How to Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items

Cats need toys for exercise and recreation. The best types of cat toys should mimic skills that your cat would need to employ if it were living in the wild.[1] Not all cats like playing with toys, and some will only like one type of toy. It can be expensive finding out what your cat likes. Colorful, shiny cat toys from the pet shop aren’t necessary, and often aren’t very good from the cat’s point of view. Making your cat's toys at home can save you money and allow you to bond with your pet.

Method 1
Method 1 of 11:

Making a Cat Pendulum

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 1
    1
    Cut a piece of cardboard into a rectangular shape. As an alternative, you can simply use an empty cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 2
    2
    Fold the cardboard over and poke the end of the string through it. Thread the string so that you will be able to dangle the cardboard securely from the end. The toy should begin to look like a pendulum that you will swing in front of your cat.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 3
    3
    Draw the cardboard up the string a bit and fold over the bottom. This will keep the cardboard sitting on the string and hold the toy together while you move it around.
  4. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 4
    4
    Hold the end of the string and wave the cardboard near your cat. The goal is to make the toy agile and maneuverable so that when you move it, it will look as much as possible like a living thing. This allows your pet to feel like it is catching prey.[2]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 11:

Making a Jingle Ball

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 5
    1
    Find an empty pill bottle. If there is still a label on the medicine container, wash/peel it off.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 6
    2
    Open the pill bottle and place one or two small jingle bells inside. Alternatively, you can use beads, dehydrated beans, or uncooked popping corn, which will rattle instead of jingle. This type of toy is designed to replicate the scampering movement of small prey. The rattling or jingling contents will draw your cat's attention to the toy whenever you throw it, and your cat's predator instincts should make it want to chase the toy.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 7
    3
    Make sure the toy is sealed shut. If you think the cat may be able to open the bottle, despite the safety cap, tape it shut with duct tape.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 11:

Making a Cat Puppet

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 8
    1
    Find a small stuffed animal. It's best if the stuffed animal looks like something your cat would want to chase, like a mouse. Stuffed toys made with materials that feel similar to wool, fur, or fleece will be most attractive to your cat. You will also need glue and a straw.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 9
    2
    Cut a small hole in the bottom of the stuffed animal. Make the hole just big enough for the end of the straw to fit through.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 10
    3
    If stuffing is leaking out, remove enough of it so that your cat will not try to pull out or eat the stuffing. You want to make the toy as safe as possible for your cat to play with and reduce the risk of choking.
  4. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 11
    4
    Squirt a small dab of glue onto one end of the straw. Stick the straw inside the stuffed animal and secure it in place.
    • It is recommended that you not use tape for this step, as it is less secure and the tape or stuffing inside could become a choking hazard for your cat. For this reason it is also recommended that you remove the eyes, if they are plastic pieces fixed to the cloth. Your cat won't think it looks any less like a mouse without the beady eyes, and it won't try to chew or swallow them if they're removed from the beginning.[3]
  5. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 12
    5
    Hold the end of the straw and wave it around in front of your cat. Allow your cat to pounce on it, or nibble on it. However, do not leave your cat unattended with this toy, as your cat could hurt itself.
    6. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 11:

Building a Bonding Sock

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 13
    1
    Wear an old sock for a few hours. Wear it just long enough for your odor to rub off.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 14
    2
    Take a large pinch of catnip in your hand. Put the sock over your hand, with your fingers holding the catnip dangling down inside the bottom of the sock.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 15
    3
    Drop the catnip in the toe. Then twist the end of the sock. It doesn't have to be perfectly secure, just enough to allow you to re-wrap the sock with multiple layers.
  4. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 16
    4
    Grip the toe of the sock with the catnip inside and pull the sock off. You should now have a new "layer" to add to the toy.
  5. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 17
    5
    Repeat this, adding a bit more catnip for every layer. You won't need too much. Not all cats like catnip, but cats that do like catnip tend to be quite sensitive to it.
    • One theory on why catnip excites cats is that it acts on the hypothalamus, triggering a predatory reaction. Some research suggests certain molecules in catnip act as an opioid on cats, triggering the pleasure center in cats' brains. Not all cats are affected by catnip. Only about 30-70% of all cats will react to catnip.[4]
  6. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 18
    6
    Tie a knot in the end of the sock. You may want to make this knot somewhat loose, so that your cat will be able to access the catnip. "Working" for food allows cats to indulge in the natural predatory instincts that all cats are born with.[5]
  7. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 19
    7
    Give the toy to your cat. Some cats are immune to catnip, but those that aren't immune will find the toy irresistible.[6] Even if your cat does not like catnip, it will certainly enjoy playing with the toy.
    • Your cat will be able to smell you on the sock, and it may come to associate your smell with the excitement and joy of playing with catnip, making this a great toy for newly adopted cats.[7]
    8. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 11:

