Table of Contents
If you’re on a tight budget but still want to provide your feline friend with endless hours of entertainment, look no further than your own home.
Repurposing common household items can be a great way to create DIY cat toys that won’t break the bank.
Cats have a remarkable ability to turn simple items like cardboard boxes, paper bags, and balls of yarn into hours of fun.
As cat owners, we’re always looking for new and creative ways to keep our furry friends entertained.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 20 DIY cat toys that will not only give your cat a great time but also allow you to repurpose items that you may have otherwise thrown away. With these Homemade Cat Toys, your kitty will be amazed and curious about what other fun creations you can come up with.
Why not treat your adorable feline companion to a delightful playtime with these incredible do-it-yourself cat toys? Let’s take inspiration from Beaconpet and create some memorable moments for your furry friend.
Homemade cat toys: Feather Fascinator
To create a fun and feathery toy for your feline friend, you will need the following materials:
- Loose craft feathers
- Mesh braids
- String and needle
- Elastic
- Small plastic ring
Begin by sewing the mesh braids together into a tight bunch. Then, attach feathers to the ends of each braid using a needle and string.
After you’ve finished attaching the feathers, bind all of the mesh tubes together using elastic. Leave a long piece of elastic at the end of the toy to allow it to hang from a high surface.
Finally, tie a small plastic ring to the end of the elastic piece. Your cat will be fully fascinated by this feathery toy from “Dream a Little Bigger” until their attention inevitably wanders (because, well, they’re cats).
DIY Toys using Toilet Paper Rolls
Looking for a fun and easy way to entertain your kitty? Look no further than your bathroom! A simple toilet paper roll can provide hours of entertainment for your furry friend, as demonstrated by Papaya Wonton.
Want to take it up a notch? Get crafty and stuff some treats inside the roll before folding the sides, as suggested by Staying Close to Home. Your cat will be even more excited to play with their new toy!
Give it a try and watch your cat have a blast with this simple and affordable DIY cat toy.
Tree stump scratch pad
If you want to create a scratching post that would impress even Paul Bunyan himself, look no further. You can easily make one at home by following these simple steps:
- Take a rolled cardboard measuring three and a half inches thick and secure it into a circle-like stump using clear tape.
- To give it a natural look, you can glue cork on the outside to resemble bark. Alternatively, you can use real bark, wood glue, and tie around rope, just like Sussie and Kich did.
- The end product is a rustic-looking stump that your feline friend will love to scratch, especially if you add some catnip.
Try this fun and easy DIY project today and bring the outdoors in for your kitty!
Creating a Kitty Pinball Machine Toy
Crafting a toy for your cat can be easy and enjoyable. All you need are two things that cats love: toilet paper rolls and boxes. However, this is not an ordinary toy. Adding pipe-cleaners, a cardboard egg carton, and a few balls can make it look like a kitty pinball machine.
Meet Arnica Jolene, the pinball wizard with whiskers. Her parents came up with the idea, and now she enjoys playing with her new toy.
Cat scratch door hanger
If you’re looking for a fun and easy DIY project for your feline friend, consider making this cat scratch door hanger from Pets Plus Us. Not only is it simple to make, but it’s also the purr-fect toy for your cat.
To make this scratching post, all you need is a wooden board, some sisal rope (which most cats can’t resist), your favorite color string, and pom poms. Simply hot glue the sisal rope around the board, add your decorative touches with the string and pom poms, and hang it on a door knob.
Your cat will love this new source of entertainment and scratching satisfaction for days to come!
Cardboard catscraper
The Shelterness “Catscraper” is a towering structure designed specifically for cats. It is made of stacked cardboard, which is perfect for your furry friend to scratch and sharpen their claws on.
To ensure the catscraper stays upright, it is essential to construct a sturdy base. The base should include a sturdy dowel positioned in the center. Once the base is ready, stack carefully cut cardboard pieces on top of each other until you achieve the desired skyscraper shape.
Remember, the taller, the better! Your cat will love this towering structure, and you will love how easy it is to make.
Wiggle wand toy
If you’re looking for a fun and easy project to entertain your feline friend, Pudge, the Insta-famous cat, has a great suggestion. With just a few materials, you can create a simple, yet exciting, homemade cat toy.
To make this toy, you’ll need leather, cord thread, a wire cutter, pliers, a dowel, superglue, a bell, and felt (for the faux feathers). Don’t worry if your furry companion falls asleep during the crafting process, it doesn’t reflect how much they’ll enjoy playing with it.
Simply follow the steps outlined in the how-to video and watch your cat have a paw-some time!
Discover a collection of free crochet cat toy patterns right away by visiting the news section of BeaconPet.
Cat puzzle toy
To make a fun and stimulating puzzle toy for your feline friend, start with a disposable food container and a utility knife. Cut several holes in the top of the container to provide access to the treats and toys inside. For added safety and comfort, consider burning the edges of the holes with a lighter.
Next, fill the container with your cat’s favorite items such as catnip toys, balls, and treats. Be sure to close the container securely to prevent spills and to challenge your cat’s problem-solving skills.
Watch as your kitty spends hours trying to figure out how to get to the goodies inside. This simple DIY project is not only entertaining but also provides mental and physical stimulation for your beloved pet.
DIY cat tent
Looking to create a cozy bed for your furry friend? Follow these simple steps to make a cute and comfortable kitty tent bed, inspired by Jenna How.
