Making toys for cats with your own hands: 3 step-by-step lessons

It is no secret for happy cat owners that some time after a furry pet has settled in the house, it ceases to be just an animal and becomes a full-fledged member of the family. You shouldn’t fight the desire to please your pet not only with treats, but also with cute toys. In addition, some of them are not only entertaining, but also practical. In this article we will tell you how to make different toys that your cat will surely like at minimal cost.

Step by step lesson #1

Soft stuffed mice are classic toys for cats. They will delight not only your cat, but also yourself if you make them from bright fabric with a cheerful pattern.

You will need:

various fabrics - wool, cotton, corduroy. Old men's clothing (worn shirts, cardigans, etc.) works well;
iron;
interlining for applications;
sewing machine and sewing accessories;
padding material (sintepon, batting);
decorative threads;
prepared and printed pattern;

First, cut out one bottom piece and one side piece—you can cut them from the same fabric or use different ones. Then flip the side piece template over and cut out the second one. In order to make a tail for the mouse, cut a strip of fabric 2.5x10 cm - the strip should not be rectangular, but with inclined edges, as in the picture.

Then you need to cut out the ears. Place the pieces of fabric prepared for making the ears on the wrong side of each other, placing interlining between the pieces, and following the manufacturer's instructions, iron them. After this, cut out the blanks for the ears from the resulting double-sided pieces.

Fold the ponytail in half lengthwise, face to face, fasten with a seam, leaving an allowance of 5-6 mm, leaving the ends of the strip unsewn. Turn the tail out. Then fasten the parts of the mouse's body, placing them right sides together, and sew, leaving allowances of 5-6 mm and leaving a hole on the back of the mouse of approximately 2-2.5 cm in order to stuff the toy.

Turn the resulting workpiece inside out and fill it with padding material. Insert the ponytail into the hole, sew the hole closed with a hidden seam, and tie the tip of the ponytail into a knot.

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Fold the ear pieces in half and carefully sew them to the body of the mouse by hand using small stitches. The eyes and nose of the mouse can be made with a stitch and black thread.

Master class No. 3

The toys that we invite you to make in this master class are quite simple to make and require very little time, skills and material.

You will need:

a piece of felt;
a little catnip;
embroidery threads;
needle;
scissors;
unnecessary remnants of rustling objects - bags, films, etc.;
any little things for decoration - decorative threads, braid, etc.

Just be prepared for the fact that if you're making toys for your furry pet, a curious cat can destroy the unattended materials in a matter of seconds, especially when he becomes interested in the catnip you have stored.

So, when you are sure that your workspace is safe, cut out two pieces of the same shape from felt. The shape and color of the fabric is at your discretion. Sew several strips of felt of a different color to the cut out pieces as decoration. There is no need to make the stripes too neat - after all, this is just a cat's toy.

The next step is to decorate with embroidery thread. So we will make something similar to a multi-colored feather.

Once you start to like the look, start stuffing the catnip.

To begin, sew the two parts of the toy together, leaving a gap on one side. Place a little catnip into the hole - try not to put too much, so that the toy can be easily sewn up and there is no chance that the cat will tear the threads with its claws and teeth. You may also want to put some rustling objects inside so that the toy makes a sound and the cat likes it even more.

Ready! Experiment with shapes and colors and don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild.

If you often find yourself in the mood to play with your pet in person, then you cannot do without a shiny cat toy on a stick. Why not use your imagination here too and use a real, beautiful and intricate toy instead of an old candy wrapper on a string? You will need:

felt;
embroidery threads;
cat mint;
padding material;
wooden or metal stick;
various shiny little things for decoration (sequins, pompoms, etc. that come to hand);

We will need diamond-shaped parts. To make them, first draw two small equilateral triangles on paper - the length of each side should be approximately 6-7 cm. Draw them so that they have one common side - you get a rhombus. Cut out a shape from paper and use it as a pattern. For one toy you need two of these parts. Fold the resulting diamonds into a pyramid, as shown in the figure.

Starting from the tip, start stitching the parts. As you move along each side, your toy will become voluminous. When you are almost done sewing it up, leave a small hole and stuff it with the prepared padding material. Add some catnip inside.

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After this, you can start decorating the stick. The stick is not mandatory, but if you want to make the toy more interesting, then attach the free end of the thread to the stick - you need to wrap the thread around the end of the stick several times, tie it in a knot, and then glue a small piece of felt around it - for beauty and strength.

