We show our feline friends we love them every day, but Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to do something extra special. There are lots of ways we can show our cats even more appreciation on this day of love including giving treats (in moderation of course!), and spending time with them. However, giving a handmade present has an extra feeling of love, and our 5 DIY cat toys add the purr-fect personal touch!
1. Heart-shaped felt toy
Play is an important activity for cats, as it’s great for their mental and physical health. A homemade cat toy not only brings fun to playtime, but it also gives an opportunity for your kitty to use their natural prey drive that every cat has.
This DIY toy only requires felt, a needle, and some thread. All it takes is a few simple steps:
- Find a pattern online and print it out, then cut your felt pieces to size.
- Stitch halfway along the top and the two sides of the felt.
- Fill the felt with catnip and you can also add some stuffing.
- Sew the rest of the felt shut and add any extra decorations, and voila!
2. Cat scratch door hanger
Cats love scratching, so what better gift for your furry friend than a new, handmade scratching toy? Scratching is a great activity for cats because it helps with exercise, nail care, communication, and allows them to mark their territory. This DIY idea is a super easy way to make a cat toy, as it only requires a couple materials and steps:
- Take a hot glue gun and glue some sisal rope to a wooden board.
- Then drill two holes in the top of the board and attach some rope to hang it.
- You can then add an extra finish with some pom-poms, and your cat’s brand-new scratching post is ready to be enjoyed.
3. Feather wand toy
This cat enrichment DIY toy lets you bond with your cat and is a great training opportunity too. Rod toys allow you to interact and bond with them during playtime while still keeping some distance, which teaches your kitty how to play appropriately.
To make this homemade cat toy, follow these steps:
- Glue your craft feathers to a piece of cord and secure the other end to a wooden baton.
- Make a hole in the baton and tie the cord through the hole, or you can secure it with strong tape.
- Depending on your cat’s taste, you could also attach a material fish shape filled with catnip, like our first DIY, and attach that to the end of the cord instead!
4. Toilet roll puzzle feeder
This next toy is a great DIY mental stimulation for your cat that’s simply made from a toilet roll tube! Puzzle feeders provide mental and physical stimulation for your cat as well as mimic the natural way cats would eat in the wild.
To make this puzzle feeder:
- Place holes in the side of the roll that are big enough for kibble or a treat to come out.
- Place the kibble or treats inside and bend over the toilet roll ends.
Your cat can then use their paws to move the toilet roll tube around, which allows the food pieces to fall out. This creates an easy-to-make cat enrichment DIY that will keep your cat busy!
5. Cardboard box hide-and-seek toy
The last homemade cat toy is again simple to make but very effective. This hide-and-seek toy is made completely out of a cardboard box or boxes.
- Start by placing some treats or ball toys into your medium to a large cardboard box, then tape the box shut so everything inside is secure.
- Next, cut out some circular holes in the top of the cardboard box and repeat this several times to give your cat access to the toys or treats inside.
Then their hide-and-seek toy is ready for playtime!
Remember, when making these DIY cat toys, make sure to check that there are no loose small parts that could be a hazard or cause an injury. Otherwise, we hope your kitty loves their Valentine’s Day gift!
If you’d like to know about more cat enrichment DIY crafts, check out all our other fantastic blogs online! Or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’ll be delighted to share all the insights we can. And while you’re here, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all our latest news, articles, and products.