face each other. Leave the top 2 inches of the octopus̵7; head open.

    • 5

      Use a straight stitch on a sewing machine or a thread and needle to stitch the two sides of the octopus together. Leave the top 2 inches at the top of the octopus̵7; head unstitched for now. Turn the octopus right-side out.

    • 6

      Push fiberfill polyester stuffing into the octopus̵7; legs and the bottom third of its head. Push the catnip mesh bag into the octopus̵7; head. Fill out the head with more fiberfill polyester stuffing.

    • 7

      Use a thread and needle to sew the opening at the top of the octopus̵7; head together. If desired, sew a 12-inch long piece of elastic string onto the top of the octopus̵7; head to create an easy way for you to dangle the octopus catnip fleece toy in front of your cat during playtime.