In the spirit of giving thanks, I decided I would give thanks to Peanut (even though she's bad all the time) and make her some Thanksgiving inspired handmade cat toys!
These are pretty easy to make, and they don't require much in the way of supplies or skills. You will need some felt, catnip, embroidery thread, needle, scissors, crinkly trash, and something to stuff the toys with--I used some acrylic yarn I had around. I purchased these sheets of felt at JoAnn's for $0.35 a sheet.
WARNING:
If you are making these toys for your own cat, they will try to help. Peanut went on a rampage and ruined everything for about 10 minutes after she got her paws on some of this catnip.
See figure a.
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| Figure a. |
Once you have restored order (or at least some semblance of it) cut out two identical feather-shaped pieces of felt in the color of your choosing.
Add a few felt bits of flair to jazz up the feather and add some dimension. It's a cat toy, so it doesn't have to be perfect.
Next, you'll want to embroider some detail on the feather. I just went for it and added different lines and shapes. Again, it's a cat toy, so don't spend hours on the detail--that would be silly!
After you're satisfied with the level of detail, it'll be time to stuff the toy. I stitched my feather together around all but one of the sides. You'll need to grab your catnip that you've probably had to hide somewhere because of the swarming cats. You'll also want to cut off a piece of the crinkly waste packing I mentioned earlier. The idea here is to have something that makes noise and sounds like it's dying for the cat's enjoyment.
Very, very carefully stuff the toy with yarn, crinkly bits, and catnip. Try very hard to keep the kitties away. I'm very aware of what this feather with the catnip looks like. Stitch up the final side, knot the end, and you're ready to go!
I made Peanut a feather, a pilgrim/Scarlet Letter inspired dress, a turkey (because she is a turkey), and a maple leaf.
Peanut could hardly wait to play with all the toys. She particularly like the Scarlet A dress. Before long she was on her handmade cat scratching post upstairs and going nuts.
I hope you make your kitties some toys and they love them as much as Peanut did!
Cute but one warning. Using yarn to stuff the toys is NOT a good idea. When the cat tears the toy apart--and she definitely will eventually--she will swallow the yarn, then you will have a visit to the vet and possible surgery when it gets wrapped around her intestines. I'm in cat rescue--we hear about this happening all the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I've done this several times before and never had a problem with her ripping them open, but it's definitely something to watch for. In the future, I'll probably take Christina's advice and just cut the yarn up into pieces.
DeleteThis is such a cute idea and Peanut is adorable!! I know my cat would love these, especially the feather because of how it's shaped! I always make her a mini stocking at Christmas with toys and treats so this would be perfect!! Thanks for sharing!!! :)
ReplyDeletePs, you could use yarn, just cut it into small short pieces that aren't harmful if swallowed. :)
Thanks, I'm glad you like them! That's so cute that your kitty has a stocking. Peanut might have to get one this year too.
DeleteI don't have a cat, but my sister does, and this is too cute!
ReplyDeleteTell her to make some toys! They're really not very hard and a lot cheaper than buying them!
Deleteyour cat is adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashley!
DeleteMy cats would LOVE this. I might have to make them some for Christmas. Might even turn the feather idea into an ornament. It's so pretty.
ReplyDeleteOh good idea! Make some for your cats and for you!
DeleteI will do it for Christmas for my little cat :)
ReplyDeleteOh good, I hope your little cat loves them!
DeleteUsually I just make little squares of fabric filled with fiber-fill and catnip for my cat, but these are super cute. I love the turkey and feather ones!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sweetseamstress.com/loopsandlace/
Thanks Anna!
Deletehehe...I've recently gotten myself an old fatty ball of fur (read 'cat'). His owner died and he just decided that I was to take the position of servant next...
ReplyDeleteI'm new to raising pets, and I wanted to entertain the fat...*ahem*..the cat as much as I could.. so I bought him a couple toys. No reaction. I also tried to attract his attention with dried fishes and little treats. Nothing. I tried with a plushie mouse. Nothing at all.
