20 Homemade Cat Toys Your Pet Will Love 

Cats have been a favorite pet and companion to humans for many years. They are loved pets because of their ability to keep rodents at bay and for their independent nature. While cats are independent and might not need your constant attention, they will still need ways to entertain themselves. Luckily, you don’t need to break the bank in order to entertain your cat. Here are 20 homemade cat toys your pet is sure to love. 

20 Homemade Cat Toys Your Pet Will Love 

Your cats will not care if you are paying for the most expensive or newest toy. Cats enjoy various forms of entertainment, and these 20 options below are the perfect DIY homemade cat toys for your furry friend. They are separated by difficulty level, ranging from items lying around your house to ones involving a little craftwork. Let’s get started. 

Easy Toys

The toys in this section are the most simple homemade cat toys. Most of them are objects that are probably already lying around your home.

1. Crumpled Paper 

Cats are simple. The crinkly paper offers a fun sound when played with and is non-threatening prey for your furry friend. Have any extra newspapers lying around the house? Crumple a few of those together and make a nice crumpled paper ball. Toss it on the floor and watch your furry friend have a blast.

2. A Box

Another thing that you probably readily have in your home is a box. Have you ordered anything from Amazon lately? Any box will do! While it may seem silly to you, cats like boxes for various reasons. One reason is that it provides them with a sense of safety. It also acts as a snug little hideout for them and helps to keep them warm. Regardless of their reason for enjoying this toy, it is definitely one that you should keep in your DIY arsenal.

3. Toilet Paper Roll

Another easy homemade cat toy is a toilet paper roll! While you can spice this toy up, having just a plain roll will also suffice. If cats see a piece of toilet paper fluttering off the end of the roll, it engages their hunter instincts, and they may attack it. This usually results in them unraveling the entire roll. Keep your bathroom door closed and give your cat the roll to avoid that mess.

4. Ball of Yarn

You don’t need the most expensive or fancy ball to entertain your pet cat. A ball of yarn is the perfect toy for your cat. When the ball begins to unravel, it becomes a fun object for your cat to chase. Many people believe that the slithering movement of the string resembles that of prey, and it appeals to your cat’s natural hunting instincts. Be mindful when allowing your cat to play with this toy. If the yarn is ingested, it can be potentially harmful to your cat.

Moderate Toys

This next section of homemade cat toys is still easy to make but requires a little more effort than the previous section. Like the section above, many of these toys can be made with objects found around your home. However, it will take a bit of craftsmanship and time to make them come together.

5. Scratch Pad 

You can create a DIY cat scratcher to help prevent cats from scratching your furniture. All you need are some plywood, nails, screws, some sisal rope, and maybe a bit of carpet and glue. The shape and design of your scratch pad is up to you. Some people make the traditional pole shape, while others make a triangle. Some people even use cardboard and tree bark to make a more natural-looking tree-stump scratch pad.

6. Cat Wand 

This is the perfect toy if you want to play with your cat. You would need a wooden dowel, twine, glue, and scissors. Wrap the twine around the dowel, leaving enough to dangle off of the wand. You can add additional things to dangle from your wand, such as feathers, fabric scraps, or bells. Then, wiggle the wand to move the twine and decorations across the floor and catch the interest of your feline friend.

7. Wine Cork Toy 

Having that drink after work can benefit someone other than yourself. After you have opened that bottle of wine, be sure to save the cork. Boil the cork to soften, and poke a hole into the top of the cork. Then stuff all sorts of fun things into that hole. Examples include feathers, ribbons, pipe cleaners, or anything that is sure to get your kitty’s attention. Use epoxy to hold it all in place and let your cat have fun. 

8. Treat Tube 

If you want to take your toilet paper roll toy to the next level, create a DIY treat tube for your cat. Fill that toilet paper roll with your cat’s favorite treats. Then, slightly close off both ends of the roll by folding them almost in half. You may decorate your toilet paper roll with things like pom poms if you’d like. Once the treats are secure in the roll, give the tube to your cat and enjoy watching them hunt for their treats.

