The best DIY games for cats

Cats love to play. Even when they seem lazy and listless, they're actually just waiting for a cue, the start of an activity, to get busy with their owner. And unlike dogsCats who need to get out of the house to have fun are content with little and make everything easier. Cardboard boxes, scratching posts, paper balls, rag dolls, or old socks that can be moved with a string: these are just some examples of cat toys that we can make ourselves, at home. without spending money with unnecessary purchases. They are also at a disadvantage compared to dogs. catsIn fact, they rarely leave the house and cannot rely on the ritual of walking, during which dogs do their business, play outdoors, become active, and just like us, they naturally manage the risk of obesity with physical exercise. Here's why more than a third of cats are overweight, 13 percent are affected by severe obesity and 95 percent are also at risk of serious diseases due to the fact that they eat too much.

The alternative to total inactivity and repetitive eating is only one: playing and having fun with cats. So as not to waste their company. Rubber or cloth balls, small objects to chew on, little mice made from reusing scraps of fabric: there are so many things to play with cats. But how do you use them? How do you make them at home? In fact, it takes very little to... entertain your cat And it's not always necessary to spend too much on toys sold in large retailers or in shops specializing in pet products. A little creativity and manual skill are all you need to create lots of toys at home using recycled materials. do it yourself games with which to spend happy moments together with your four-legged friend.

How to play with the cat

A very simple activity is that of throw him some kibble: your four-legged friend will start chasing them to retrieve them. Alternatively, hide some treats under a plastic cup or paper: you'll see that the cat will have fun moving the glass to get to the food. Obviously, always keep track of the food portions so as not to fall into incorrect rationing. And what about instead? hide a toy under a newspaper And make it move? The cat will begin to observe the potential prey and will enjoy catching it. But remember to move the toy away from the animal, just as prey would do in nature, otherwise you risk only scaring the cat. And every now and then, make the game disappear for a few seconds: a way to stimulate his attention and Curiosity.

You may also have noticed that one of their favorite pastimes is search for objects in the waterThen, place some kibble in a bowl of water so that your cat can have fun trying to reach it. This is also a way to get him to drink a little more. If your cat doesn't react immediately, however, don't insist and give him time to understand and observe what is happening. If the cat is old Instead, avoid making him push himself too hard and suggest games to play on the floor, without jumping too much, so he doesn't tire himself out. Lots of interesting activities, also useful for strengthen the bond of the animal with the owner. Let's now see what the DIY games to make at home to entertain our beloved four-legged friend.

Steel cantilevers arms

Cats, as we know, love to jump and so a smart idea could be to build some shelves with scrap wood (for example from an old piece of furniture), with reinforced cardboard or with whatever works for us and then mount them on a wall, in a staggered fashion, so that the cat can have fun jumping from one to the other, perhaps finding a nice cushion on which to rest on the highest one.

Little snake

The idea is beautiful surprise snake, created with tubes of cardboard (like those used for toilet paper) to be stuffed into a sock, then folded inside the tube itself and secured with hot glue at only one end. Inside the snake could be a chewy treat that the cat will enjoy searching for, attracted by the smell.

Old drawers

For those who are more skilled and familiar with DIY, an original idea is that of castle made of old people drawersIf you have an old piece of furniture at home that you no longer use, you can salvage the drawers and attach them to metal or wooden bars, in a staggered pattern. Your cat will be happy to jump around and hide in the drawers as if they were little beds.

Cork stoppers

Cork stoppers, to which pieces of colored cloth or rattles are attached, become fake prey that the cat entertains itself by turning between its paws; the same can be done with old socks stuffed with cotton wool or cloth, decorated with feathers or colored threads.

Tinfoil

Cats love the tinfoil, so just create some balls with this tempting material and then tie them to a string to dangle or slide them in front of him and invite him to play.

Cardboard silhouettes

With strips or cardboard shapes Useful scratching posts are created to allow cats to sharpen their claws without damaging furniture. The strips are joined together so that the cat can claw its way around the rough edges.

Cardboard boxes

One of the favorite games of cats is that of cardboard boxesVery simple. Get one, perhaps recycling a classic home delivery box, and turn it into a sort of maze where the cat can wander at will. Searching for something. Yes, this should be a sort of game with prizes, encouraging the cat to search. The prize? A candy, a toy, a sprig of grass. Obviously, the cat should never feel trapped inside the box or inside multiple boxes placed one after the other.

palina

Any type of ball Cats love playing with anything. From paper balls to cloth balls. Or even tennis or ping pong balls. The game requires your help: throw the ball so the cat has to fetch it. Another option is to tie the ball to a string and tease the cat by pulling it back and forth until he catches it.

Read also:

• Cat cafes: where to find them
• Homemade, healthy, and affordable cat food
• DIY Dog Games: 10 Fun Ideas