Making a Fishing Toy

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 20
    1
    Poke a hole through a ball and feed a string through. Make sure the string is tight.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 21
    2
    Attach the end of the string to a stick. Make sure you give yourself enough string length to fully utilize this toy.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 22
    3
    Wiggle the end of the string around the room. Like the jingle ball toy, this toy is designed to allow your cat to feel like a hunter. The string allows you to move the toy more fluidly, in order to reproduce the shaky, rapid movement of a mouse.[8]
  4. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 23
    4
    Fix the pole to a board for solo-play. This will allow your cat to play with the fishing toy even when you're not around.
    5. Advertisement
Method 6
Method 6 of 11:

Building a Feather Stick

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 24
    1
    Find a long stick. The longer the stick is, the better: you want to allow your cat to scratch and lunge at the toy without scratching your hand or arm.
    • Do not poke your cat with the stick. This could cause serious injury to your pet. For this reason, you may want to attach something soft and blunt to the end of the stick, like cotton balls or a cut-open ping pong ball.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 25
    2
    Attach a small cluster of feathers to the stick. These can either be attached directly to the end of the stick, or to the soft cotton or ping pong ball cap affixed to the stick. Cats tend to like feathered toys because they resemble birds, a natural prey animal for cats.[9]
    • Glue is the strongest adhesive, but if your cat chews off any excess glue it could cause serious illness. For this reason, you may want to tape the feather to the stick.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 26
    3
    Wiggle the toy around. You can pull the feather stick across the floor, dangle it in the air, or see what your cat will come up with on its own.
    4. Advertisement
Method 7
Method 7 of 11:

Playing with Moving Light

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 27
    1
    Darken the room. Turn off the lights and close the windows if it is light outside. Don't worry; cats have excellent night vision!
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 28
    2
    Grab a flashlight or laser pointer. It doesn't have to be anything fancy; any light source in a dark room should engage your cat.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 29
    3
    Turn on the flashlight and move it around the room. Cats have excellent night vision, and seeing a point of light in the dark will trigger your cat's predatory instincts.[10]
    • Be careful with where you point the light. Your cat may only be paying attention to the light, and not the environmental surroundings around the room.
    4. Advertisement
Method 8
Method 8 of 11:

Making a Chaser Toy

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 30
    1
    Find a pretty long flexible belt or thick string, about 3 feet (0.9 m) long or more. Also find an old stuffed animal. It is best to use a toy that you do not have any emotional attachment to, as your cat may shred and tear the toy apart.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 31
    2
    Tie the stuffed animal to the string or flexible belt. Thread through a hole or simply tie around the toy.
    • Ribbon can also be used.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 32
    3
    Play with the toy. This toy is similar to the puppet and fishing toys in terms of design, and you can use the string or ribbon to manipulate the toy in a way that mimics real-life animal movements. This kind of play is exciting and enriching for cats. There are a few options here:
    • Drag or wave in front of your cat (this works best with kittens). Let her figure out what it is, then play away.
    • You can use this toy to teach a kitten how to get up a ladder, which leads to a bed, shelf, or designated cat space. Having a space designated just for your cat to "escape" from the rest of the house can be just as beneficial as play.[11]
    • Walk around the house dragging the toy. This is useful if your cat wants to go outside but you want to keep her in. It's also good for making her tired.
    • Tie this toy to door handles for when you're away from home.
    4. Advertisement
Method 9
Method 9 of 11:

Building a Toy Rat

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 33
    1
    Get a sock, some yarn, catnip, scissors, and a sewing needle and thread. If you do not have yarn, you may use thread in its place.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 34
    2
    Cut the heel off the sock. Now the base of the sock should resemble a bag. This will be the rat's body.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 35
    3
    Fill the sock piece with catnip. This step is optional, as your cat will probably want to chase a rodent-shaped toy with or without the incentive of catnip.[12]
  4. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 36
    4
    Insert one end of the yarn or thread into the sock's hole. Sew it closed. You can decide how tightly you want to sew the body shut. Some cats may want to open the toy up to access the catnip more directly; other cats may be content playing with the toy as it is.
  5. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 37
    5
    Make the ears. Do this by cutting two circles out of the scraps from the heel of the sock.
  6. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 38
    6
    Sew the ears on near the front of the toy. The toy should begin to take shape at this point.
  7. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 39
    7
    Twist the leg part of the sock to form a tail. You can sew the "tail" in place, but if you're using catnip you'll want to refresh the filling from time to time. It may be easier to bind the tail shut with a stretchy fabric length or ribbon.
  8. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 40
    8
    Give the toy to your cat. As with other predator/prey cat toys, this should spark your cat's natural instinct to hunt.
    9. Advertisement
Method 10
Method 10 of 11:

Making a Yarn Bird

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 41
    1
    Gather materials. You'll need fluffy yarn, a sock, scissors, catnip, a needle and thread, and some feathers.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 42
    2
    Cut off the toe from the sock. You can discard the toe, as it will not be needed in constructing this toy.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 43
    3
    Fill the sock with catnip and sew it shut. Again, this step is optional, as your cat will want to play with anything that resembles its natural prey.[13]
  4. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 44
    4
    Wrap the sock with yarn. Tie the yarn to one end of the sock and wrap it completely, so you no longer see the sock. Tie down the other end of the yarn.
  5. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 45
    5
    Sew on some feathers. Choose a few places to add feathers. Slip them under a loop of yarn and use the needle and thread to sew them in place. This will also keep the yarn from unraveling.
  6. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 46
    6
    Wave it in front of your cat. Your cat will love this toy, as it combines feathers with a stuffed animal.[14]
    7. Advertisement
Method 11
Method 11 of 11:

