Dear Miss Behavin’: I’m a budget conscious cat owner and I’m looking for new ways to entertain my cat without breaking my bank account. Do you know of any crafty toys that are easy to make?
Reply: That’s a great question and can be a fun at-home project as well! There are plenty of cat toys on the market that can run an owner into the double or triple digits when it comes to spending, but there’s also a great deal that can be made at home using household recycled items.
The easiest and simplest is a hiding box. Most cats love to hide and peek out from behind a safe durable interior, like a regular cardboard shipping box. If placed on its side with a felt cloth attached, the box becomes a fun peek-a-boo toy that your cat can peek out from or take a quick cat nap inside. You can hole punch the box and tie the felt through or just use a stapler to secure; just be sure that there are no loose or sharp ends that the cat may get caught on or scratch themselves with. Alternatively, a short laundry basket or any type of basket with a blanket inside makes a relaxing cat bed or hiding spot.
Also, a dismantled cardboard box can serve as a quick and easy scratching pad for a cat. Just open up the cardboard box at the top and bottom and fold it down so that it becomes flat on the ground. Your cat might like pouncing on it if there’s a toy or catnip placed on top, or might naturally use it as a scratching pad. Be sure the flat cardboard area is at least the length of your cat, so your cat can get a good stretch and grip it using both its front and back claws.
Here are a few other easy craft toys that require even less time and material to make:
• Pipe cleaners attached together to form a long cat wand, spiraling at the end;
• Recycled cardboard tubes from the inside of a toilet roll – fray the ends and create a toy that rolls or add treats and close the ends for a treat puzzle;
• Add catnip inside an old sock and tie off the end for a toy your cat can roll over, paw at, and chew on;
• Tie a mouse toy or feathers to the end of a shoelace, ribbon, or string and tap into their natural prey drive;
• Turn a recycled tissue box into a cat puzzle toy, with a toy mouse inside, cat treats, or even cat nip;
There are plenty more ideas out there, limited only by your time, household items, and your cat’s interests, so have fun with it!