How to Make Cat Toys with Pipe Cleaners

Cats love to play hunting and stalking games. You can buy expensive cat toys at your local pet store, or you can save time and money by making your own. Cat toys can be made quickly and easily from common pipe cleaners. These toys will not only be colorful but durable. Your kitty will enjoy tossing and chasing these lightweight "caterpillars" around.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Extra long pipe cleaners of contrasting color
• Pencil

1. Twist the ends of two different colored pipe cleaners together.
2. Fold the top 1 inch of the twisted end back 180 degrees.
3. Hold the folded tip with your thumb, pressing it against the body of a pencil.
4. Twist the pipe cleaners around the body of the pencil, forming a coil.
5. Finish the coil by twisting the bottom inch and folding 18 degrees.
6. Tuck the bottom fold into the coil, thereby concealing the sharp edge.
7. Give to kitty.

Tips & Warnings

• Extra fuzzy pipe cleaners tend to be more attractive to cats.
• If kitty isn't interested in the caterpillar at first, rub it with a little cat nip or tuna juice.
• Play with your cat. Engaging them in 15 minutes of activity each day will strengthen your bond and help keep your cat healthy.
• Before giving the toy to your cat, ensure that the sharp ends are completely tucked inside the coil.
• Throw the "caterpillar" away when the pipe cleaner fuzz begins to wear away. The bare wire can be harmful to kitty if they are allowed to bite on it.