DIY cat toys

Candy toy

Cut a small piece from the paper core.

Use a thread to pull the rustling paper.

Toy made from a regular bottle

Every home has an empty plastic drink bottle. We wash it, dry it, and wipe it dry.

Toy out of the box

Safety

Attention!
When you get carried away with the game, you can easily forget about safety. When creating toys, it is important to remember that if there is active contact with the part, the cat can get hurt, so there should not be any sharp corners or objects, and the stuffing should not stick out from the toy.

Also, the toy cannot be coated with chemically active compounds, since the animal is likely to put it in its mouth and try to chew it. All threads and seams must be created in such a way that the cat cannot tear them.

With some toys it is better not to leave the pet alone, using only group games with the owner from which the pussy will be delighted.

Top ideas

Toys can be simple to make, such as balls or pencils on strings, or complex. For example, you can create an interactive toy with your own hands that will not only allow your cat to enjoy outdoor games, but also develop its intellectual abilities.

Attention!
A variety of soft toys, rattles and mazes will also delight the playful hunter, brightening up her leisure time. In addition, the pet needs to relax somewhere, because it can start playing with your hands. Making them is not at all difficult; any kind of improvised materials will do.

Soft

How to sew a mouse (with a pattern)?

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

Scissors
Iron
Laces
Threads
Needles
Pattern
Textile
Beads
cotton wool

To create a mouse, you will need a special template, according to which you need to cut a pattern from the fabric. If you choose fabric of different textures and colors, it will be much more interesting for the animal.

Tail. Cut out a bunch of fabric measuring 2.5 x 10 cm. Or use a simple piece of lace.
Ears. Cut a small piece of fabric into a triangular shape, then pin the side corners together.
Corpuscle. We sew two pieces of fabric from the templates along the edge, stuffing cotton wool or synthetic padding inside. Any soft filler will do. Sew up the rest of the template.
Completion. When all the parts are ready, all that remains is to assemble the toy by sewing on the necessary parts. For the eyes, you can use regular beads and glue them in place. Tie the ponytail with a knot at the end for beauty. The mouse toy is ready!

Puppet toy

An easy to make but interesting puppet toy is another entertainment option for your pet. To make it you will need a regular toy with filling, a stick and glue.

Reference!
If the toy is ready, then it is enough to slightly cut the edge of the toy, insert a stick there, and securely glue the ends of the material to the stick. It is important that the filler does not come out of the toy. At the same time, its excess, if any, should be removed.

Pompom for a kitten

This entertainment option is ideal for kittens of any age. To make a pompom you will need: fabric, string, scissors. Take two small pieces of fabric of different colors.

Cut them into strips of equal size. Gather them into a bun and fold them several times. Tie tightly with a string in the middle and secure with a knot. Spread the strips in different directions. Tie a long string or strip of fabric to the finished product to play with the kitten.

Scented toy

A fragrant toy is another fun option for your pet. The special aroma of catnip will attract her to the product. Consumables:

Textile
Scissors
Needle and thread
Cat mint
Packet scraps

The toy can have absolutely any shape, for example in the form of a cube, a mouse or a fish. Sew a pattern from the desired template. Place some rustling material inside, such as torn pieces of bags.

Place catnip inside and sew up the finished product. It is important that the cutting area is not visible; it is best to use internal stitches, otherwise the animal will tear the toy apart in search of a tasty smell.

Rattles

In nature, cats rely heavily on sound. That is why creating a rattle toy will be a good fun option for your pet.

You will need any small plastic container. Beads and other sound-producing objects, tape or glue, lid. Place bells and other small parts inside a clean plastic container. If there are labels on it, they should be removed. The surface of the toy must be smooth and clean.

Cover the top with a lid or other object and glue tightly or wrap with tape. You can paint the item in a bright color so that it attracts the animal's attention. The rattle is ready!

Interactive toys: what are they?

Interactive toys for pets have become especially popular recently. They represent a kind of puzzle that the cat must solve in order to receive a treat. They look different, in the form of all possible labyrinths or traps, tubes or boxes with holes.

Their only task is to force the cat to solve the problem in a logical way. This is presented in the form of a fun game. Since cats are inquisitive and inquisitive animals, they happily take on a new task. You can buy such a toy at a pet store or make it yourself using your imagination.

