We’re sure your cat loves some of the random things laying around the house. In that case, why spend a ton of money on cat toys? Here are 15 easy breezy cat inchestoys inches that you probably already have at home.
Cat toys made with household recyclables.
- Easiest cat toy ever. Wad up a ball of aluminum foil. It’s lightweight and skitters across a room with the gentlest touch of a paw.
- Wine corks, feathers and jute glued into a cork with a hole in it will keep your kitty entertained for hours. How-to here.
- An empty paper bag or cardboard box is preferred by cats of all sizes and ages. Cut holes for them to poke their paws through and let them at it!
- Toilet paper tubes with straw poked through them will demonstrate your feline’s more interesting antics which are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.
- With little more than an old t-shirt, a couple of wire coat hangers and a piece of sturdy cardboard, you can make a cat tent that rivals the expensive ones sold in pet supply stores.
- Another way to use toilet paper tubes is to cut the tube into four rings, inserting one inside the next until you have formed a ball. Stuff treats inside and watch Fluffy go to work trying to get them out.
- Pull yarn through an empty thread spool and tie knots so that the yarn doesn’t come out. Leave the yarn long enough to make ribbons.
- Cut the top and bottom off of an empty soda bottle and then cut the rest into a spiral. Cats find this irresistible!
- Cut the bottoms off of three (or more) paper bags and link one inside the other to form a tube. Toss some catnip or kibble into the tube to entice the kitty in.
Crafty cat toys
- Make a wand from a dowel, some string or yarn, and a homemade pom-pom. Your cat that prefers to pounce instead of chase will love you for it!
- Instead of pom-poms, attach ribbons and jingle bells to the dowel for a more lively attraction. Cats seem to love the tinkly sound of the bells.
- Use a clear plastic food storage container to make a cat puzzle toy. Cut holes in the top big enough for Fluffy’s paws to go through and put ping-pong balls (or other small toys) inside the container. Secure the top and shake it where Fluffy can see the balls inside.
Other things cats love to play with
- Give second life to a plastic easter egg by enclosing a couple of beans inside. Cats love things that rattle and are light enough to bat around.
- Drip tubing makes a great tease toy! Cut a piece 18 inches to 25 inches long and wave it near Kitty’s nose. Its movement will entice her to swat at it.
- Laser pointers are among the most beloved of all cat toys (dogs love them, too). Point it at a wall and move it around. Just be careful not to aim it into your cat’s eyes.