9. T-Shirt Knot Toy 

Instead of throwing out those old, unwanted T-shirts in the back of your closet, use them to make your next cat toy. Cut the T-shirt into various strips of similar size. Then, tie those strips into knots. You now have a simple, affordable, homemade cat toy for your pet to play with. 

10. Pill Bottle Rattle 

Sounds that mimic the rustling of their prey are enticing to your cat and are a favorite way to pass their time. If you want an easy DIY cat toy for your home, try repurposing old pill bottles. Empty the bottle and thoroughly wash it before making it into a cat toy. Once it is cleaned out and ready for use, add some things to make noise. Good things to add are rice or small beans.

11. Easter Egg Toy

If you don’t have any pill bottles lying around, you can use some of your eggs from the last Easter holiday. Take the easter egg, open it up, and place the noise-making objects inside of it. You can fill this egg with the same small beans you would have put in the pill bottle.

12. Feather Toy

Attaching a feather to a piece of string can seem simple, but it can provide you and your pet with hours of entertainment. If you want to spice it up even more, you can add a bell as well so that it makes noise as you pull the string across the floor. This is another great choice if you are looking for an interactive homemade cat toy. 

13. Sock Fish Toy

Another great homemade cat toy to add to your collection is the sock fish toy. Fill an old sock with catnip and tie off the end to make it resemble a fishtail. Now, you have a toy that your cat will enjoy playing with for hours. 

Toys That Require More Effort

The homemade cat toys in this section require the most effort out of the list. While still simple and completely DIY, these toys require a bit more time and creativity to create. If you have the time or are feeling creative, try making these awesome homemade cat toys for your pet.

14. Cardboard Kitty Castle 

Why not build your cat a kitty dream castle? Take one or more cardboard boxes and position them in a way that resembles a house. Cut out a hole for the door, and add some windows as well. You can make the inside cozy by adding other toys and a soft blanket for them to curl up in. Feel free to make the castle as simple or complex as you like.

15. Kitty Puzzle 

A kitty puzzle is another great homemade cat toy that can be made from household items. Cut holes into the top of the lid of a disposable food container. Then, fill the container with interactive objects such as pom pom balls, treats, and catnip. Your cat will have a great time trying to move and remove objects from the puzzle box.

16. Cat Tent 

All you need to create this is an old T-shirt, a couple of wire hangers, and a piece of cardboard. Use the hangers to shape the tent, spread the T-shirt over the hangers, and put a nice blanket inside to make it extra cozy. Additionally, you could easily make a teepee for your cat using cardboard, sheets, and wooden sticks.

17. Felt Mouse Toy 

For this homemade cat toy, you will need to be able to sew. Get some felt pieces and sew them into the shape of a mouse. Next, stuff them with catnip. You can also tie a string around the tail of the mouse and pull it along the floor. Your cat is sure to love chasing this homemade cat toy around.

18. Soda Box Hide and Seek 

Grab a soda box and cut a few holes onto the top of it. Have one side of the box open as well. Have balls or other toys your cat is interested in and drop them into the holes to “hide.” You can also use this piece for a whack-a-mole type of game. Placing your cat’s balls or toys on top of the holes and allowing them to hit them down into the box. 

19. Self Petting Station 

For the times you are too busy to pet your cat, build them a self-petting station. You will need some toilet cleaning brushes, a plank of wood, a small board of wood, some nails, glue, and fabric. Create a U shape with the brushes so that when your cat wants a pet, it can just go underneath and rub until it feels thoroughly petted. 

20. Cat Sensory Stand 

Create a cat sensory stand using common household objects. Objects like a stool or a box can be your base. Hang different fabrics and strings for them to play with. Have sections with sisal rope for them to scratch. Have different textures to walk on in different areas. Get as creative with this as you’d like.

Summary of 20 Homemade Cat Toys Your Pet Will Love 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Svetlana Popova