If you're a pet parent who's also a human parent, you already know that your fur baby loves your kid's toys. But did you know that once your child outgrows his or her playthings, you can easily repurpose them into fun, fabulous homemade cat toys?
Your home is a gold mine of potential DIY cat toys! Begin by surveying your toy collection with a fresh eye. What can you safely turn into a new toy for your kitty? Stuffed animals are a good start, and your feline friend already has a keen interest in them. Cut off any long whiskers, plastic eyes, and other hazardous materials, and you're good to go!
As Vetstreet points out, it's important to keep safety concerns in mind when transforming kids' toys into pet toys. "With plush toys," it warns, "avoid fillings such as polystyrene beads, nutshells, or beans." You also need to be mindful of batteries (always remove them) and materials such as ribbons, strings, yarn, or feathers, because they can harm your cat if ingested.
Also, avoid giving your cat wooden toys, especially ones that are painted. Cats are chewers and could ingest wood splinters or paint, neither of which is good for her health.
Cats also love anything round, so let her have full access to any old sports balls lying around the home. But, be sure that none of them are small enough to be ingested. Indoor play tents are another good idea and make great sleeping nooks or hiding places for a sneaky cat.
Other DIY repurposed toy ideas include the following:
Cat Scratching Post Add-On
Bring new life to your cat's worn-out scratching post using interactive highchair toys, which are designed to keep a little one's interest and help develop his motor skills. These toys function the same way for kitties. Attach the toy so that its base is flush with the side of the post, then tightly secure with strong twine, trimming any excess string so your cat can't nibble on it.
Tasty Tips
Fast Food Toy Cat Teaser
More than likely, you have in your home a stash of small, plush animals from various fast food restaurants. Instead of donating or selling them at a garage sale, pass them on to your furry friend. With strong twine, wrap the animal securely around the end of a wooden dowel, and you'll have hours of fun with your kitty! The animals also work well as replacements for store-bought cat teasers. Because this toy contains a string, supervise your cat while she plays with the teaser, and keep it out of her reach when you're done.
Cat Puzzle Box
Homemade cat toys such as puzzle boxes are a great way to repurpose lots of different"pull-right" kids' toys. This idea calls for large-sized plastic building blocks (do not use any blocks small enough to fit in a cat's mouth) that hide in even the most remote corners of your living space. In addition to the blocks, you'll need a sturdy cardboard shoebox and a box cutter. Cut holes on the top and sides of the box, large enough so that your cat can see the colorful blocks inside and fit her paw through to grab at them. Leave the box top unsecured so that you can easily change out the toys (again, all toys should be larger than the cat's mouth and shouldn't contain any materials hazardous to your fur baby) and, for extra fun, sprinkle in some catnip.
Repurposing kids' toys into DIY cat toys is a great way to reduce clutter and waste and give playthings nine more lives.
Image source: Christine O'Brien
Related products
Adult Tender Tuna Dinner Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Beef Dinner
Gourmet daily nutrition, carefully made. Tasty chunks with chicken & beef in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Adult Chicken & Spinach Casserole Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Adult 7+ Tender Tuna Dinner Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Related articles
How Treat-Dispensing Toys Keep Your Cat Active
Are you looking to get your cat more active? Does she constantly look bored? Then you may want to consider using a food-dispensing (also known as treat-dispensing) cat toy, which provides both physical and mental stimulation during snack times.
Helpful Tips for Controlling Your Cat's Hairballs
Fun Games for Exercising Your Cat
Discover which cat toys games your feline friend might like, and how they are great sources of exercise. Explore our library of articles to learn more.
The Proper Nutritional Balance Your Cat Needs
Good nutrition is about the right balance of nutrients. Learn more about health issues when feeding a cat food that has an improper nutritional balance from your friends at Hills Pet Nutrition.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.