Whether they\u2019re excitable kittens or serene older moggies, most cats love to play, but don’t think you have to buy expensive cat toys to keep them happy. Here are some tips from the charity Cats Protection on making cat toys at the fraction of the price of shop-bought ones <\/p>
Whether they\u2019re excitable kittens or serene older moggies, most cats love to play. And there\u2019s good reason for this \u2013 playing mimics the hunting instincts that cats have inherited from their ancestors, the African wildcat.<\/p>
Through play, cats can act out natural behaviours such as stalking and pouncing, which in turn releases feel-good hormones called endorphins. For owners, playing with our cats can be endlessly entertaining and is a great way to bond.<\/p>
The UK\u2019s biggest cat charity Cats Protection<\/a> shares its top tips for creating your own handmade cat toys and games for your favourite feline:<\/p> Cats love the opportunity to exercise their minds and use their natural hunting skills. You can make mealtimes more interesting by popping a portion of your cat\u2019s dry food into old, clean, eggboxes. Once your cat has mastered scooping out the food with their paw, you can build up the challenge by closing the lid or loosely wrapping the food in scrunched up paper hidden inside. Always give your cats a \u2018helping paw\u2019 and show your cat how to use it first to prevent frustration or boredom.<\/p> Catnip – otherwise known as catmint or\u00a0Nepeta Cataria<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 is a perennial herb renown for creating an ecstatic response in cats. While it doesn\u2019t affect all cats, roughly 50-70%, sniffing catnip can cause a notable reaction in some cats, who may spend several minutes rolling around in a state of pure bliss. If your cat loves it, you can make your own homemade toys with any old socks \u2013 simply pop in a couple of spoonfuls of dried catnip, securely knot the end and give to your cat to enjoy.<\/p> Fishing rod toys are a fantastic activity for cats young and old, and you can easily make your own. Tie a length of string to the end of a short wooden rod (a garden cane works well) and secure with heavy duty tape. Secure a small cat toy to the end of the string, adding some artificial feathers if you have any. Then simply dangle and drag to attract your cat\u2019s attention! Make sure your cat is able to catch the toy periodically, as cats can be left frustrated if they\u2019re unable to catch their \u201cprey\u201d. Ensure that fishing rod toys are safely out of the cat\u2019s reach once play time is over.<\/p>How to make cat toys<\/h2>
Eggbox puzzles<\/strong> make great cat toys<\/h3>
Catnip socks<\/strong> will keep them entertained<\/h3>
Fishing rod cat toy<\/strong> for endless fun<\/h3>