The only thing that gets him -a bit- interested is a piece of silver-ish acrilic cord that I tied at the end of a baton. (and still..he doesn't move his ass from the cushion. He attacks only if the cord is at paw's lenght.)
Will catnip do the trick? :)
Arianna, great job taking in a homeless kitty! I think catnip is definitely worth a try. Although some cats could care less about catnip, other cats are totally gaga for it. I vote to give him some and then get out of the way. He could turn into a catnip fiend!
DeleteWhile we're on the subject of entertaining cats, there's nothing my cat, Matilda, loves more than a pile of papers. Assemble a bunch of newspaper or tissue paper and drag a string through the pile (beneath a few papers) or toss a little ball in there. It works like a charm. Also, brown paper bags. It's basically her favorite thing. Good luck!
Thanks for the reply message! ^^
DeleteI've tried with the papers, and he enjoyed it a lot. He enjoyed it so much that yesterday he slept on the papers, instead of sleeping on grandma's flower bed.
Cicero is still as lazy as ever, but it was fun moving him around all wrapped up like a chrismas present... :P
(I definitely need to buy some catnip. That cat needs a stimulus!!)
Cicero is an awesome cat name.
DeleteIt would be better perhaps to put some VALERIANA insdide :)
ReplyDeleteThat would depend on the effect you want your toy to have on your feline friend. Valerian is to help sleep and relaxation whereas catnip is for play and excitement. Personally, my cat doesn't need any help with sleeping, he's more than happy to snooze anytime, anywhere!!
ReplyDeletePlay however is good for his old arthritic joints and to keep his weight in check especially now that he's of an age where he would rather snooze in front of the warm fire instead of going out to catch mice!
Thanks Catherine for the top tips. Salem will love his new toys and I won't be out of pocket :-)
I don't have a kitty :-( but my sister does. I know what Mr. Bigglesworth will get for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Well, Mr. Bigglesworth will be one excited feline!
DeleteI love this!! I bought some felt today and made a feather and a mouse for my boys :) Egon is freaking out over them (but, let's be honest...he's a total 'nip head), and Winston just seems to enjoy holding his mouse. Thanks for the inspiration!! Next up, a football and a Christmas tree....
ReplyDelete*Molly
Oh good! I love that your cats are named Egon and Winston. Well done!!!!
DeleteStuff with strips of potato chip bags makes it crinkly & cats don't swallow them....of course with cat nip...they love em!
DeleteYup, that's a smart way to go. I've also used cereal bags for toys and crinkly cat beds. :)
DeleteGreat idea! I will definitely have to give this a try for my two cats! Also, I love the photos... it looks like something my cats would do while doing this project! Got to love them!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and thanks for sharing. Some things in here I have not thought about before.Thanks for making such a cool post which is really very well written.will be referring a lot of friends about this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post! You made the directions for each step easy to follow and duplicate in the same fashion. I can't say that I am a very crafty person myself, but I was very pleased with my results as was my cat Shadow. I am so tired of going out to the pet store and buying him toys that he loses or destroys. These ideas have definitely saved me money.
ReplyDeleteSarah
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ReplyDeleteNerf Shooter
Hi your blog is very informative. Nice idea and tips to create handmade cat toys. Cats are like kids so, toys plays very important role in their life. Toys give your loving cat company when they are alone. To buy online cat toys go to Pets Department.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGet a variety of cute cat toys at https://www.missmeowni.com/
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing nice information about toys for cats with us. i glad to read this post.
ReplyDeleteThe blog was great here some crazy stuff that you can explore The Hello Kitty Money Bank at MyFirsToys is a charming and practical way for kids to save money. Featuring the beloved Hello Kitty design, this cute bank encourages good saving habits while adding a touch of fun to any room. Ideal for young Hello Kitty fans
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