How to Make Cat Toys

Co-authored by Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital

Last Updated: January 14, 2024 Approved

Cats enjoy shiny, crinkly, and scratchy toys that will provide them with hours of stimulated playtime. Unfortunately, keeping your cat’s toy chest filled can be expensive. Lucky for you, with some simple household and store-bought items, you can easily create a wide variety of toys for your favorite feline. Gather some cardboard toilet paper rolls, felt, ribbon, and scissors to get started creating these personalized cat toys.

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Creating Small Toys for Your Cat

1
Make a gyroscope-looking ball out of a toilet paper roll for your cat to swat. Measure and mark four ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) sections onto a cardboard toilet paper roll. Cut out the 4 rings and discard the leftover toilet paper roll. Take 2 of the rings and insert one into the other so that they roughly form a sphere-shape. Insert the third ring so it rests within the empty space between the first 2 rings—defining the sphere-shape further. Repeat this process for the last ring, and then secure the top and bottom cross-sections with some hot glue.^{[1]
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- Give the gyroscope ball as is to your cat to play with, or elevate the experience by putting a small treat inside of it.
- Wrap the rings with yarn before assembling to create a tacky surface for your cat to grip onto.
2
Use colored yarn and a fork to create mini pom-poms for your cat to play with. Wrap a long piece of yarn around the head of a fork about 30-35 times. Wrap a separate piece of yarn that is at least 6 in (15 cm) long around the center of the yarn loops. Slide the bundle off the fork, and use a double knot to tie the center string tightly around the bundle. Hold the middle of the bundle where it is cinched, and use scissors to cut all of the loops around it. Fluff the pom-pom and let your cat enjoy playing with it.^{[2]
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- Allow your cat to play with the pom-pom alone, or tie a piece of yarn that is about 12 in (30 cm) to it, and dangle it in front of your cat for a joint activity.
- Make additional pom-poms so your cat can play with them all at once.
3
Tie strips of felt to a 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) key ring to make a knotty spider. Cut a 5 by 5 in (13 by 13 cm) piece of felt into 12-14 strips of similar width. Use a double knot to tie 1 strip to a metal key ring. Repeat this process with the remaining felt strips until the entire circumference of the ring is covered. Then, have fun watching your cat to play with the knotty spider!^{[3]
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- If you do not have a metal key ring, you can also use the circular plastic ring found along the top of most sealable plastic bottles, like a milk container.
- Have fun using different pieces of colored felt to make the thin strips. Consider using red and green strips for a holiday-themed knotty spider, or a combination of your favorite colors.
4
Turn a toilet paper roll into a sunshine wheel for your cat to roll around. Use a pair of scissors to cut vertical tabs around each end of a cardboard toilet paper roll. Make the tabs ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) wide and about 1 in (2.5 cm) long. Then, fold back each of the tabs so they fan out like sun rays around each end of the toilet paper roll.^{[4]
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- Before cutting the toilet paper roll, use a glue stick to adhere a piece of colored or decorative paper to the outside of the roll. This will make the toy more aesthetically pleasing.
5
Tape a bundle of thin ribbons to a wooden dowel for a fun shaker. Gather 20-30 pieces of ribbon that are at least 6 in (15 cm) long and ¹⁄₈–¹⁄₄ in (0.32–0.64 cm) wide. Lay a 10 in (25 cm) piece of decorative tape on a flat surface, glue-side up, and stick the end of each ribbon across the long edge of the tape. Then, take 1 end of the tape and wrap it around the 1 end of a wooden dowel. Continue this process until all of the tape is wrapped around the end of the dowel so that the ribbon is gathered and hanging off the dowel. Have fun dangling it in front of your cat!^{[5]
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- If you do not have ribbon, cut pieces of paper or fabric from an old T-shirt into thin strips.
- Hot glue a small bell to the tip of the finished shaker to make it more stimulating for your cat to play with.
- If you do not have a wooden dowel, use an unsharpened wooden pencil instead.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

Making Toys Filled with Catnip

1
Stuff a toilet paper roll with catnip to create a simple catnip holder. Take a cardboard toilet paper roll, and pinch the ends inward so they almost form a crescent-shape. Secure 1 of the folded ends with hot glue to seal the end closed, and allow the glue to dry for 1-2 minutes. Then, fill the toilet paper roll with 1-2 tsp (1-2 g) of dry catnip before closing and gluing the second end closed. Once the glue dries, you will have a simple catnip toy for your cat to play with.^{[6]
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- Personalize the exterior of the toilet paper roll by wrapping it in colorful felt so your cat’s claws can cling to it, or use markers to draw a smiley face or design onto the cardboard.
- To hold your cat’s attention longer, slip a small bell inside the toilet paper roll along with the catnip.
- You can also buy catnip spray to spritz onto the toy to make it more enticing for your cat.^{[7]
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  Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital. Veterinarians.}
2
Fill a sock with tissue paper and catnip to make a long, crinkly toy. Crumple 5-6 pieces of tissue paper into loosely formed balls; use more or less tissue paper depending on the size of your sock. Then, take an old sock that does not have any holes or obvious worn spots in the fabric, and stuff it with 1-2 of the tissue paper balls. Add your desired amount of dry catnip into the sock, usually 1-2 tsp (1-2 g) and finish stuffing it with the remaining tissue paper balls. Then either tie off the end of the sock or use a needle and thread to stitch it closed.^{[8]
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- Instead of tissue paper, fill the sock with polyester or cotton fiberfill to make a plush toy.
- Add a small bell inside of the sock to further stimulate and entertain your cat.
- Make a smaller toy for your cat by using an infant’s sock and stuffing it with a little bit of cotton or polyester fiberfill and some catnip.
3
Make a catnip pillow by sewing two 4 by 4 in (10 by 10 cm) felt squares together. Use fabric scissors to cut 2 squares of felt—in a color of your choosing—that are approximately 4 by 4 in (10 by 10 cm) in size. Layer the fabric, and take a needle and thread to stitch together 3 sides of the squares to form a pouch. Fill the pouch with 1-2 tsp (1-2 g) of dry catnip and cotton stuffing to create a plush feel to the pillow. Then, seal the small pillow by stitching the last side closed.^{[9]
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- Instead of a simple square shape, consider cutting the felt into the shape of a fish, mouse, or another design of your choosing. Print a silhouette of your desired shape and trace it onto the felt to make the design process easier.
- If you do not have any felt, use the fabric from an old T-shirt instead. This is a great way to put an old shirt to good use, and it will supply you with extra fabric to make more toys.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

