What Non-commercial Cat Toys Do Your Cats Like?

Mine love catnip fresh from the plant during the summer and dried during the winter. I crochet balls that I stuff with catnip wrapped in old nylons and then add a curly tail by making a chain and working 3 DC in each chain. Another good toy is a magazine insert (the subscription cards) folded like a paper hat until it stays in a little triangle shape.

1. Why is it so hard to make cat toys?

cats are not picky as long as it reminds them of mice. Fake fur works well, but I have had more success with lighter knit fabrics that can easily be hooked and tossed across the room. Shape does not matter, cats are more attracted to the "tail" then anything else. Try lightweight knitted fabrics that when swiped with claws get good distance. Catnip never hurts, but I have also had great luck with sewn on "wings" or accent pieces made from cheap felt that the cat can actively tear off. Cats only seem fully satisfied from a play session if they managed to make a giant mess of cotton and chewed up fabric. Obviously watch your cat during the first few "destruction's" to decide if you trust her alone. Needless to say buttons and beads are a no-no, stay away from anything they can choke on and limit your sewing to small portions rather than a single solid thread they could eat and wreck havoc on the digestive system. I use 4 inch sections, even that could cause harm. Another toy that in theory should have worked (my cat is destructive, things that do not rip are not any fun), is I took a cheap malformed cat ball (the type that never roll in a straight line) and drilled two large holes in it for cat food. I removed the rattles and bells, filled it with cat food and treats. If your cat likes rattle balls it should be a great project, for safety's sake use fine sandpaper in the holes and thoroughly wash out any plastic fragments. My problem may have been the soap I used, but still like the idea.

2. Is their any homemade cat toys I could make?

One of the easiest and most fun for cats is......take a heavy (athletic) sock, tie it in a knot and let her "cuddle" with it, or toss it across the floor for him/her to chase. The cat will ATTACK it, like "prey". Another one......take the drawstring belt (not STRING) out of an old pair of sweatpants and tie something (old belled collar, etc) to one end. Tie something else to the other end, and the cat can drag it around.........while the bell jingles. My cats have played with one of these for years. If you tie a soft toy to one end, and spray it with catnip, the cat will loooooove it! I also take a fly swatter and "swish" it from side to side across the floor. The cats will chase this back and forth until ( I ) get tired. Then, I will toss it across the room and they will chase after it. You do not say how old (big) your cat is, but.......I have a "tunnel" that my cats love to run through. This is made by getting a "concrete FORM" from Home Depot (4 ft long ), gluing some carpet remnant around it (if you want it to double as a scratching object ) and fixing it up on a "brace", so it does not roll across the floor. This can be made by making a l_l out of wood, or an X.....anything to keep it from rolling. These are just a few of the things that my (12) cats love to play with. Hope you get some good ideas from everyone.....Good luck.

3. Is anyone else appalled by the quality of so many cat toys?

I do see a lot of garbage toys for cats in the pet store however I stick to about 2 or 3 brands that I know make quality toys with no tinsel, pipecleaners, glue holding googly eyes on. Try toys made by Fat Cat Inc. (I will provide the links below). I also like "Active Cat" toys produced by The Cat Fanciers' Association. Another brand which I got for my kitten was Pet Links System; my Rex just got 2 stuffed whales with feathers (100% natural & real bird feathers, not dyed fake ones) attached to them because cats instinctively love feathers. Fat Cat Inc. toys have such detail on their products but it's nothing that can come off. Active Cat toys you can find at Petco, but yeah I've seen a lot of cheepy stuff that Rex would tear apart in a second and then eat and it would not be good. But then again many companies produce garbage just to make money. I have 3 birds and the pet stores carry products that are so harmful to their health yet they still carry them to make money.