What is going on inside your cat’s mind? Recently, they really loved that plush mouse on a string you bought them. This week? Well, it may be time to think of something new. We know you love your cat, but this can help your little kitty love you even more!
Your cat needs constant and new stimulation, though, so it’s off to the pet store for you to buy them yet another toy. Cue the same repeated cycle: your cat is excited about the new toy for a few days, then they grow incredibly bored. Think of all the money it would cost you to endlessly entertain your cat or emotional support cat.
So, are you ready to change things up a bit? Instead of constantly dropping money to keep your cat entertained, why not go the DIY cat toys route? It’s really not that tough, and your cat will love you for it. Whether you want to make homemade cat toys, beds, or more, you’ll need inspiration. We have some Do-It-Yourself ideas to help you get started:
1. A Literal Cat Tree
You know what a cat tree looks like: it’s a sprawling, often wooden structure covered in rope and carpeting. Your cat may even already have one. If not, why not take the “tree” in the cat tree literally with this DIY project? It’s recommended you choose juniper tree branches for their looks and durability. You can either buy the tree branches at a craft store or cut them down yourself (but make sure you have permission to do so first!). After some staining and finessing, voila! Your cat will love it.
2. Cat Hammock
Give your cat a taste of the good life by making them a cat diy hammock. They’ll sit in the lap of luxury with little effort on your part. You only need a cardboard box for the base (make sure you can get one without your kitty claiming it!) and an old cloth for the hammock. With some cutting and tying of the cloth on both sides, your cat will be ready to spend their days judging all us humans from their new perch.
3. Treat Dispenser Puzzle
Your cat is a good girl or boy, so of course, they deserve treats from time to time. Still, unsealing the bag and dropping the treats on the floor (or handfeeding your cat if that’s more your thing) is lacking a little something. Make treat time game time with a DIY treat dispenser puzzle. You can use an old plastic food storage container for this project. By cutting variously-sized holes out of the top of the lid and filling the container with a bunch of little toys, your cat will use their creative thinking to get their treats freed from the puzzle.
4. Cardboard Cat Cocoon
What is this cat cocoon made of? At first glance, it looks like intricately woven fabric. It’s actually cardboard, layers upon layers upon layers of the stuff. If you have that much cardboard available, you can make your own cat cocoon. The shape is completely customizable. What matters most is that your cat has the room to crawl in and stretch their legs. If you have more than one cat, multiple pets should have ample space. You can use glue to adhere to the cardboard, but make sure each layer is fully dried before moving on to the next one!
5. Cat Yarn Balls
Does your cat often use your clothes as its own yarn ball, tossing and rolling and playing? Do you hate finding scratches and tears and—oh no—mounds of cat hair on all your outfits? You better make these cat yarn balls ASAP. This DIY project is as easy as they come, with no sewing required. You just take some yarn, ball it up, tie the ends so none are loose, and let your cat play with their new toy instead of your expensive clothes.
6. Kitty Door Scratcher
Here’s a variation on the hanging scratching post idea mentioned above. If you don’t want to hang your cat’s scratching post to the wall, hook it on the doorknob instead. This scratcher has the same premise: it’s slim and tall, so it’ll be sure to keep your kitty busy for hours. Given its secure fit on the doorknob, it’d be very hard (but not impossible) for your cat to knock this scratcher off the door. Try this on a lesser-used door, such as a closet door or even a guest bedroom door.
7. Peek-a-Boo Ball Game
Is your cat tired of the same ol’, same ol’? Then make your own fun homemade cat toys! Get their heart pumping and their brain working with this totally uncomplicated homemade peek-a-boo ball game. You will need a plastic cat ball, but you probably already have one of those lying around, anyway. Otherwise, just repurpose a thin, lengthy cardboard box, painting it for appeal. Cut a few holes that fit the size of the ball and prepare for hours of fun with your feline.
8. Wall Shelves
You know it annoys you to no end when your cat climbs atop your bookcase or knickknack shelves. You’re always afraid kitty is going to knock something over. Give them their own shelves with some cat-friendly seating. You can buy premade, simple shelves at your favorite home supply store. To avoid splinters, stain and paint the shelves. If you’re feeling extra generous, add some carpeting so kitty is comfortable all day and night.
9. Outdoor Enclosure
Some cats are terrified of the great outdoors and want to remain inside at all times. Others like to roam for a few hours before returning to the safety of their home. Others still could spend hours outside. If your cat likes the outdoors, build them a safe, roomy enclosure. In this cat DIY project, you’ll only need wood and some chicken wire on hand. The cool part about this project is you can customize it to your liking! For instance, your cat can have a smaller enclosure or you can build one that sprawls the width of your house.
10. Cat Wand
Save money making toys for your cat with a DIY cat wand. It’s recommended you use a dowel rod for the wand itself. Otherwise, you’re free to add whichever creative touches you want, such as pieces of felt, paper, or whatever other material gets your cat going. Wrap some felt around the dowel where your hand will go for hours of comfortable playing. Here’s a hint: to engage your cat for the first time you introduce the wand, rub some catnip on it. That will get your kitty ready for some thrills and they might even tell you how much they love it!