Handmade toys that make cats happy
There are tons of toys on the market that seem like cats would love them, but many cat owners have probably experienced this: you head home all excited thinking, “This looks fun! My cat will love it!” only to be met with complete indifference and no play at all.
And then there’s the opposite: your cat ends up playing with some trash lying around the house or a scrap you were about to throw away, making you think, “You’re playing with that?”
So, how about making your own cat toys tailored to your cat’s preferences?
The toys introduced in this article are mainly simple to make using items you already have at home.
When your cat plays with your handmade toys, it’s so delightful that you’ll want to make even more!
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Handmade toys that make cats happy (11–20)
caltrops
Even if your cat breaks it, it’s all in good fun! Why not try making a handmade “makibishi” toy? It’s easy to sew by hand, so it’s great even if you aren’t confident with sewing or using a machine.
Sew your favorite fabric into a small pouch with a running stitch, turn it inside out, and stuff it with cotton.
The more cotton you pack, the more it will roll around, making it extra fun for your cat to play with.
Stitch the opening closed, shape it into a triangle, and you’re done! It will wobble and roll when your cat taps it with their front paws, sparking their curiosity.
There are lots of ways to play with it!
String-attached towel teaser
A super easy-to-make towel teaser toy with a string that lets your cat play dynamically.
If you have a towel and a string, you can make it in under three minutes: tie a knot in the towel, then tie the string to the towel’s tag, and you’re done! If the towel doesn’t have a tag, thread the string through the knot and tie it on—it should still be sturdy.
Your cat can kick it like a kicker toy, chase it, or bite it to relieve stress.
It’s especially great for kittens during the teething phase.
And if it gets shredded, you can quickly make a new one right away.
Hand-knitted dome house
Why not try handmaking a cute, round cat house using yarn from the 100-yen shop? Its warm, gentle texture is sure to make your kitty fall in love with it! By using three strands of yarn and crocheting tightly, it’s sturdy enough to withstand scratching and even a cat sitting on it without losing its shape.
Crocheting tightly can be a bit challenging, but since it’s crochet, it’s easy to get started.
You can also customize it by making the entrance wider or adding your own touches.
The shape and firmness will vary depending on your tension, so it might be fun to experiment and find the style you like.
Transparent hose toy
You can make a mysterious toy out of a clear hose that will have your cat totally obsessed! It’s a toy where you put bird feathers or bells inside a looped clear hose and use a string to manipulate it while you play with your cat.
You can pick up all the materials cheaply at a home improvement store.
The prey inside the transparent hose is visible but just out of reach! You can almost feel your cat’s frustration.
Watching your cat get totally absorbed, chasing the “prey” around, is so soothing too!
kick plushie
Kick toys shaped like fish or shrimp—those various shapes you see for sale.
You know, the ones cats hug while lying down and kick furiously with their back legs.
How about making one of those kick toys using leftover fabric and stuffing? Kick toys take a beating from hard kicks and claws, so they wear out quickly.
If a fish shape feels too difficult, a simple rectangle is easy—just straight seams, so it’s simple even to hand-sew.
Stuff the inside with cotton, and depending on your cats’ preferences, add some silvervine or catnip.
Mouse toy
You often see those small mouse-shaped toys that cats love, right? But apparently, those toys are the number one item cats accidentally swallow while playing.
It might be because they’re made of leather.
So how about making a handmade mouse toy instead? It looks cute, and even if it’s lying around the room, it would still look adorable, right? Another great thing about handmade toys is that you can make them in a safe size that cats won’t swallow.
It would be cute to make lots of colorful mouse toys in different colors, too!
Handmade toys that make cats happy (21–30)
An uphill slope made by winding rope
For cats, their claws are essential for hunting and self-defense.
They also scratch for marking and to refresh their mood.
With that in mind, here’s an inclined ramp made with rope that can also serve as a scratching surface.
Wrap a long, prepared board tightly with rope.
When you prop it up, you can create a long indoor incline.
You could even dye the rope to improve the appearance.
Watching a cat earnestly climb the rope from behind is incredibly cute.
If you shorten the board, you’ll have a long-rope scratching post.
In conclusion
We introduced some homemade toys that your cats are sure to love. They’re all simple and seem easy to make with materials you already have at home, right? Every cat has different preferences, so if something looks like it’ll be a hit, give it a try and enjoy their reactions!