Simple Cat Toys You Can Make

Great Ways to Play Simple Cat Toys You Can Make

by Maryjean Ballner

 

What can you do when traditional cat toys become boring or too costly? How can you warm up a 'cool cat' or a new cat? And how on earth can you entice a 'couch-potato-cat' to get more exercise? Here are some simple toys you can make that won't break your budget. While they're not elaborate, they're affordable and fun, and they demonstrate how much you care for your feline.

 

#1 Let's go to the mat! Try this: the action is simple, yet the results can get dramatic. You'll need a mat accompanied by a toy wand or some type of stick. The mat can be an (approximate) 15 x 25-inch cat mat or a similar sized thin cushion. Hunt down an unused cloth place mat or even an available pillowcase. The toy wand is generally a flexible stick with a "puff" on one end. If the puff is too big or unruly, you can always trim it for a sleeker effect. For a stick, two or three drinking straws taped together will work, and so does either end of a peacock feather. The set-up is quite simple. It's almost too simple to believe. Instead of pulling your wand across the floor, or up in the air, insert the stick under the mat. Lay it down, cover it with the mat, and slowly pull the wand under the mat. The cat will see the length of the stick poking out from under the mat. As you slowly pull, the stick disappears under the mat. THIS is when the cat reacts. Instead of a regular routine, Cat goes into hunter mode. He'll ambush the disappearing stick. Other times he'll claw and grasp at the bump created as the stick silently passes under the mat. Kittens will pounce on the whole deal. It's an unusual phenomenon-When Cat no longer sees the entire toy, the exposed element left becomes quite intriguing. This is especially effective for scaredy cats, because the cat feels bigger when tackling just a piece of the action. Scared cats can be afraid to play up into the air, and often prefer their prey to be below them.

 

#2 Drinking Straws. Plastic straws can't be easily caught or held onto. Cats are amazed when it slides between their claws. When a straw is caught, many times the back claws join in as the cat earnestly tries to 'get a grip' on the smooth, slippery tube. They're surprised when their front claws can't catch it; they're even more perplexed when the back ones can't either! You can even draw a piece of string or yarn through the straw, tying a large knot at then end so the yarn doesn't slip through the straw. You can pull this along the floor, and have Cat chase behind you. Or suspend it from a hook, and let it dangle for their amusement.

 

#3 Wine Corks. Cats bat corks around, or sink their teeth into them. Because of their shape, corks don't roll evenly, which makes their action more intriguing. As long as the cat is not a 'chew & swallow' fellow, this is fun. Just be sure to supervise play and this simple toy can be a real kitty pleaser.

 

#4 Ping Pong Balls. A ping pong ball in a bath tub makes an instant miniature racquetball court! Up and down the sides of the tub, the ball spins around for the chase. These balls are light and fast moving, and they sound great, especially on hardwood floors.

 

#5 Weed Whacker Stripping. Instead of purchasing individual cat dancers, try this: Cut a two or three foot piece from a reel of weed whacker stripping. The action is the same - it dances around and entices the cat to stalk and play.

 

#6 Aquarium Tubing. It's non-toxic and as you twist the tubing around, the cat will try and pin it down with its claws. Swirl and turn it- the tubing pulls through their claws like a snake trying to escape.

 

#7 Super Balls. They bounce high and they bounce alot. I keep trying to teach my cats to fetch with them, but they're always more interested in the hunt. Be interactive with this idea; after you've tossed the ball, and they've caught it, follow them to their position and toss it again. Too many people toss a toy and simply expect cats to play; cats expect you to play... with them.

 

#8 Film Canisters. By themselves, film canisters can be fun. Like corks, their awkward roll is appealing. For enhanced fun, put a penny inside one- the noise it makes is a value-added extra! Need film canisters? Ask at the photography department of your local drugstores or any Costco. Usually they're glad to give them away.

 

#9 Peacock Feathers. You may be lucky enough to live where these feathers are free and abundant. I've seen them on the ground at zoos. To purchase, they're usually about a dollar each, making them the most expensive idea offered here, but still reasonable. Peacock feathers are my personal favorite. They taught my scaredy cat that he can be powerful; he chases and attacks with a ferocity out of character for his timid nature. My other cat mangles and tangles with the feathers until they're limp and the individual strands have fallen off. They're always worth their price.

 

So not all cat toys need to be expensive. Many are simply and easily made. What they do need is you to make them effective and fun. A little bit of your time can create a winner from a strip of weed whacking plastic, and transform a bath tub into a stadium! Have fun!

 

About the Author: Maryjean Ballner produced the videotape ':Your Cat Wants a Massage!' ($9.99) and is the author of 'Cat Massage: A Whiskers-To-Tail Guide to Your Cat's Ultimate Petting Pleasure.' ($11.95) Contact her at 1-877-MEOW-MEOW or www.dogandcatmassage.com.