Materials Needed:
- Medium-sized T-shirt
- Piece of cardboard
- Two wire hangers
- Tape
- Safety pins
- Cozy blanket
Instructions:
- Start by digging through your closet for a medium-sized T-shirt.
- Take a piece of cardboard and bend it into a semi-circle shape.
- Take two wire hangers and straighten them out.
- Bend each hanger into an arch shape and attach them to the cardboard using tape.
- Place the cardboard frame onto a flat surface.
- Drape the T-shirt over the frame, making sure the bottom of the shirt hangs down evenly on all sides.
- Use safety pins to secure the shirt to the frame, making sure it is taut and wrinkle-free.
- Place a cozy blanket inside the tent to make it extra comfortable for your kitty.
- Your kitty tent bed is now ready for your furry friend to snuggle up and get some shut-eye!
Cardboard hide-and-seek toy
Making homemade cat toys couldn’t be easier – all you need are a cardboard box and a pair of scissors! Mochi and Levi, two adorable cats on Instagram, prove that this DIY cardboard hide-and-seek toy is not only affordable but also highly entertaining for your furry friend.
Not only does this homemade cat toy save you money, but it also provides hours of fun for your beloved pet. Get creative and customize the cardboard toy to your cat’s liking, and watch as they pounce and play for hours on end.
Give your cat the gift of fun with this simple and engaging homemade cat toy!
Simple sisal rope cat scratcher
If you want to keep your cat entertained while also preventing them from scratching your furniture, Kate Riley from Centsational Style has the perfect solution for you. She suggests making a simple sisal rope cat scratcher that is not only easy to make, but also aesthetically pleasing. By providing your cat with this scratcher, you can keep your armchairs and other furniture intact while also keeping your feline friend entertained.
Junk food cat toys
If you want to spoil your Garfield and give him all the junk food he dreams about, follow these simple steps:
- Cut some colored felt into donut, burger, and hot dog shapes.
- Stuff the felt shapes with catnip.
- Sew the felt shapes using colored embroidery thread.
For more detailed instructions and tips on making these felt junk food cat toys, check out the full guide at A Beautiful Mess. Your cat will surely love these fun and adorable toys!
Homemade cat toys: DIY fork pom poms
If you’re a knitter with a kitty who constantly interrupts your knitting, these DIY pom poms from Ventuno Art are perfect for you!
To make them, simply wrap yarn around a fork (like spaghetti) approximately 60 times. Then, tie some yarn down the middle and carefully slip it off. Finally, trim the edges on both sides.
Voila! You now have a fun pom pom ready for a game of catch with your furry friend.
Cat dancer toy
If you have a cat, you might want to make a flying feather and pom pom cat toy from Joy the Baker. However, you might not be able to do it when your kitty is around due to the enticing smell of catnip.
To create this delightful toy, start by cutting colorful felt into fun shapes. Stuff each shape with catnip and sew both sides of the shapes together. Then, attach pieces of string to a rod and tie the shapes you made to the end of each string.
To make the toy even more enjoyable, add pom-poms and feathers to each catnip shape using hot glue.
Your cat will love playing with its new toy, and you will love watching it!
Cattail catnip toy
Sew4Home offers a downloadable pattern for a one-seam catnip toy that is easy to make. All that is required is home decor weight fabric, matching all-purpose thread, yarn, catnip, and a chopstick to achieve the right shape. Additionally, a funnel is recommended to help with filling the toy with catnip.
Follow the instructions provided with the pattern to create this fun and simple toy for your furry friend. Not only will your cat enjoy playing with it, but you’ll also enjoy the satisfaction of making something by hand. Happy sewing!
Explore the best cat toys for indoor cats by checking out the blog section of BeaconPet.
Cat fishing pole
As a cat owner, homemade cat toys can be a fun and cost-effective way to keep your furry friend entertained. If you’re looking for a new toy to add to your collection, Lia Griffith’s Fish Wand Cat Toy is a must-have.
This wand-like fishing pole toy features an adorable fish that is sure to catch your feline’s attention. While creating the fish might seem challenging, the end result is well worth the effort of gluing on the gills.
To assemble the toy, attach the fish to the dowel using cotton clothesline. For an aquatic touch, it’s recommended to paint the dowel blue. Your cat will love watching and playing with this fun and creative homemade toy.
T-shirt cat toys
As per Muslin and Merlot, making your own homemade cat toys is as effortless as tying your shoelaces. All you have to do is cut old t-shirts into bright 3×10 inch rectangles and knot them up. It’s that simple!
Homemade cat toys: No-sew pom poms
We understand your inclination towards simplicity. That’s why we recommend these pom pom toys by Sensibly Sara that require no sewing. All you need are scraps of fleece that are at least 2 inches wide, inexpensive cotton string, and a pair of scissors. You may include catnip to attract your feline friend.
Wine cork cat toy
It is not advisable to drink and craft at the same time. However, using wine corks to make cat toys is definitely a great idea. You can follow the instructions provided by The Link Site to make your own cat toys.
To start, use a nail to make a hole in the cork. Then, use a pair of pliers to pull the nail out of the cork. Next, take a darning needle and pull a piece of yarn through the hole in the cork. Tie tassels at the end of the yarn, making sure that the yarn is at least 30 centimeters long. This will give your cat enough dangling distance to play with the toy without scratching you.
Happy crafting and happy playing with your feline friend!