Giving New Life to an Old Stuffed Toy

  1. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 47
    1
    Find an old, unwanted stuffed animal. Again, it's always best to use stuffed animals that you do not have any sentimental attachment to, as your cat will want to tear and shred the toy.
  2. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 48
    2
    Cut a little hole. If you know your cat likes catnip, insert a small amount into the stuffed animal. Sew the hole up neatly.
  3. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 49
    3
    Tie a string or ribbon around the toy if you want to drag it around for your cat. This step is optional. Your cat may prefer playing with the toy alone, or it may enjoy engaging with you while you maneuver the toy around the room. Again, it will take time and patience to learn what your cat likes best.
  4. Image titled Make Cat Toys out of Common Household Items Step 50
    4
    Give your cat the new toy. If you added a string, swing it back and forth in front of the cat, as this will make it clear that it is supposed to "hunt" the toy.[15]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Could my cat become sick if it happened to eat the toy?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Eating any non-food object has the potential to make at cat ill. Even if the toy is made from safe, non-toxic materials, there is the possibility if it's chewed and swallowed that it could cause a serious intestinal blockage. For this reason it's best to supervise play and remove toys when they get damaged.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Never give grapes or chocolate to your cat.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Some cats don't like toys, or prefer to play with them without people. Only try to play with your cat if he or she responds well to your efforts.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Your cat could choke on his or her toys. It is important to be very careful and supervise play at all times. Even string, yarn, and ribbon can be choking hazards, and it is recommended that all of these homemade toys be used only under your guidance.[16]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

Excitement Wire

  • Small Piece of Cardboard
  • Fairly Thick Wire, about three feet long

Jingle Ball

  • Empty medicine container with a child-safe cap (smaller is better)
  • Jingle bell(s) -- you can buy them at a craft store, or beans/beads
  • Heavy-duty tape (optional)

Cat Puppet

  • Small stuffed animal
  • Scissors
  • Glue and/or tape
  • Un-sharpened pencil

Bonding Sock

  • Old, thin sock
  • Catnip

Fishing Cats

  • Stick
  • Ball (ping pong ball or stress ball may work)
  • String
  • A wooden board for the stand (optional)

You Might Also Like

Make a Cat Tree
How to
Make a Cat Tree
Make a Cat Scratching Post
How to
Make a Cat Scratching Post
Make Cat Jungle Gyms and Playgrounds
How to
Make Cat Jungle Gyms and Playgrounds
How to
Make a Catnip Toy
Get an Exercise Wheel for Your Cat
How to
Get an Exercise Wheel for Your Cat
Make a Crinkle Play Bag for Your Cat
How to
Make a Crinkle Play Bag for Your Cat
Make Catnip Filled Sock Toys
How to
Make Catnip Filled Sock Toys
Make a Homemade Puzzle Feeder for a Cat
How to
Make a Homemade Puzzle Feeder for a Cat
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/best-products-indoor-cat/story?id=14306005
  2. ↑ https://indoorpet.osu.edu//cats/basicneeds/toys
  3. ↑ http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/dangers-of-cat-toys/
  4. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/cats/behavior-training/normal-behavior/catnipand-how-it-affects-your-cats-behavior
  5. ↑ http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/what-is-environmental-enrichment-and-why-does-your-cat-need-it/
  6. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/catnip.html
  7. ↑ http://pets.thenest.com/cats-remember-owners-after-years-5476.html
  8. ↑ http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/interactive-play-therapy/
  9. ↑ http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/cats-can-have-toy-preferences/
  1. ↑ http://www.livescience.com/40459-what-do-cats-see.html
  2. ↑ http://www.maddiesfund.org/how-to-reduce-stress-in-shelter-cats.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/cats/keeping-your-cat-healthy/exercise-play/selecting-the-right-toys-for-your-cats-play-preference
  4. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/cats/keeping-your-cat-healthy/exercise-play/selecting-the-right-toys-for-your-cats-play-preference
  5. ↑ http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/cats-can-have-toy-preferences/
  6. ↑ https://indoorpet.osu.edu//cats/uniquefeline/eatinghabits
  7. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/common_household_dangers_pets.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

About This Article

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Co-authored by:
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 211,467 times.
22 votes - 85%
Co-authors: 66
Updated: March 23, 2023
Views: 211,467
Categories: Cat Toys
Article SummaryX

There are endless ways to make cat toys out of common household items. To make a jingle ball, for instance, find an empty pill bottle, remove the label, and wash the container thoroughly. When you’re finished, place 1 or 2 small bells, beans, or beads into the bottle and seal it shut. If you think the cat might be able to get the bottle open, tape it shut with duct tape. When you’re ready to play with your cat, roll the bottle across the floor. The sound will replicate a small prey item, which should encourage the cat to chase the bottle. Keep reading for tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to make other crafts, like a cat puppet or a fishing toy!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement