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Cats love to play and they do this throughout their lives. For this reason, it is very important to have plenty of cat toys that stimulate this natural behavior. In the case of cats that live alone, with no other cats, or with owners who spend a lot of time away from home, toys play an even more important role.
The good news is that many of them can be made at home, with simple and inexpensive materials. After all, cat lovers know that cats don't need much to be happy. So, if you are in need of tips on toys for your kitties, check out the following 45 super cool ideas for your kitty to have a lot of fun.
1. scratcher
The scratcher is one of the most important toys for cats. After all, sharpening their nails is fundamental to the felines' well-being. There are many models of scrapers and they can be made from various materials, such as sisal, cardboard, and some fabrics.
The vertical model, like this one in the photo, is one of the most functional, as kittens can scratch standing up and stretching. The taller ones are even cooler, they can also climb.
However, it is important to pay attention to the size of the scratcher, because it must be proportional to the size of your kitten. If your cat is a large cat, you will have to use a scratcher that is big enough and strong enough to stand up to the weight of the animal. It is also possible to add hangers to make the object even more attractive.
2. tower
Cats love heights and love to climb on furniture and objects in the house, so how about providing a special corner just for them? The so-called towers or little houses with floors are also excellent toys for cats, because they can climb, play, exercise and even rest at heights.
Some towers also have scratchers, hangers, and soft textures to increase the joy and comfort of kittens. A good tip is to place them on balconies, roofs, outside areas or near windows, so they can also watch the street and sunbathe, two other activities that cats love.
3. step by step: cat wand
Wands are toys that are also very successful with felines, after all, they love hanging objects with eye-catching decoration along their length. This accessory is ideal for the owner to play with his pet, shaking the wand so that kitty tries to pick it up.
4. tunnel
If you have cats, you know that they love to burrow, whether it's in a small gap on the end of a blanket or in a small space between two pieces of furniture, if there is a passage, the cat wants to get in. To satisfy this feline habit, there is a cat tunnel, a toy specially made for them to pass back and forth.
In general, it is cylindrical in shape, made of polyester, and has an inner spring that, once armed, makes the tunnel stay open. Some have the simplest format, i.e. they are long and straight. Others have bifurcations that exit into another tunnel.
But besides the models available on the market, you can also make a tunnel for your cat using cardboard boxes. Just put together at least 3 or 4 boxes and seal them so they don't open during the game, then make a hole at both ends big enough for the cat to pass through without squeezing.
5. wall shelves
This is another option for kitties to enjoy high places. Every cat lover knows that cats love climbing, and wall shelves serve precisely as stairs for cats to explore the house and exercise.
It is a super simple and easy solution, just install a reasonable amount of shelves on the wall, with distances that they can reach. The arrangement of the shelves can be done in several ways, it depends on the creativity of each one.
There are many models: simple shelves, ladder shelves, round shelves, square shelves, stylized shelves, wooden shelves, colorful shelves, etc. Some people complement these with niches, also attached to the wall.
6. step by step: cardboard box castle
In this video, youtuber Jessika Taynara teaches how to make this super fun toy for kitties.
The most interesting thing is that, besides using recyclable material, it is ideal for cats because it is high and has several passages for them to explore.
7. mouse
Cats are hunters by nature and, for this reason, it is very common the association of mice as one of their natural prey. The toys in this format appear in several models: there are rubber, felt, sisal, cloth mice, with hanging feathers and even remote control mice. This is another option that can be bought in petshops or do it at home.
8. massager
Those who have cats know that they love to rub their bodies against various furniture and objects in the house, including their owners' legs, as a form of affection. Besides showing affection, this also leaves their scent in the environment to mark territory.
With this in mind, one of the toys that has emerged is the massager, which is nothing more than an arc made with a brush for the kitten to pass under, and thereby massage and brush his body. The object also helps to remove loose hair, reduce shedding, and prevent hairballs.
It is also possible to make a homemade version of this toy. You will need a wooden board to mount the base and some bristle rollers, which will be attached in an arch shape to the wood with hot glue. The problem is that these rollers are not very easy to find, so the other option is to use those longer dish brushes, which are used to clean glasses and bottles. Butattention: the bristles must be soft.
9. step by step: hutch style house with scratcher
For those who want to combine the happiness of their kitty with a beautiful decorative piece, this house is a great option! It is shaped like a hutch and is super stylish, contributing to the decoration of the house. This model also has an extra feature, which is the scratcher on the side, so your cat can also exercise and sharpen the nails.
10. network
The felines can also play and enjoy a good nap in a comfortable and cozy hammock. One of the most popular models is the one that is installed under furniture, especially chairs. There are several models in stores, but this is also a very easy piece to make at home.
To do this, choose a resistant and beautiful fabric and tie it under a chair or other piece of furniture of your preference, tying it firmly to the feet of the furniture. You can also set up a wooden structure to hold the fabric and create a special corner just for them.
11. grass
Grass is a great way to bring fun and health to your kitty. Cats lick themselves a lot, so they ingest a lot of hair, which can harm their digestive system by creating hairballs that make them vomit.
Cats also love to play with grass, lie on it, and thus interact more with nature. They can be bought in pet shops or planted at home.
You can use the grass type grass or other plants that are not toxic. Popcorn grass is a favorite of kittens and is super simple to plant, just put the natural popcorn kernels (not microwaveable) in a pot with composted soil and water until it grows.
12. step by step: three easy toys to make with string, fabric and styrofoam
There is nothing better than making toys for our cats with materials we already have at home, isn't there? In fact, they love these kinds of toys because they are animals that are very easily pleased. In this video, you will learn how to make 3 super easy toys with accessible and inexpensive materials to give as gifts to your felines.
13. mustache scratcher
This is another option of a massaging object for your kitty: a brush that sticks to the edges of walls or furniture. Getting back to the "rubbing and scrubbing" habit of cats, one of the parts of the body they use most for this is the face, more specifically the whiskers area.
This is because they have several odor glands on their heads, spread all over the face, up to the neck. So when the cat rubs its face against an object, it leaves its smell there, thanks to the hormones secreted by the glands. For this reason, this toy is a success in the feline world.
There is a model sold in pet stores and specialized stores, which is usually a bit expensive, but the one in the photo is a very easy and inexpensive homemade model. You will need two cleaning brushes, two small hinges, screws, and double-sided tape. Attach one brush to the other with the hinges using a screwdriver.
Then, glue the adhesive tapes to the two brushes and attach the piece to the sides of the table foot, close to the floor. It is also possible to do without the hinges, just gluing a brush on each side of the table foot, and it is even easier.
14. boxes
With a simple box you can make your kitten very happy, so instead of investing a lot of money in expensive pet shop products, reuse a small box and make your friend very happy. You can offer normal boxes, without making any changes to them, or create other toys, as we have shown above.
It is also possible to use a closed box and make openings for them to get in: cardboard boxes, shoe boxes, pizza boxes, gift boxes, wooden boxes, crates, etc.
15. step by step: puff with mushroom-shaped scratcher
Here, we have another option that not only pleases the cat, but also helps to give a special touch to the decoration. This mushroom scratching puff is super cute and serves both for the kitty to rest, as well as to sharpen the nails. Check out the step by step and the tips in the video and bring joy to your best friend!
16. window bed
This window box is a great alternative for kittens living in apartments. They love to look out and so they usually sit on the window sills, but since these spaces are usually tight and they get squeezed in, you can use this specially made box for them to enjoy the view outside, get some sun and, of course, sleep a lot.
It comes with suction cups, which allows it to be well attached to the window or door glass. There are several models, colors, prints, and sizes available in the market. But don't forget: all the windows in the house must be screened.
17. ball
Despite being a more attractive toy for dogs, cats also usually like the little balls. There are several types, there are those little ones that bounce high, known as "perereca" or "pula-pula"; the rubber ones, which are great for biting and scratching; and also more modern models that come with rattles, feathers, strings and even catnip, the famous cat herb. It is alsoYou can make simple little balls at home, out of crumpled paper, crochet, or an old sock, they love it!
18. step by step: feline mobile
Since cats love hanging things, how about making a mobile especially for them? And even better, without spending anything! This video will teach you how to make several models of this super cool toy for cats, made with affordable materials that we usually have at home.
19. footbridge or bridge
Another fun option to satisfy kitties' desire for height are catwalks and bridges, which are placed high up on the wall and can be fixed in a single corner or span several rooms of the house. You can also complement them with shelves, niches, and scratching posts, turning your wall into a playground for your felines.
For those who have carpentry skills, they can make this object at home. All they need is wood boards and chains. But there are also many options and models of footbridges and bridges available for sale in the pet market.
20. soap bubbles
This is a toy option that is so cheap and easy to find that it is well worth trying out to see if your kitty likes it.
But it is important not to release the bubbles too close to their faces and to be careful with the little eyes, so that no soap gets in. There are even specific brands for pets, which increases safety even more.
21. step by step: ball maze
Cats love this kind of toy, because they are investigative, curious animals and love to explore new territories.
With this game, he is entertained, stimulates his curiosity, his hunting instinct, and also his visual and tactical perception.
23. niches
This is one of the most creative options, as there are many models and many possible ways to use them. There are niches that are attached to the top of the wall, which can be used both for climbing and resting.
There are niches that stay on the floor, which can also be replaced by vases, baskets, crates, and any object that they can get into. Another option is to use a piece of furniture full of niches and reserve some (or all) of them for the kitties.
24. catnip
Catnip is popularly known as catnip, and is quite famous for its stimulating effects. Its leaves have a substance that acts on the cat's brain and causes changes in their behavior. Because of this, it provides many moments of fun for your kitty, and can make him more agitated.
This herb also helps to relieve the stress of very active cats that are always scratching and damaging objects in the house, and can also serve as a stimulant for very apathetic and despondent kittens. The effect lasts about ten minutes. Contrary to what many people think, it is not harmful to health and is not addictive.
Many cat toys are already filled with catnip, but you can also buy it at pet stores and specialized stores and plant it at home.
25. step by step: two-story basket furniture
There are many models of cat furniture for sale, but these objects are usually very expensive, so how about learning how to make one for your kitty yourself? With this video, you learn how to make a two-story piece of furniture with wicker baskets and other inexpensive materials. It's cute!
26. plush
Plush toys are also a good alternative toy for cats, because they are soft and cuddly, so they can bite, scratch and hug at will. Besides the classic animals, it is also possible to find little monsters, like the one in the photo, flowers, smiles, and even plush in the shape of cookies, doughnuts, sushi, etc. Some even come filled with catnip.
27. spring
Springs are very attractive toys for cats, because they love things that move and jump. There are several models in pet shops, but you can also make one at home. It can be made with large spiral notebooks, but you have to be very careful with the edges. The ideal is to make a cover with some fabric or string. The one in the photo, for example, is covered with suede.
It is also possible to use those children's springs, which were very successful in the 90's. In stores you can still find several types of toys that have springs, such as those that are attached to a base and each time the kitten hits them, they move. Some come with props and balls.
28. step by step: 4 toys made with toilet paper rolls
Do you have a cat at home and throw away toilet paper rolls? Don't do that anymore! Use this material to make toys for your pets. In this video you will learn how to make 4 different and creative toys out of toilet paper rolls. You can be sure that your cats will love them!
29. pillow
If you have cats, you have certainly noticed that they have the habit of fluffing their paws on blankets and pillows, or even on their owners' bodies, haven't you? And one of the places they most like to do this is precisely on soft and fluffy objects such as pillows.
See_also: Library at home: how to organize and 70 pictures to inspire you30. pompom
Another great idea is to give your cat a pom-pom to play with! To make it at home, all you need is a ball of wool and a pair of scissors. The first step is to wrap the wool around your hand, holding one end with your finger. After you have a considerable amount of it, take it out of your hand, cut the thread, and tie in the middle.
To make it very firm, you can take another strand of wool and tie another knot, then cut the curves to open it, and the pompom is ready! It is also possible to make it with string. You can also tie it to a string, a rod, or ribbons to make the toy even more attractive.
31. step by step: Snack Bottle
A great way to encourage cats to play more is through treats. You can make various kinds of toys with treats inside so that they try to catch them and thus get more exercise. In the video above, it was made with a small plastic bottle and some colored feathers. Learn the step by step!
32. lace
Cats love shoelaces, so keep some just for them, and you won't run the risk of them ruining your shoes. A nice tip is to tie one shoelace to the other, making a little braid. If each one is a different color, it's even cuter. Another option is to take a shoelace and drag it around the house, walking or running. Cats can't resist this, so you can invent a "catch".feline.
33. activity mat
This activity mat is a very nice option for your cat to play on. He has fun and stimulates his joints by trying to catch the hanging toys. This toy can also be made at home with wire, then you just have to line it with fabric and hang the little balls, pom-poms, mice, and whatever else you want.
34. step by step: toca made with t-shirt
Do you want to learn how to make a completely homemade den for your kitty? Then, check out the video above, which teaches you step by step.
35. peteca
As we mentioned before, cats love feathers, so why not give them a peteca to play with? There are already some models suitable for them, made with little balls and other creative shapes.
36. step by step: 2 easy and cheap toys with straw and tape
In this video, you will learn how to make two super easy and quick toys to play with your kitty. Cats love toys to interact with their owners, so take the opportunity to spend more time with your pet and make him even happier.
See_also: Beach wedding: 70 ideas and tips for an unforgettable ceremony37. crochet
Crochet toys are great options for your kitties, because they are cute, soft, warm, and provide an interesting texture due to the tiny stitch holes. There are many possibilities for toys made with this sewing technique, and if you know how to sew, you can create an even more special toy for your kitty.
38. hourglass
If you have an hourglass at home, all you have to do is remove the glass part with sand and fit a medium-sized ball so that it doesn't go through the gap in the wood. This way, your kitty will be crazy trying to catch the ball and can even roll with the toy on the floor.
39. step by step: creative house with scratcher
Cats love to play and hide, so check out this super stylish kitty scratching box project! Follow the tips and step-by-step instructions to learn how to make one just like it at home.
40. fishing in the basin
With this game, your kitten will feel like a real fisherman. Take a bowl and fill it with a little water, then put a toy fish in the water, and the fun is guaranteed! Despite their reputation of not liking water, cats like to interact with floating objects, and often also like to dip their paws in the water and lick them.
41. paper bags
Most cats love to hide in paper bags, especially bread bags. They also like to jump on them, especially ones that make a lot of noise. To make the game even more interesting, you can even customize the bag by cutting the bottom to allow the cat to pass inside. Or, you can also hide a toy.
Another option is gift bags, but be very careful, because plastic bags can suffocate the kitten, always monitor when he is playing and then hide the bag in a place he can't access. And never use supermarket bags!
42. step by step: secret box
If you want a super creative and different toy for your cat, how about this surprise box? This is a super interesting project that will stimulate your kitty a lot. And the most amazing thing is that you only need, basically, cardboard boxes and some tools. This is another super cool option for you and him to play together!
43. pen and pencil
We already know that cats like to play with the most unusual objects, but did you know that most cats love to play with pens and pencils? That's right, they like to tap their paws to see them rolling around on the floor, and they can have hours of fun doing it.
That is why you can remove the ink cartridge from pens you no longer use and use them to amuse your kitty! This is proof that such simple things can guarantee their joy.
44. complete playground
If you live in a large and spacious environment, you can create a real playground for your felines. In this photo, the office was fully equipped with ladders on the wall, shelves and high walkways, a scratcher on the pilaster and niches on the floor. This is a more costly and laborious option, but for those who have many cats, it is well worth transforming and adapting the house to provide a largercomfort for your pets.
And there, did you like our suggestions? Toys for house cats can be as much fun as a hunt in nature. Test the options and find out what kind of toys your cat likes best to keep him always entertained. Surrounded by love and fun, he will leave stress aside and live much happier!