Making Scratching Posts

1
Transform a cardboard poster tube into a simple, colorful scratching post. Use standard cream-colored sisal rope to wrap the tube, or pick some rope that is dyed your favorite color to make it aesthetically appealing. Then, wrap the long piece of rope around the poster tube until all of the cardboard is covered. Secure the ends of the rope to the tube with hot glue to keep it from unraveling.^{[10]
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- The amount of rope you need greatly depends on the size of your tube, so bring it with you when you purchase your rope to help you gauge the amount you need.
- Purchase the poster tube at your local post office, craft store, or online with major retailers. Pick up some sisal rope at your local craft or hardware store.
- Have the post lay down or make it vertical by creating a base out of a cardboard box. Simply fill a small cardboard box with weighted items like large rocks. Seal the box with packaging tape to keep it from opening. Use hot glue or long strips of packaging tape to vertically secure the tube to the box.
2
Wrap a wooden stool with rope to create a sturdy, long-lasting scratching post. Take an old wooden stool and purpose it by wrapping the legs with sisal rope. Secure the ends of the rope to the wood with some hot glue. Size and cut a piece of carpet to fit the top of the stool, and secure it with hot glue. Once the hot glue dries, your cat will have endless fun scratching away at the covered stool.^{[11]
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- If you do not have a wooden stool, visit your local thrift store and purchase an inexpensive one. Your local department store may even have a plastic one to use as an alternative.
3
Turn a traffic cone into a lightweight scratching post for small living spaces. Put hot glue around the bottom portion of the cone where the triangular point meets the base. Begin wrapping your sisal rope, in a color and thickness of your choosing, around the cone on top of the glue. Continue laying a foundation of glue along the cone and wrapping it with the rope until the entire cone is covered. Then, allow it to dry for 1-2 hours before letting your cat scratch it.^{[12]
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- Purchase a rubber traffic cone in the sports section of your local department store or online with major retailers. Sisal rope can be purchased at a local hardware or craft store.
- Consider spray-painting the traffic cone your favorite color before wrapping it with rope. This way any portion of the cone that is visible will be aesthetically pleasing.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

Making a Cat Chase Ball track

A "Cat chase ball track" is an easy toy for kids to make and cats to enjoy. And the people watching the cats will enjoy it too. All you need are two clear 6 inch plastic plates, a small snack cup, a ping pong ball, and some multi-purpose or plastic cement. All materials are available at the Dollar Tree. It takes about ten minutes to make and then the fun begins. Simply call your cat, put down the toy and the cat will do the rest.

Let dry a few minutes.
Let dry. Call your cat and enjoy.

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Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

Making a Cat Wand

A cat wand is an easy toy for kids to make and cats to enjoy. All it takes is three items and maybe three minutes. You will need a rigid, reusable straw, a long shoelace, and some ribbon. When you are done, call your cat and both of you will have a good time.

1
Push the shoestring through the straw. A bamboo skewer is useful for this task.
2
Tie a knot in the end of the shoe string.
3
Cut three or more pieces of ribbon, each at least 4 inches long and tie them in a knot at the other end of the shoelace.
4
Now you have a cat wand; good for hours of fun for you and your cat.

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Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

Making a Cat Wand (Variation)

A variation of the "Cat Wand" is even simpler to make. You will need a clip, a string or shoelace, and a plastic Christmas ornament (not a glass one!).

1
Tie one end of the shoelace to the clip.
2
Tie the other end of the shoelace to the ornament.
3
Clip the cat wand to a window sill or a chair slat.
- Now you have another cat wand; good for hours of fun for you and your cat. You can also clip the ball and string to a wooden or plastic rod to use and interact with your cat.
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Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

Making a Cat Spinner Toy

A cat spinner is an easy toy for kids to make and cats to enjoy. All it takes is three items and maybe three minutes. You will need a small plastic plate (6" is best), a spinner, and three ping pong balls When you are done, call your cat. Both of you will have a good time.

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How many hours per day should I play with my cat?

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You should play with your cat about an hour a day. Spread the time out and leave 15-30 minutes of play for the end of the day. This will ensure that your cat will be tired and sleep throughout the night. If you want to play with your cat more, go ahead, but don't bother your cat constantly to play. Just play when he wants to play.

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Can I play fetch with my cat?

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If your cat likes to play fetch with you, then yes! Many cats love it.

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Is there a toy I can make out of yarn or string?

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Most cats/kittens would like just playing with a string dragged across the floor. But be careful, if the string is too thin, the cat can choke. Always put the string away when finished with it.

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Warnings

Only use dried catnip when making your cat toys. Dried catnip will last longer than fresh catnip, and will not become moldy as quickly.

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