December Newsletter

DO-IT-YOURSELF CAT TOYS

DO-IT-YOURSELF CAT TOYS

Get crafty to bring out the playful side of your cat. It only requires a few inexpensive items and a little patience to create toys that provide hours of feline fun.

Cats can be a lot like little kids: You give them an expensive toy, but they end up playing with the box it came in. So forgo the store-bought toys and assemble a couple of affordable ones on your own.

Cat Fish. If you can sew, you can easily make a fish-shaped toy for your cat stuffed with catnip that will deliver endless hours of entertainment.

Cat Fish

What you'll need:

  • 2 sheets of colorful felt in complementary colors
  • 2 buttons (for eyes)
  • Needle
  • Thread in third color
  • Catnip
  • Polyester stuffing

Steps:

  • On tracing paper, draw the outline of a 5” fish to make a pattern (for inspiration, search “fish outline”) under Google Images
  • Cut out your pattern and overlay it on the felt
  • Pin sides together 1/2 inch from the edge of the outline
  • Cut felt in identical fish shapes
  • Generously sprinkle catnip on one side
  • Sew pieces together, allowing for enough room to add stuffing
  • Insert stuffing, remove pins, and sew all around
  • Add a button on each side for an eye
  • Cut fringe from remaining felt for gills and add to opposite-color sides
  • Voilà!
Feathered Friend

Feathered Friend. Feathers fascinate cats, and you can create a plumed companion for yours that stimulates her instinct to stalk.

What you'll need:

  • Package of marabou feathers (available at craft stores)
  • Package of small jingle bells
  • Length of ribbon 1/2” wide
  • Small rubber band
  • Glue

Steps:

  • Gather feathers in rubber band
  • Glue the feather bundle to a length of ribbon
  • Tie ribbon in knot after glue dries
  • Thread one side of ribbon through a jingle bell; knot, repeat at 2” intervals
  • Knot again
  • Repeat on other side of ribbon, leaving at least 1” border
  • Trim ends of ribbon
  • Toss!
On A Roll

On a Roll. The simplest cat toy of all can be made in under five minutes, yet may entertain your cat for hours.

What you'll need:

  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • Scissors

Steps:

  • Cut a 1.5”-long slit on one end of the roll
  • Cut another slit 1/4” away from it
  • Repeat all around the roll
  • Do the same on the other end
  • Bend strips up a 90-degree angle so they look like spokes on a wheel
  • Roll!
Upholstered Cat Bed

Upholstered Cat Bed. With so many cool new toys to play with, your cat may need a nap. Make a cozy spot that’s hers alone.

What you'll need:

  • Shallow, corrugated cardboard box big enough to fit a cat
  • 1"-thick foam to use as base cut to dimensions of the bottom of the box (when measuring foam, subtract 1/2” from length and width)
  • Plush material to cover foam (add 3” to length and width measurements)
  • Staple gun

Steps:

  • Lay material upside down on flat surface
  • Place foam atop material
  • Fold material over edge of foam
  • Staple all around
  • Flip over
  • Remove flaps from the cardboard box
  • Insert upholstered cushion
  • Locate box away from foot traffic
  • Sprinkle a little catnip on the bed
  • Drop in one of your cat’s new toys
  • Wish kitty happy holidays in her new home.