Keeping cats busy DIY: Creative ideas for making things yourself

Is your cat often alone at home and seems bored?
Many cat owners are familiar with the problem that their cats do not have enough activity, especially if they are not allowed to go outside.

With homemade cat toys, you can not only entertain your cat, but also playfully promote its cognitive and hunting skills.
In this article, we'll show you how to make exciting toys yourself using simple household items - from food rolls to puzzles.

Homemade cat toys: simple ideas to copy

Cats are naturally curious and playful, so it's a great idea to offer them homemade toys that stimulate their senses and keep them occupied. Using some simple materials you probably already have at home, you can make a variety of toys that are both safe and fun. From simple string games to more complex puzzles, the possibilities are almost endless.

Homemade cat toys not only offer a cost-effective alternative to store-bought toys, but also allow you to tailor the toys specifically to your cat's preferences. Whether your cat prefers to hunt, climb, or explore, you can create toys that match these natural behaviors. Plus, you can ensure that the materials used are safe and non-toxic.

Another benefit of DIY cat toys is that you can change the toys regularly to ensure your cat always has new stimuli. Constantly changing the toys will keep your cat mentally stimulated and prevent boredom. Start with simple projects and then experiment with more creative and challenging toys depending on how your cat responds.

Natural cat toys: ideas with wood and more

Natural materials like wood are great for making safe and eco-friendly cat toys. Wooden toys can be as simple as small pieces of wood with holes for exploring, or more complex designs like small climbing frames or balance beams. These toys take advantage of the cat's natural instincts for climbing and balancing.

Besides wood, you can also use other natural materials, such as sisal rope or felt balls, which are safe for your cat and will attract their attention. Make sure all parts are firmly connected to ensure safety. You can also use natural dyes to make the toy more visually appealing without endangering your cat's health.

Safety First: Recognize Dangers of DIY Cat Toys

When making cat toys, you need to make sure that all materials are safe and do not pose a risk of injury. Avoid sharp edges, small parts that can be swallowed, or toxic substances. It is also important to regularly check the condition of the toy and replace it if it shows signs of wear to avoid risks such as choking or intestinal blockages.

Some specific dangers to avoid are:

• Long cords or straps that may pose a strangulation hazard.
• Small parts that can easily be swallowed.
• Materials that can splinter or break, such as certain plastics or thin wood.

Supervise your cat while playing with new toys to make sure they are safe and fun.

Make your own brain teasers: Mental challenges for your cat

To encourage your cat's intelligence , you can easily make your own thinking games . A simple game is hiding treats in a box with holes. Your cat has to use its paw skillfully to get to the reward. This promotes its dexterity and keeps it mentally active.

You can also make a puzzle board yourself. For this you need a stable base and various small containers or tubes in which you put treats:

• Use toilet paper rolls or small boxes.
• Place the containers so that your cat has to use his paws and dexterity to reach the treats.
• Make sure that everything is safe and stable so that your furry friend does not get hurt.

Another exciting brain game is the treat maze . Create a trail of treats that leads to a grand prize hidden under an upside-down cup or small box. This game not only stimulates your cat's sense of smell, but also their problem-solving skills as they try to get to the hidden treats.

DIY food rolls: fun and treats in one

A great way to keep your cat busy is to make food rolls out of empty toilet paper rolls . These simple DIY toys are not only entertaining but also educational for your cat. You can make some holes in the empty toilet paper rolls so that small amounts of dry food will fall through when the cat moves the roll.

Here are a few simple steps to make a food roll:

• Take an empty toilet paper roll and make several small holes in it.
• Fill the roll with a little dry food.
• Close the ends of the roll slightly so that the food does not fall out immediately.

Your cat will have fun trying to get the kibble out, while also being mentally and physically challenged.

Make your own rummaging box: Instinctive activity for cats

Making a rummaging box is a simple and effective way to keep your cat busy. All you need is an old cardboard box and some natural materials. Fill the box with plain paper, leaves, twigs and non-toxic flowers. These materials will stimulate your cat's natural instincts and ensure long-lasting fun.

After you have filled the box with the materials, hide some treats in it. This encourages the cat's natural search behavior. You can change the contents of the rummaging box regularly to ensure variety and to keep your cat interested.

Activities for outdoor cats: Safe outdoor play

Outdoor cats enjoy the freedom of the outdoors, but it's important that they can play safely. You can build simple play structures that allow your cat to explore their surroundings without straying too far from home. Some ideas include:

• A small obstacle course made of natural materials such as branches or stones.
• A simple climbing structure or tree house made specifically safe for cats.

These play structures not only encourage your cat's physical activity, but also their mental skills as they encourage exploration and small problem solving. Make sure all structures are stable and safe to avoid injury. This way your cat can enjoy free running while remaining in a controlled and safe environment.

With Flappie and DIY projects to a happy cat

Flappie offers an innovative solution to keep your cat safe and prey-free while enjoying the freedom to go outside. Flappie 's smart cat flap uses a camera and AI technology to detect whether your cat comes home alone or with prey. This technology perfectly complements DIY play projects as it ensures your cat doesn't bring unwanted guests while playing outside.

By combining the Flappie cat flap with your homemade toys, you can create a complete and safe play environment for your cat. Visit https://flappie.ch to learn more about this smart solution and how you can keep your home prey-free and safe. This will keep your home clean and your cat happy and occupied.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I keep my cat busy?

You can keep your cat busy with homemade toys that stimulate their senses and challenge them mentally and physically. For example, you can make food rolls out of empty toilet paper rolls or fill a rummaging box with natural materials in which they can search for hidden treats. Brain games in which they have to fish treats out of small containers also keep them active and occupied.

How can I really tire out my cat?

To really tire out your cat, you can build homemade outdoor play structures, such as small obstacle courses or climbing structures made from natural materials. These not only encourage physical activity, but also mental skills in your cat. You can also create toys that appeal to their hunting instincts, such as string games or moving objects that they can chase.

What can you make for your cat?

You can make many different toys for your cat. Some ideas are food rolls made from empty toilet paper rolls, thinking games such as puzzle boards or treat mazes, and natural toys made from wood or sisal rope. A rummaging box filled with unprinted paper and natural materials is also a good way to keep your cat occupied. You can easily adapt these toys to your cat's preferences and behavior.

Can cats entertain themselves?

Cats can entertain themselves to a certain extent, especially if they have access to stimulating toys that pique their curiosity. Homemade toys that appeal to their natural instincts, such as climbing structures or toys that require spatial reasoning, can help keep them entertained. However, it is important to provide new stimuli on a regular basis to avoid boredom.