The complete guide to raising a kitten: Part 6 – really easy DIY cat toys to keep your feline entertained

September 02, 2019

There’s no greater joy than coming home after a long, hard day’s work and falling into the tender paws of your beloved cat, but did you ever wonder what they do while you’re away?

Are they bored senseless? Or too busy sharpening their nails on the side of your couch? We hate bored cats almost as much as we hate ruining perfectly good couches, so to prevent both of these tragedies we’ve come up with some easy, crafty ways to keep your cat entertained while you’re away – using only simple household items.

Get your craft glue out and cats at the ready, people!

1. Toilet roll treats

Purrfect for the lazy crafters among us, this stimulation toy has your cat working for their treats. All you need is an empty toilet roll, a tasty cat treat and your nimble fingers.

Placing the treat inside the toilet roll, fold the ends of the roll to encase the treat. Then simply let your brainy fluff ball figure out how to get to their supper!

Giving empty toilet rolls a second use and your cat a way to exercise their obviously enormous brain – it’s a no-brainer!

2. Egg carton hide-n-seek

We’re paw-sitive your pussycat will be a big fan of this one! Grab yourself an empty cardboard egg carton, some of your cat’s favourite foodie treats and one bored cat. Place the treats in the egg carton and watch in amazement as your cat spends hours figuring out how to reach their snacks.

It’s best not to expect your egg carton to come back in one piece, but your feline will be felin’ fine – that’s a definite win.

3. Pipe cleaner boxing bag

Does your kitty have excess energy they need to get out in a constructive manner? The simplest of tricks is to attach a colourful pipe cleaner above their bed and enjoy the frenzy of uppercuts your boxing champion puss delivers.

A fun way to keep them entertained and happy while you’re occupied, the pipe cleaner trick is hours of fun for your athletic puddycat – meow-ficent!

4. Toilet roll-y poly

This is a recipe for feline entertainment success, so listen up! Take one empty toilet roll, one pair of scissors and one seriously bored cat.

Cut the toilet roll into three or four circle strips. Place one across the other and repeat the process until you have yourself a small cardboard ball. Place a bell, treat or a touch of catnip inside the ball and let your cat have at it.

A fun craft project for you and an even better toy for your fur-babe!

5. Shoe string chasey

The best way to keep your couches and shoelaces safe from the prying claws of your kitty is to tie a long piece of string to a chair leg. If your cat packs a punch, try reinforcing the string by plaiting several pieces into one.

This claw-some game is the ultimate way to keep kitty occupied and entertained on a shoestring – literally!

These five helpful cat toy tricks are the best way to keep your feline happy, occupied and stimulated in the long hours of each working day. Help alleviate your working parent’s guilt by giving your kitty the best chance at a fun day without you – your couch will thank you.

Don’t forget to post a photo of your crafty cat toy creations on Facebook or Instagram and tag us at @rspcasa and #rspcasa we’d love to see what you come up with!

This post is part of our comprehensive guide to raising a kitten – to make sure you’ve covered all bases, head over here for the other posts in the series.


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2 thoughts on “The complete guide to raising a kitten: Part 6 – really easy DIY cat toys to keep your feline entertained”

  1. Carolyn Holloway

    Thankyou for the great toy tricks, they are great! I love my babies more than life itself. They never want for anything, even if they sneeze its off to the vet. They are my life. I would like to start a regular donation to help your cats and kittens, in anyway I can. I will be in touch with you very soon. Cats are the most incredible creatures on this planet. I am so glad the new laws against animal cruelty have come in. The scum who abuse any animal should do jail time.

    1. Thank you so much for your support and kind words, Carolyn – and thank you for being such an amazing cat owner! Our cats and kittens would be so grateful for your help :)

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