From hand-sewn patterns to makeshift playthings cobbled together from popular household items, a new toy can entertain feline friends for hours. While the pet market is flooded with unique concepts, making a toy by hand can provide a quick object for entertaining a bored animal; and a cheap option for pet lovers on a budget.
A range of craft materials and small "safe" items have properties that appeal to cats, from noisemakers to bouncy materials. Any cat's playful side will be encouraged by a new toy made from materials he or she finds entertaining.
Feather Ball
Cats of all ages love feathers, possibly because of the same instinct that house them watching birds by the hour from the nearest windowsill. A cat toy that incorporates large craft feathers particularly appeals to cats, with the feather's realistic movement.
Directions:
- Sew a miniature two or three-sided ball from fabric using a free-hand pattern or online template, leaving a small opening at the top.
- Use a small tuft of cotton batting or dried catnip to stuff the toy, then place the quills of two or three craft feathers inside the ball.
- Sew the fabric closed tightly around the feathers, using a daub of non-toxic glue to seal the opening closed. Once the glue is dry, the ball is ready to be tossed around in play.
Jingle Mouse
The only thing cats love more than mice are creative noisemakers. A simple mouse-shaped baggie (made from a pattern like the one included) stuffed with a couple of mini jingle bells makes a creative toy for cats and kittens to bat around a room.
Directions:
- Use the mouse template below to cut two fabric halves; sew them together and turn inside-out to hide the seams, leaving a small opening at the tail.
- Instead of stuffing the skin, add one or two jingle bells.
- Knot a piece of yarn or non-toxic fabric cording and insert the knot just inside the mouse. Sew closed, fastening the tail in place, leaving a long strand on the outside for pulling and dangling the mouse toy.
Ping Pong Pull
Cats love toys that incorporate both movement and noise, especially when humans are helping the movement along. For a simple toy that provides quick entertainment for cats, use a ping-pong ball and a long piece of yarn.
Tie the yarn or non-toxic cording through one of the holes in a plastic ping-pong or practice golf ball. The lightweight hole-ridden plastic bounces along the floor when the string is yanked, causing cats and kittens to pounce and leap after the skittering toy.
Creative toys encourage positive interaction between pets and their favorite people; crafting one by hand allows pet owners to make sure the toy is a safe choice for their furry friend. As always, supervise play time as much as possible with any pet toys to prevent accidents.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
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