Your cat probably has a drawer full of expensive toys that they completely ignore. Yet somehow, they can spend hours fascinated by the most random everyday objects lying around your house. Let’s be honest, it’s both hilarious and slightly frustrating when your furry friend prefers a cardboard box over that fancy feather wand you splurged on.
The truth is, cats are naturally curious creatures driven by instinct. Hunting is in a cat’s DNA, and most types of indoor play give cats an outlet to act instinctually, releasing dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical. So let’s dive into the ordinary treasures hiding in plain sight that your cat secretly adores.
Cardboard Boxes: The Ultimate Cat Castle
Leave a cardboard box on the ground and wait. A cat will be in that box in a matter of minutes – if not seconds. Cats love concealed spaces, and boxes offer a tight enclosure that acts perfectly as a mini cave, helping your cat feel safe and secure. Because cardboard is an insulator, boxes are great places for cats to both explore and feel cozy.
The magic doesn’t stop at simple hiding spots. Depending on the size you can give them just one to play in, or even set up several to create a cardboard box park. Take it to the next level by stacking boxes and building a kitty fort!
Bottle Caps: Tiny Hockey Pucks of Joy
Bottle caps and ping pong balls are lightweight and easy to flick around the floor. Ping-pong balls are amusing because your cat can chase them faster than bottle caps. Plastic bottle caps can bounce around, spin, and slide across the floor as if they were a hockey puck on ice. Much like ping pong balls, plastic bottle caps are safe for your cat to use since they are too large for your cat to eat.
Think about it from your cat’s perspective. These little round objects roll unpredictably, making that satisfying clicking sound as they skitter across hardwood floors. A light object that can be flicked is of great interest to a mouser. It would like to toss it around and then chase it, unleashing its predator trait.
Paper Bags: Crinkly Hideouts
Some cats can never get enough of paper bags. You may even find it quite hard to empty your groceries without your furry friend trying to climb into the bag. Paper bags are especially enjoyable for cats that love the sound of crumpled paper. Just put a paper bag on a hard floor surface and add a toy inside it to try and encourage the cat to slide it around.
The beauty of paper bags lies in their versatility. Cut any handles off of this potential toy before letting your cat play with it, but when you do, there’s no limit on how to make a paper bag engaging and interesting. Cut the bottom off and make it a tunnel, or put multiple such bags out and let your cat run wild. You could also leave the bottom on and put some food in it for a treasure hunt.
Toilet Paper Rolls: DIY Puzzle Toys
When you do run out of toilet paper, save the rolls. They’re perfect for hiding toys and snacks and are safe to chew. They’re also lightweight, making them perfect for chasing around the house. Toilet paper and paper towel tubes can be converted into treat dispensers. Cut out holes just big enough for a piece of cat treat/kibble to slip out. Fill the rolling tube with treats and seal both sides with tape. Voila, a food puzzle toy is ready to be served; it will offer the pet mental as well as physical stimulation and satisfy its hunting needs.
These simple cardboard tubes tap into your cat’s problem solving abilities. You can get as creative as you want and try forming a sort of pyramid with the rolls, poking small holes in the middle of the rolls to form a treat dispenser, or standing them up tall and seeing if your cat can fish the food out with his paws. The possibilities are endless.
Crumpled Paper: The Budget-Friendly Ball
Cats adore playing with crumpled pieces of paper. They enjoy the noise the paper makes as well as the texture. This is perhaps why commercially sold cat toys have a crumpled section in them. If you are out of cat toys in your house, simply crumple a piece of paper and throw it around your house for the cat to chase after.
Paper balls offer something store bought toys often lack: that perfect combination of lightness and unpredictability. Paper can be crumpled into a ball that your cat can chase. Some cats look forward to a game of fetch and will bring back the ball to you. Honestly, there’s something magical about watching a sophisticated feline completely lose their mind over a wadded up receipt.
String and Yarn: Ancient Cat Entertainment
String and rope perfectly resemble slithering prey, ready to be captured at a moment’s notice. Usually, many households have twine, a length of wool or string lying around. While you may not think twice about a string, this remarkably simple household item can be a source of entertainment for a playful cat. You need only pull a string slowly near your cat to get its attention.
Cats love playing with items that they can bite and hook their paws into. They also like batting yarn balls around, chasing after them, and looking for them beneath furniture in your living space. However, supervision is crucial here. Be careful, though. A thin string can be very dangerous if your cat swallows it, so you should always supervise them during playtime, and put string and rope out of reach when you are not around.
Ping Pong Balls: Perfect Prey Substitutes
Ping pong balls bounce well and generally they move around fast. These make a great toy for cats to bounce and then chase around. Ping pong balls are too large to be swallowed by your cat, so they are safe for your cat to play. Bouncing a ping pong ball around can be a fun way to make sure your cat gets some exercise while indoors.
The genius of ping pong balls lies in their physics. Ping-pong balls make great toys for cats, as they bounce and make interesting sounds when batted around. Plus, they are relatively lightweight, making them easy for your cat to carry around. Since these toys roll around so much, they can be easy to lose. However, they’re worth the hassle since they engage your cat’s hunting instincts and keep him mentally sharp.
Aluminum Foil: The Controversial Crinkle
Here’s where things get interesting. While many cats flee from aluminum foil, not every cat hates it and some even enjoy playing with balls of aluminum foil. If this sounds like your cat, be careful – it’s really easy for aluminum foil to break apart, which means your cat may end up accidentally swallowing some. There are hundreds of thousands of cats that are happy to play with foil balls and don’t seem to care at all about the sound which suggests that while the sound is probably strange, not every cat finds it unpleasant.
Cats love crinkle toys, so they should love a ball of aluminum foil, right? Not always. With aluminum foil, there is a big difference when compared to popular crinkle balls you can buy your kitty. The key is knowing your individual cat’s preferences and always supervising foil playtime due to safety concerns.
Ice Cubes: Summer Entertainment
These are a bit messy but make great summertime toys, especially on the slick kitchen floor. Plus, you can flavor the ice cubes with tuna and chicken juice. Your cat will have a blast and a tasty treat all in one. Ice cubes. These are ideal for the summer months. Throw some on the floor, your kitty will have a gala time sliding on them.
The appeal is obvious once you think about it. Ice cubes combine movement, temperature variation, and eventual disappearance into water. Let your cat’s craziness unfold by freezing catnip, fish oil, or chicken broth in ice cubes. It’s like a puzzle toy that melts away, leaving your cat wondering where their prey went.
Conclusion
As much as we love our furry feline friends, we do not have to spend a fortune purchasing expensive toys for them. You probably have several of the items listed above lying around in your house. There is no better way to repurpose unusable items in our homes than converting them into play items for our cats.
The next time you’re about to toss that empty box or toilet paper roll, pause for a moment. Your cat might just see a treasure where you see trash. Depending on your cat, you can have it entertained with any of the household items highlighted on our list. Just make sure that you play with your cat daily, ideally for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times per day. Playtime will not only keep your cat active and healthy but will also reinforce your bond with them.
What everyday item does your cat love most? Have you caught them ignoring expensive toys for something completely ordinary? Share your stories in the comments!
