How to Make Homemade Kitty Toys

Among cat owners, one well-worn joke is that you spend $20 on a new cat toy, only to find your cat prefers to play with the plastic ring from a bottle of milk. Cats don't care how much you spend on their toys. Make homemade kitty toys to save money. Homemade kitty toys also make use of what you otherwise consider junk. Most cats adore a simple crumpled wad of paper to chase around the room. A few other homemade kitty toys require only a little more effort.

Things You'll Need

  • 12- to 16-inch small stick, chopstick or toy fishing rod
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Plush filling
  • Catnip
  • Old sock
  • Feathers
  • Empty cardboard box
  • Shipping tape
  • Box cutter
  • Scrap paper, newspaper, tissue paper or aluminum foil
  • Milk jug rings
  • Paper grocery bag
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Instructions

  1. The Rod

    • 1

      Cut a string between 2 and 3 feet long. Tie the string to one end of your stick, chopstick or toy fishing rod. Double-knot the string.

    • 2

      Sprinkle plush filling with catnip. Stuff the bottom one-third of a sock with the plush filling.

    • 3

      Tie the free end of the string to the open end of the sock, above the top of the plush filling.

    • 4

      Lie feathers across the string around the sock. Tie the string again to secure the feathers. Knot the string. Dangle the sock and feathers in front of the cat. The cat will try to catch the sock and feathers.

    Treasure Hunt Box

    • 5

      Tape the cardboard box shut with shipping tape. Leave no excess tape dangling off the side of the box; your cat may chew on excess tape.

    • 6

      Cut holes into the sides and top of the cardboard box with a box cutter. Cut anywhere between four and 10 holes of varying sizes. Make no hole big enough for your cat to stick its head through; it may get stuck.

    • 7

      Crumple up scrap paper, tissue paper, aluminum foil or newspaper. Sprinkle each ball with catnip.

    • 8

      Drop milk jug rings and paper or foil balls into the box. Present the box to the cat. The cat will stick its paws into the box to push the toys out.

    Hide and Seek

    • 9

      Cut five to 10 holes into a paper grocery bag. Include holes at the bottom and sides of the bag.

    • 10

      Sprinkle catnip inside and outside the bag.

    • 11

      Give the bag to your cat. When the cat enters the bag, touch the bag with the rod toy or a dull stick in different spots. Watch the cat stick its paws out of the holes to catch the rod or stick.