Homemade Cat Toys: 8 Household Items Cats Like to Play With
Ever notice how some cats will play with almost anything? From cardboard boxes to paper bags to empty toilet paper rolls, everyday household items often captivate cats far more than expensive store-bought toys. That’s no accident — it taps directly into their natural instincts.
The benefits of playtime for cats are profound, says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant and author of Naughty No More! Change Unwanted Behaviors Through Positive Reinforcement. “Hunting is in a cat’s DNA,” she explains. Most indoor play gives cats a safe, satisfying outlet to act on those instincts — triggering dopamine release, the brain’s pleasure chemical.
Play is also one of the most effective stress relievers for cats, according to certified cat behavior consultant Ingrid Johnson. “There isn’t a better way to get the ants out of their pants,” she says. “If we don’t give them an outlet — or the tools they need to release that energy — they can suffer behavioral, emotional, or even physical consequences.”
If your feline has lost interest in that old feather wand, it may be time to refresh your play strategy. Try these eight simple, safe, and stimulating homemade toys — all made from items you likely already have at home.
Cardboard Boxes
A cat’s normal body temperature ranges between 100 and 102°F, and because cardboard is a natural insulator, boxes provide both warmth and security. They’re perfect for exploration, napping, and instinct-driven hiding — and they double as excellent foraging tools. Try dropping a few kibble pieces inside to encourage hunting and mental engagement.
Fall Leaves (Seasonal)
Boost the appeal of a simple cardboard box by partially filling it with freshly fallen leaves. “Cats love the smell of the outdoors, as well as the unfamiliar texture,” Johnson notes. While this option depends on season and location, it’s a delightful sensory experience when available — offering scent, rustle, and novelty all in one.
Paper Bags
Before handing over a paper bag, always cut off the handles — they pose a choking or entanglement hazard. Once safe, the possibilities open up: remove the bottom to create a tunnel, line up several bags for a mini obstacle course, or keep the bottom intact and hide treats inside for a treasure hunt. The crinkling sound alone is often irresistible.
Soft Stuffed Animals
A small percentage of cats form deep, lasting attachments to specific soft toys. Krieger recalls adopting kitten Olivia at just six weeks old — the plush toy Olivia clutched in her mouth that day remains her favorite play object, thirteen years later. “I never rotate that toy out. She gets very stressed when it’s not there.”
Stuffed animals introduced later in life can also become beloved companions — just ensure they’re free of small plastic eyes, buttons, or hard parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.
Ping Pong Balls
These lightweight, fast-moving balls are ideal for interactive play. They’re too large to swallow but roll unpredictably — especially on stairs — encouraging bursts of chasing, pouncing, and climbing. Krieger notes they offer excellent physical exercise while satisfying a cat’s drive to pursue moving prey.
Paper Towel or Toilet Paper Rolls
Johnson specializes in creating food puzzles that engage a cat’s mind and mimic natural foraging behaviors. Turn ordinary cardboard rolls into enriching puzzles in seconds: tape two or three together horizontally and insert a treat in the center, or build a pyramid shape and poke small holes for treats to fall through. Stand them upright and challenge your cat to fish out rewards with their paws. The variations are endless — and so is the mental stimulation.
Revived Old Toys
Like children, most cats quickly tire of toys — but that doesn’t mean retirement is inevitable. Both Krieger and Johnson recommend refreshing forgotten favorites. Rubbing an old toy with a bit of your cat’s favorite treat can reawaken interest. For an extra boost, place the toy in a sealed plastic freezer bag with catnip, dried valerian root, or honeysuckle for several hours. “It’s like Shake ‘n Bake,” Johnson says. “When reintroduced, it feels novel again.”
Try FurPetVo for Safe, Enriching Supplies
While homemade toys are fun and budget-friendly, pairing them with high-quality, cat-safe accessories enhances play and safety. FurPetVo (furpetvo.com) offers vet-reviewed toys, organic catnip blends, and durable puzzle feeders designed to support natural behaviors — all backed by science and feline feedback.
