If you're a pet parent who's also a human parent, you already know that your pet loves your kids' toys. But did you know that once your child outgrows their playthings, you can easily repurpose them into fun, fabulous homemade cat toys?
Your home is a gold mine of potential DIY cat toys! Begin by surveying your toy collection with a fresh eye. What can you safely turn into a new toy for your kitty? Stuffed animals are a good start, and your feline friend already has a keen interest in them. Cut off any long whiskers, plastic eyes, and other hazardous materials, and you're good to go!
As Vetstreet points out, it's important to keep safety concerns in mind when transforming kids' toys into pet toys. "With plush toys," it warns, "avoid fillings such as polystyrene beads, nutshells, or beans." You also need to be mindful of batteries (always remove them) and materials such as ribbons, strings, yarn, or feathers, because they can harm your cat if ingested.
Also, avoid giving your cat wooden toys, especially ones that are painted. Cats are chewers and could ingest wood splinters or paint, neither of which is good for their health.
Cats also love anything round, so let them have full access to any old sports balls lying around the home. But, be sure that none of them are small enough to be ingested. Indoor play tents are another good idea and make great sleeping nooks or hiding places for a sneaky cat.
Other DIY repurposed toy ideas include the following:
Cat Scratching Post Add-On
Bring new life to your cat's worn-out scratching post using interactive highchair toys, which are designed to keep a little one's interest and help develop motor skills. These toys function the same way for kitties. Attach the toy so that its base is flush with the side of the post, then tightly secure with strong twine, trimming any excess string so your cat can't nibble on it.
Tasty Tips
Cat Puzzle Box
Homemade cat toys such as puzzle boxes are a great way to repurpose lots of different"pull-right" kids' toys. This idea calls for large-sized plastic building blocks (do not use any blocks small enough to fit in a cat's mouth) that hide in even the most remote corners of your living space. In addition to the blocks, you'll need a sturdy cardboard shoebox and a box cutter. Cut holes on the top and sides of the box, large enough so that your cat can see the colourful blocks inside and fit their paw through to grab at them. Leave the box top unsecured so that you can easily change out the toys (again, all toys should be larger than the cat's mouth and shouldn't contain any materials hazardous to your cat) and, for extra fun, sprinkle in some catnip.
Repurposing kids' toys into DIY cat toys is a great way to reduce clutter and waste and give playthings nine more lives.
Image source: Christine O'Brien
Related products
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Dry Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food with Chicken is formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur, keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Wet Cat Food with Turkey is a complete pet food for adult cats, aged 1–6 years. This highly digestible wet food comes in a pouch and supports healthy digestion, as well as nourishes skin and promotes a thick and lustrous coat.
Sterilised Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sterilised Adult Dry Cat Food with Salmon has a unique weight management formula to help burn fat, build muscle and keep sterilised cats lean. Made with high-quality, easy-to-digest ingredients.
Light Adult Cat Food
Chicken recipe dry cat food with L-carnitine and fewer calories for ideal weight management in adult cats. Packed with high-quality protein, omega-6s, and vitamin E for shiny fur and healthy skin.
Related articles
Hill's Cat Foods: A Healthy Choice for Your Cat
Selecting the right food for your kitten is a key to quality nutrition and a long, healthy life. Learn more about how to select the right kitten food.
Hill's Cat Foods: Nutritional Balance Just for Indoor Cats
Find the right Hill
Cats Need Good Nutrition In Order To Stay Healthy
Good nutrition is about the right balance of nutrients. Learn more about health issues when feeding a cat food that has an improper nutritional balance from your friends at Hills Pet Nutrition.
How Often Should You Feed A Cat?
Feeding time can be a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your cat. Find out how to make the most of it and create a healthy habit with HIll's Pet UK.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.