How to Make Toys for a Cat

Cats and kittens love to play. But be aware that to a cat everything is fair game. If you leave it out, he thinks it must be something for him to play with and your wiggly fingers look like great toys, too. It's easy to make inexpensive simple toys for your cat, just take a look around your house and use your imagination.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Paper sack
• Wooden pole or stick
• String that is not fishing line
• Small toy or furry material to tie on string
• Child's sock
• Baby toys
• Pill bottle or film canister with secure lid
• Small rock or bead
• Ping pong ball
• Pen light

1. Leave a paper grocery sack on the floor and your cat will crawl inside and hide, waiting for unsuspecting "prey" to come wandering by. This prey is often your bare foot, so be careful or you may get scratched.
2. Tie a piece of string to a long wooden pole or stick, slowly pull it in front of your cat, give it a few shakes and you have a great toy for your cat.
3. Roll a child's old sock into a ball. Your cat will spend hours batting it around. Cats also love small stuffed, furry baby toys, especially those with a bell or noisemaker inside.
4. Make your cat his own "rattle" by putting a small rock or bead in an old pill bottle or film canister. Fasten the lid securely so he won't swallow the noisemaker.
5. Give your cat a ball. Just about any kind of ball will do, but the lighter the better. Old ping pong balls are great, or just wad up a piece of paper into a ball. A cardboard toilet paper roll is a great toy to roll around too.
6. Dim the lights and shine a laser pen light across the floor. Your cat will chase the light everywhere you point it. Pause and let him pounce on it, then continue the chase.

Tips & Warnings

• Put your cat's toys away when play time is over. He will get bored with the toy if you just leave it lying around all the time.
• Notice what toy is your cat's favorite. Cats often choose a small stuffed animal that becomes as precious to them as Linus' security blanket.
• Never use ribbon, plastic bags, fishing line or painted toys as these items can be very dangerous for your pet.