Crazy cats! (DIY Cat Toys)

Member Name: FourPaws

Product:	DIY Cat Toys
Date:	08/09/07 (156 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, fun to watch your cat play with them, all made from items you would normally chuck away

Disadvantages: Could be dangerous if you don't supervise usage

My cat Jet isn't much of a''player'', he much prefers to lounge around in the sun or have a little wander around the neighbourhood. However, most evenings after I have called him in for the night he has his mad ten minutes charging round the house at full speed playing with his toys.

If any of you have read my 'Cats in general' review you will know that I'm not really a cat person and I only took Jet in after he was abandoned, despite not knowing the first thing about keeping cats! At the time I didn't really think of buying cat toys as I thought cats went out and amused themselfs however as time went on and I noticed Jet trying to play with a few of the dogs toys so I decieded to have a look around for toys for him. I went to the pet shop the next day and got him a toy mouse and a little ball with a bell in it, later that night when Jet had his mad moment he loved 'hunting' the mouse and chasing the ball around.. but over time the two toys got lost and instead of replacing them I looked around my house for things to keep Jet occupied.

Here are some ideas that I tried, and Jet loves them:

Get a small, clean sheet of kitchen foil and scrunch it up into a ball, cats are attractive to the shiny surface and it makes a lightweight ball to cats to hit around and carry.

Jet loves the cardboard inners of toilet rolls, he pounces on them and then 'kills' them but ripping them to bits with his teeth! Makes a bit of a mess but great, cheap fun for your cat.

String! The old favourite! My dog Ruby will hold a piece in her mouth and then run round the house with Jet running behind her chasing the string trailing on the floor.

One of the routes I walk with my dogs is right next to a golf course and we often find balls that have been hit over the fence, my dogs often carry a couple home with them but then lose all intrest in them once back at home. Jet however, loves them! He'll nudge them around the slidly wooden floor in the lounge pouncing in all directions trying to catch them.

Cereal boxes. Jet is around 4 years old but is still tiny and looks like a young kitten. When the cereal boxes are empty I sello-tape the tops back up and then cut a square out off the front on the box, Jet will then climb inside and stick his head out of the cut-out square. This toy may only work with kittens or small cats like Jet.

The next toy is a bit odd, it was discovered one Sunday whilst I was cooking the roast dinner.. In a bit of a rush to get it all ready before my guests arrived I dropped a carrot on the floor, and before I could bend down to pick it up Jet had appeared from no where and stole it! Following him into the lounge I saw him standing there holding this little carrot in his mouth like a dog, he then started to roll it around the floor with his paw before settling down to have a good old chew on it! He now gets a carrot every now and then as a special toy and treat! Strange little cat is my Jet..!

In my house, I have spring door stops that attach to the wall to stop the door banging on the wall.. and Jet has discovered how much fun they are if he lays there pinging them with his paws!

All the next toy needs is a bit of sunshine and a watch! Once morning I was reading the newspaper, the sun shining through the window. From the corner of my eye I could see Jet darting randomly around the room but thinking he was just having one of his mad moments I left him to it! It took me some time to realise he was chasing the reflection that my watch face was making when he sun reflected off it on to the floor!

Last but no least, empty cotton reels..simple yet so much fun!

Use your imagination when making toys for your cat, I haven't got shop brought toys for Jet in a couple of years now, he is much happier playing with the ones I make for him, and I'm happy too because they are all nice and cheap! Just make sure you supervise your cat when playing with homemade toys and check they have no removable parts which you cat could choke on!

Summary: Great, entertaining toys for your cats.. and they're cheap!