6 DIY cat toys to make for your pet

Social gatherings can be an unsettling time for your cat. Make special occasions and the festive season less stressful with these safe and easy homemade toys for cats.

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Cat toys aren’t just for kittens – given the opportunity, most adult cats love the chance to stalk, pounce and play with toys.

Offering your cat a variety of toy options for regular play sessions can help them stay healthy and happy. This is especially important for indoor cats who need mental stimulation and may not get as much exercise as cats that go outside, so could be more likely to gain weight.

Different cats often have different play styles, so while some cats might love catching a ball, others might prefer toys that encourage climbing or jumping. Enjoy experimenting with some of the best DIY enrichment toys for cats we’ve rounded up below, to find your feline’s favourite!

Bottle of crunchy treats

This simple toy is a great way to keep your cat entertained – and to recycle an empty plastic bottle!

How to make:

1. Wash and dry the bottle, removing all labels.
2. Using a sharp craft knife, cut four or five holes in the bottle in different places – the holes should be large enough to release pieces of kibble but small enough that your cat’s paws can’t go through or get stuck.
3. Put a teaspoon of crunchy treats inside the bottle and replace the lid.
4. Tie paper streamers around the neck of the bottle to catch your cat’s eye, then roll it along the floor – your cat will enjoy batting the bottle back and forth to release the treats.

You could even make some festive cat treats to go inside the bottle.

Fishing rod toy

Cats love to catch and chase, so this colourful rod is sure to become a favourite.

How to make:

1. Gather a selection of fabric scraps and cut them into chunky, ribbon-like strips – around 2cm wide by 20cm long, or use a bunch of feathers.
2. Holding the ends of the strips, stitch them together into a tassel with a needle and cotton.
3. To make the rod, use a thick wooden dowel or a garden cane (around 50cm long).
4. Cut a length of unbleached cotton twine – around 40-50cm in length – and wrap it around the end of the rod several times, securing it with some tape.
5. Tie the other end of the twine around your tassel several times, knotting it tightly.

Just watch as your cat jumps and chases the tassel, encouraging both exercise and bonding time together.

Cardboard treat holder

Recycle an empty toilet paper roll tube and make your pet happy at the same time – a great homemade toy for cats.

How to make:

1. Mark four lines around the cardboard roll, about 1.5cm apart.
2. Use a craft knife to cut along the lines and make four cardboard rings.
3. Push one ring into another ring, to create a cross shape, then insert the third and fourth rings at an angle – you should now have a looped cardboard ball.
4. If you wish, draw on a pattern with a non-toxic pen and tuck a couple of cat treats inside.

Your cat can have lots of fun patting it along the floor until the treat comes out – the perfect festive reward!

Kicker toy

You’ve likely seen your cat do the classic ‘bunny kick’ before, as they kick their back legs against something held in their front paws. Encourage this natural hunting behaviour and help keep them active with kick bag toys, the perfect homemade enrichment toys for cats.

How to make:

1. Fill an old sock with leftover fabric or scraps of paper.
2. Add a pinch of catnip.
3. Either sew or tie the sock at the top to secure it.

Throw the kicker toy across the floor for your cat to chase and pounce, before watching them grab and attack it.

Pouncing toy

As instinctive hunters, a cat’s eyes will be drawn to any moving toys that scurry along the floor like their prey. Some cats love small balls, while others prefer stuffed toy mice or birds to practise those pouncing instincts. Here's how to make a simple DIY cat toy for your pet to pounce on.

How to make:

1. Wrap some wool around a fork 50-60 times.
2. Tie some wool down the middle of the wool bundle.
3. Carefully slip it off and trim the edges on both sides.

Chuck your bundle onto the floor near your cat to watch them pounce on it. Don’t be surprised if you see your cat trotting along with their toy after they’ve ‘caught’ it!

Scratching toy

If your cat is clawing the furniture, you can make them a scratching toy instead.

How to make:

1. Source a 3cm x 8cm x 60cm piece of wood.
2. Use a hot glue gun to attach some vertical thread carpet tile to the board.
3. Secure the board in place on the edge of the sofa or bannister so that it doesn’t wobble or move. Ideally, this should be at a height where your cat needs to stretch up onto their tiptoes as this naturally mimics how cats prefer to scratch.

DIY enrichment toys for cats: further tips and ideas

Cats are territorial and feel most secure in familiar environments, so the unpredictable nature of special occasions and the festive season can leave them feeling unsettled. To keep your cat happy throughout the festive season, stick to regular feeding routines, make time for one-to-one play, and put your cat’s favourite toys, bedding and litter tray in a quiet, safe place.

Whichever toys your cat prefers, it’s a good idea to rotate these regularly so they don’t get bored. While buying toys can become expensive, most felines appreciate a homemade toy just as much. Go old-school and scrunch a piece of paper into a ball for your cat to bat around the house, or recycle household items to make your own DIY cat puzzle toys.

At its simplest, this could mean scattering dry food into an empty egg box for your cat to scoop out, or filling a cardboard box with leaves, sprinkling in some treats and letting them enjoy a treasure hunt.

Always remember safety first – supervise your pet when playing with any toy, in case parts come loose or break.

For advice on keeping your cat safe and happy during Christmas and other festivities, speak to your vet. Alternatively, owners with a Petplan cat insurance policy can access our Pet Expert Chat. Simply log into your My Petplan account and go to MySupport for tips and advice.