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The 5 Homemade Cat Toys<\/h2>\n1. Catnip Kicker<\/h3>\n
![\"Catnip](\"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Catnip-Kicker_Catster.jpg\")
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The only item you\u2019ll need to buy for this toy is some catnip, which is something that\u2019s worth having around if your cat is one of the 60% of felines that find this little plant intoxicating. Even those who aren\u2019t affected by catnip will still find this toy fun to play with.<\/p>\n
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- <\/i> Sock, tights, or pantyhose<\/li>\n
- <\/i> \u00bd cup of uncooked rice<\/li>\n
- <\/i> \u00bd cup of dry catnip<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Soda bottle<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Scissors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Start by grabbing some thin socks or thick tights\/pantyhose. If you don\u2019t have any thick tights, you can use both feet to create a double layer. If you are using tights\/pantyhose, make sure there are no ladders\/holes in the ends, and cut them approximately 1 foot above the toes.<\/p>\n
Cut the soda bottle in half and dry it thoroughly\u2014this will be our funnel. Mix the rice and catnip together, and use the funnel to pour this into the sock. The rice gives the toy a bit more substance, reduces the amount of catnip needed, and helps absorb any moisture.<\/p>\n
Tie off the end of the sock just above the level of the catnip\/rice, creating a firm (but not rock-hard) end. Trim the free end of the sock around 3 inches above the knot and let the fun begin!<\/p>\n
\n2. Egg Carton Food Puzzle<\/h3>\n
![\"Egg](\"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Egg-Carton-Food-Puzzle_Catster.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBoredom can be a huge problem for an animal with killer instincts and nowhere to let it out. Quality food served twice a day might meet your cat\u2019s nutritional needs, but it doesn\u2019t provide much in the way of mental stimulation. Food puzzles have become increasingly popular for indoor cats, providing a challenging way to offer treats or meals, but they can be quite pricey.<\/p>\n
If you buy eggs in a cardboard carton, then you\u2019ve already got the tools to put together some feline food puzzles that are easy to make but tricky to solve!<\/p>\n
Materials:<\/div>\n- \n
- <\/i> Egg carton<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Scissors<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Cat kibble or treats<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Scotch tape<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Use the scissors to make holes in the bottom of each egg section and use a finger to widen the hole to around \u00bd inch diameter. The size of the hole will depend on the size of the treats you\u2019re using; you don\u2019t want it to be too easy, but you don\u2019t want it to be impossible!<\/p>\n
Place the treats inside the carton and use the tape to seal it shut. Most cats will start to work this out, but you may need to give them a little hint to begin with!<\/p>\n
\n3. Toilet Roll Food Puzzle<\/h3>\n
![\"Toilet](\"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Toilet-Roll-Food-Puzzle_Catster.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThis one couldn\u2019t be easier! All you really need is some scissors, tape, and an empty toilet paper roll and you\u2019re well on your way to giving your kitten a new and exciting toy.<\/p>\n
Materials:<\/div>\n- \n
- <\/i> Empty toilet roll<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Scissors<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Cat kibble or treats<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Scotch tape<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Tape one end of the roll closed. Make a hole about the size of your treats in the middle of the roll with your scissors, and then place the treats inside. Tape up the other end of the roll, and voila!<\/p>\n
\n4. Unravelable Ball of Yarn<\/h3>\n
![\"Unravelable](\"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Unravelable-Ball-of-Yarn_Catster.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt\u2019s a classic for a reason: no cat can resist that enticing ball of yarn, with its trailing thread. But the problem with this particular toy is that it gets messy pretty quickly, and if your cat ends up swallowing a length of string or wool, it can get stuck in the intestines, causing them to bunch up and become blocked.<\/p>\n
This nifty little option mimics the allure of the yarn ball<\/a>, but with the help of some glue, you\u2019ve got a more resilient version of this classic.<\/p>\n
Materials:<\/div>\n- \n
- <\/i> Styrofoam ball (3\u20134 inches) or florist ball<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Thick string, wool, or twine<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Craft glue (high-tack all-purpose glue)<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Large sewing needle (e.g., tapestry or wool needle, or a crochet hook)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Thread the twine onto the needle and carefully insert the needle through the middle of the Styrofoam ball. Remove the needle and tie a knot at the end of the twine. Place a blob of glue at the point where the thread enters and exits the ball and pull the knot firmly against the surface. This next bit can get a bit messy.<\/p>\n
Slowly wrap the ball with your twine, placing blobs of glue along the way, adding more periodically as you get more coverage. Once you\u2019ve covered the ball, cut the end of the twine with about 18 inches left over. Tie another knot close to the ball. Thread the twine through the needle again and take it back through the center of the ball. Tie a knot as close to the surface as possible, then make a few knots along the tail left over and allow to dry for 24 hours.<\/p>\n
Now you\u2019ve got a great way to keep your kitten occupied without leaving miles of yarn all over the house!<\/p>\n
\n5. Catnip Fishing Rod<\/h3>\n
![\"Catnip](\"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Catnip-Fishing-Rod_Catster.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAnother classic cat toy is the dangling wand or teaser toy<\/a>. I\u2019m using a 10-millimeter x 12-inch wooden knitting needle, which is perfect as it has a stopper at the end. Alternatively, you could use a chopstick. If you don\u2019t already have any chopsticks at home, here\u2019s your excuse to indulge in some Chinese takeout!<\/p>\n
Materials:<\/div>\n- \n
- <\/i> 1 chopstick or thick knitting needle (around \u2153 inch is ideal)<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Ball of twine or yarn<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Craft glue<\/li>\n
- <\/i> \u00bd ounce (15 grams) of dry catnip<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Tights or thin sock<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Rod<\/strong><\/p>\n
Start by tying a double knot around the stick at around the halfway point, then apply a blob of glue around the knot. Apply a 1-inch bead of glue above the knot and start to wrap the twine tightly around the stick over the glue, making sure to keep lots of tension on the string.<\/p>\n
Go up and back two to three times over the same section, then apply more glue in 1-inch increments up the stick, wrapping the twine tightly over it. Loop the end of the twine around the stick and place a double knot to tie it in place, applying a blob of glue into the knot as you pull it tight. Leave to dry for 24 hours.<\/p>\n
The Fish<\/strong><\/p>\n
Using the same method as with the catnip kicker, fill the end of your sock\/tights with the catnip and tie off the end, leaving a 1-inch tail. Allowing approximately 2 feet of twine between your wand and the catnip \u201cfish,\u201d use a double knot to secure the twine around the fish tail. Alternatively, you can use a wool needle to thread the twine through the fish to make a more secure tie. Now you\u2019re ready to go fishing\u2014for kittens!<\/p>\n
\r\nLots of cats go bananas for catnip. If your cat is one of them, we recommend Hepper's durable, engaging Catnip Stick Toy<\/a>! These sturdy toys come in several fun colors and feature bite-proof double bagging and 100% organic catnip fill. They're also handmade in the USA and designed to look like your cat's natural prey.<\/p>\r\n
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\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n Hepper Stick Catnip Cat Kicker Toy <\/a>\n\n- No Filler - Like all the best cat toys our is stuffed with 100% organic catnip. Cheap cat toys with...<\/li>
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- <\/i> Ball of twine or yarn<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Thick string, wool, or twine<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Scissors<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Scissors<\/li>\n
- <\/i> \u00bd cup of uncooked rice<\/li>\n
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