How to Build Toys for Cats

The cliche of the finicky cat doesn't hold true when it comes to the sorts of objects that felines enjoy playing with. More often than not, a cat can entertain itself for hours with a crumpled piece of paper or a piece of string. If you're a cat lover who'd like to go the extra mile for your beloved pet, making your own cat toys is a quick and inexpensive way to keep them active and happy.

Things You'll Need

  • Toy fishing pole
  • String
  • Stuffed toy mouse
  • Small, empty cylinder-shaped canister
  • Dry rice or dried legumes
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Instructions

  1. Toy Fishing Pole With "Mouse" Bait

    • 1

      Purchase a plastic, fishing pole toy with a working reel and string. The toy pole doesn't have to be a strong, elaborate piece of equipment, but should have enough strength to handle being tugged on by a cat.

    • 2

      Tie a small cat toy, such as a stuffed mouse, to the end of your fishing pole string. Wrap the string around a few times, and securely fasten the stuffed toy to the fishing pole string with a few strong knots.

    • 3

      Cast the cat toy forward, as you would bait on a fishing line, and slowly reel the cat toy in.

      The more realistic the movement, the more excited your cat will get. Try not only slowly reeling the toy in, but moving the pole from side to side to make the toy suddenly move off path. Also, by alternating the reeling in of the toy with sudden stops, your cat will become curious as to what's going on with the moving object.

    Cylinder Cat Toy

    • 4

      Open one end of a small, empty, cylindrical container. The canister you use should have a tight fitting, screw-top lid.

      Good examples of small, cylindrical containers for cat toys are empty, film roll canisters; empty, plastic, spice containers; and empty, prescription or over-the-counter medication containers.

    • 5

      Fill the empty canister, partially, with dry rice or dried legumes. Screw the lid back down on the container tightly.

    • 6

      Shake the canister to make a rattle sound to get your cat's attention. When your cat has entered the room, roll the canister across the floor. Your cat can swat at the canister, rolling it across the floor and producing noise as it moves.