One of the popular types of interactive toys is a labyrinth. To create it you will need all the available tools that can serve as an obstacle for the cat, as well as tape to connect them together.

It is most convenient to use pieces of plywood and planks, large cardboard boxes. A treat hidden in an egg container, a plastic cup or other small container is suitable as bait.

Mini ball with protection

A simple but interesting toy for cats.

Letting your cat play with regular balls or spools can be dangerous as he may choke on the threads. Therefore, we propose to slightly modernize this option for entertaining a cat. Roll the threads into a medium-density ball, leaving one end free. Then wrap the ball in regular foil. Cats love its rustling and soft shine.

Sweetie

The candy is made from affordable materials that can be found in almost every home. To work you will need:

paper towel or toilet paper roll;
a piece of corrugated (or any other rustling) paper;
threads

Manufacturing instructions:

1. Cut a small piece of paper and tie it with thread to make a bow. Cut a ring 2-3 cm wide from the sleeve.

2. Insert a bow into a paper ring.

This toy is more suitable for kittens who love to play with rustling paper.

Cats of any age benefit from playing with various objects for at least 20 minutes a day. Play will help active animals calm down and develop overwhelming energy; calm pets will be forced to move and strengthen their muscles.

Making a cat toy yourself will take from one minute to several days. The main thing is that it should be made from natural (with rare exceptions) materials, be interesting and safe.

The second life of the remains of water pipes

DIY toy made from PVC pipes.

You can make a do-it-yourself cat toy from leftover water pipes. You just need to connect them using corner elements, which are sold at any hardware store. You will also need to cut holes in the pipes slightly larger than a cat’s paw, and put various little things inside. The cat will try to get them.

Air feathers

An excellent option that will diversify your favorite pet’s leisure time.

You will need a paper towel roll, several multi-colored feathers, rope, and tape.

We make several holes in the sleeve.
Carefully thread the feathers through them.
Secure with tape.

The finished toy should be hung by a string at some distance from the floor, but so that the pet can reach it. The slightest breath of breeze will move the feathers. This will definitely interest your pet and entertain him.

Soft pompoms

Pom-poms are classic toys for cats.

Pompoms on a string are the favorite toy of many cats, which they do not get tired of for a long time. Ready-made toys can be hung on the doorknob so that the cat tries to get them.

Pompoms on the door are very attractive to cats.

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funny rattle

A simple and entertaining option is a rattle. You can chase it instead of a ball, toss it, or hunt for it. Such things are especially loved by little kittens who are just beginning to get acquainted with the world around them. One toy made from scrap materials will last a long time, and when it fails, it is easy to replace it with a new one.

This light and funny rattle is made from a Kinder Surprise container. An empty cylindrical plastic vitamin jar will also work. It needs to be rinsed and dried. Dry peas or any cereal are poured inside. The semolina creates a soft rustling sound, the beans tap, and the buckwheat clicks. To prevent the lid from opening, it can be additionally secured with tape. After this, the surface of the jar is smeared with glue and tightly wrapped with a rope made of jute or other similar material. It is important to use glue that is odorless, non-toxic and safe for animals . After drying, the toy can be hung on a ribbon. She will entertain a cat forced to remain alone for a long time. The toy perfectly trains hunting instincts.

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The rustling rattle can be tied with woolen threads. It is important that the plastic container is not too heavy, otherwise it will be difficult for the cat to chase it. A thick hook is used for tying; the work is done in single crochet stitches to make the covering dense. In this way, you can update any plastic or rubber ball, making it more attractive to your pet. The toy will remind your cat of a ball with which you can frolic all day long.

Making a sommelier out of a cat

Toys made from corks.

Cats love to play with wine corks because they are lightweight. You can simply give the cat a cork, but if you have some free time, make a more complex toy. For example, tie it with a crochet hook or attach bright feathers or ribbons.

This toy can become a cat's favorite.

Simple options

Sometimes there are no available materials nearby to create complex entertainment for the amusement of a cat. What to do then? The simplest, most common materials that can be found in any home are suitable for creating toys. Making simple toys does not require much time or expense, but it brings a lot of joy.

Corks, balls, balls, made of fabric

For playful cats, any objects that roll and attract the attention of predators are suitable. Ordinary corks, small ping pong balls, and various balls, both ringing and soft, may be useful. And of course, a ball of thread is one of the most fun things for a cat. In this case, the end of the ball must be tightly secured so that it does not roll out throughout the house. Fun fun will keep your pet busy for a long time.

From paper, bags

Plain paper can serve as a toy for your cat. You just need to crumple it up and tie it with a string, crushing it in the middle. The cat will be happy to chase a new toy. Large paper bags are also a favorite place for pet ponytails. If you throw some toy into them, then the pussy's delight will know no bounds. We recommend learning how you can make a paper house - here.

Sunny Bunnies - a simple interactive game

One of the most fun activities is available in summer, in sunny weather. All you have to do is take a small mirror and point it at the window. A bright highlight will appear on the wall - a sunbeam.

Reference!
Point the mirror in different directions and the cat will chase it with delight. Despite the prostate, this interactive game allows the animal to develop its hunting skills and logic.

Meter tape

If you have a regular measuring tape on hand, then you can safely pick it up. Cats love to play, chasing her throughout the apartment, putting on a whole show for their owners.

From the box

Large boxes are a great place for felines to play. Not only do they love to sleep in them, but they can also frolic very well, especially if you make holes in the box and throw a small rolling and ringing ball into it. It’s just as easy to build a cardboard house as this toy.

Pencils

An ordinary set of pencils can serve as a reason for active and fun fun. You just have to break off the leads before use so that your pussy doesn’t get hurt accidentally while playing. Throw pencils to your cat and watch him chase them, or tie a pencil on a string for some exciting fun.

Programs about animals, birds (with video!)

Many pet owners think that animals do not like to watch TV and do not take the images on it seriously. However, it is not. Experiment and turn on a program for your pussy about its closest relatives from the world of wildlife, and watch how it watches with surprise and delight what is happening on the monitor screen. Below you can find a video that you can play for your pet.

For needlewomen who are friends with a needle

You can sew a toy in a couple of minutes.

A person who knows how to use a needle can sew a simple toy for a cat in a couple of minutes. We recommend choosing fabrics of sufficient density, such as wool or felt.

Toy jellyfish for a cat.

Recycling corrugated cardboard

A DIY cat toy that even a child can make.

Corrugated cardboard, from which large boxes are made, is useful for creating toys for a cat. Cut a lot of circles out of it, make a small hole in the middle of each of them. Then string them onto a piece of lace, tying it into knots.

Mazes and puzzles

Flickr.com Educational toys are becoming increasingly popular among cat lovers.
These are labyrinths and puzzles with balls hidden inside, multi-level tracks, at the end of which the animal expects a prize: a mouse, a catnip ball, or some other thing. Such toys can occupy a cat's attention for a long time. This is a great way to entertain the animal while the owner is at work. But here, too, an important condition must be met - production must eventually become available.

The option with labyrinths and puzzles, in which the ball is locked tightly and the cat can only chase it inside without a chance to get it, is harmful to the mental health of the pet.

By the way, you can make such attractive toys yourself. For example, from cardboard boxes, cutting several holes in them into which a paw can fit. And cut plastic bottles connected with tape make an excellent labyrinth.

Bright shreds for a cat

If you put catnip inside the shreds, your cat will go crazy about them.

Cut the pieces into square shapes. Foam rubber, scraps of fabric, and thread are suitable for filling them. To make the bag arouse the cat's increased interest, you can put a little catnip inside it.

Rattles from boxes, toilet paper rolls and other items

Rattling and clinking trinkets always arouse cats' interest. The sound creates the feeling that the “prey” is alive, so the animal will try hard to catch it. How to make a rattle for a kitten at home?

The simplest rattling crafts are made from plastic containers from shoe covers and kinder surprises. They put cereals, peas or beads in them. Parts of the container are tightly closed and wrapped with electrical tape or tape. It is best to use cases with threads to prevent the kitten from opening the toy. You can put a dry treat or capsules with fish oil inside if there is a chance that the pet will still “deal with the prey.”

Cat fishing rod

DIY cat fishing rod.

A thin wooden stick, strong thread and strips of thin fabric are all you need to make a cat fishing rod. Fold the fabric overlapping and use a needle to thread the thread through the strips. Tie the free end of the thread around the stick.

When the issue of entertaining cats is resolved, a lot of free time is freed up. Why not spend it on improving the interior of your home? For example, check out 15 tricks that will turn a nursery into a child’s dream room.