Here are a few ideas for some homemade fun for your small pal. With all toys, whether store-bought or homemade, supervise your cat to make sure that no parts come loose and become a hazard for him.

Catnip Sock Toy

One of the easiest and most delightful toys for your cat is a catnip sock toy. Find an old sock that has no holes, and then push an empty toilet paper roll into the bottom of it. Fill the toilet paper roll with catnip, and then tie the empty leg of the sock into a knot. Your cat will love this simple yet creative idea.

Cardboard Playhouse

Many cats love crawling around in new spaces. Build a playhouse for your cat out of one or more cardboard boxes and cut windows out so your cat can see out of them. If you are using more than one box, you can cut a hole in between both boxes that are large enough to crawl from one compartment to the other. Jazz it up by painting the playhouse to suit your home décor.

Knitted Catnip Cuddle Toys

Choose a color of yarn as well as a shape that you like, such as a heart, square, or star. Knit two identical shapes and sew them together. Leave a small opening that you can insert catnip in, and then sew the hole shut. Your cat will love playing with this delightful toy for hours.

Easter Egg Shaker

You can buy packs of several plastic Easter eggs from the store, even dollar stores, for an extremely affordable price. Take one of these Easter eggs, open it up, and insert several beans. Close it up and watch your cat have fun moving this around. Make a few in different colors so your cat can choose one or two to play with any time he feels like it.

Sunny Toilet Paper Roll

All you need for this one is an old toilet paper roll and a pair of scissors. Hold the toilet paper roll and cut 1-inch strips every 1/4 inch to create several tabs. When they are finished, push back the tabs to create what looks like a beaming sun on each end. Your cat will love to bat this around.

Cats can get bored just like humans. Fun is essential for the life of a cat, and so is exercise. When a cat is having fun, it will generally move around a lot. By making some of these simple toys for your cat, you will put some playback into his life. Try any of these simple crafts and watch your feline friend come alive with joy.

Denim Toss Toy

Do you have an old pair of jeans that you no longer wear? You can create the perfect toy for your dog by cutting the jeans into an extremely long rectangle, then tying a knot through the middle. Cut the ends down to the length that you would like it to be, and it is already finished. This is a great throw toy that you and your dog can play fetch with, and the denim makes it quite durable.

Treat Puzzle

Does your animal friend like to munch on tasty treats? Create a find-the-treat puzzle by putting 12 tennis balls into the 12 cups in a regular-size muffin tin. Lift one and place a treat beneath it. Invite your furry friend to play a game of hiding and seek that will amuse him, and surprise him when he finds the treat inside the winning muffin cup. This is a game you can play over and over again, and it doesn’t take much time to set up.

T-Shirt Toss

If your little friend enjoys fetching toys, create a simple toy out of a tennis ball and an old t-shirt. Place the ball on the inside of the t-shirt, and cut several lines that reach from the outside edges of the t-shirt, almost to the ball. Cut enough lines so that there are either 6 or 9 flaps of t-shirt material so that you can braid them in groups of 3.

This will leave you with a fun toy that has the benefits of a ball but is easy to pick up because of all the braid strands and is fun to tug back and forth when your little guy wants you to be more involved in his play.

Obstacle Course

If you and your pal need to get some fresh air, an obstacle course is a perfect way to bond while getting some sunlight and exercise. Depending on the season, there are various ways to create an obstacle course suitable for your little friend.

Look at whatever supplies you have in your backyard, and set them up in a way that your dog can participate in a fun adventure. Create it in a way that you can complete the obstacle course with your dog following you. After you have done the course a few times together, you will find that your dog can do the parts he enjoys.

You don’t have to buy elaborate and expensive toys for your dog to have fun. By simply using your creativity and some supplies that you likely already have around, you can make fun toys that will give your furry friend something new to do. Try some of these ideas and enjoy playing together.

Siamese: The Siamese cat can be a fickle creature. They often require a lot of attention when they determine it is necessary. They tend to meow quite a bit and can tear up a home if left alone for too long. These are the downsides. Siamese can be great pets, especially when raised from infancy. They are often white with brown ears and blue eyes. You may recognize them from Lady and the Tramp.

Siamese is generally very affectionate. They are also one of the most intelligent of the cat species. They tend to be very social, which is why they meow or “talk” a lot. A sign for attention is usually a vocal meow, much like a baby’s cry. Siamese typically bonds to one person very strongly and are territorial of that person.

Persian: The Persian cat breed is one of the oldest cats around. They are longhaired cats with beautiful shinny coats. They are very soft and friendly; however, they are prone to health problems such as allergies. The Persians do not always play as much as other breeds, but they enjoy a bit of fun for exercise, especially in a social situation. They love to have other cats around to play with and have a lap available when they require a lap. Persians are a variety of colors from solid black, white, or a mix of white and browns around the face. A popular Persian is the Himalayan.

Manx: The Manx is known for its stubby tail or having no tail. The downside to Manx cats is the lack of tail. Often a Manx can suffer from worms and other parasites due to improper cleaning and not having the protection of a tail. This does not mean you should discount the Manx as a breed. The Manx breed is extremely intelligent and playful. They are like dogs in the play area because they can fetch when you through toys and bring them back to you. They are very social animals and depend on human care. They don’t like to be left alone for too long, so it is wise to have other cats to play with when you are gone during the day. The best home for a Manx is one filled with children.

These are just three of the more popular breeds of cats. There are over a dozen cat breeds to choose from, and finding the one to fit your lifestyle is important. Cats are very social and intelligent, but some breeds can be loners. Most often, a cat chooses when the time is right and what type of attention they want at the time. The phrase “you do not own a cat, it owns you,” is very true.

Most people can remember their first pet from childhood. Kids who get pets during their childhood learn to socialize with others at an early age. But, some wait until they are adults before they have their first pet companion. Either way, certain pets are better suited to your age and maturity level.

First Pets for Kids

When buying pets for children, consider that some children might like the idea of a pet but not the pet itself – especially if it is big. It could seem threatening to them. For any child, choose a baby pet if you can. Then, the pet can grow up with the child.

• Fish – Even small kids can learn to feed, clean, and care for their pets. Fish don’t need much attention beyond feeding. Choose fish for kids who are at least school age who have learned not to grab at things like fish swimming in an aquarium.
• Gerbils – They are more amenable than guinea pigs. Kids can watch them play and learn to feed them. Again, they are best for children at least of school age who can learn to handle them with care and feed them properly.
• Puppies – Introducing kids to new pets when the pet is a baby is helpful to them both. Kids learn to touch them with gentle hands, walk them and learn how they interact.
• Frogs – Little boys often like these a lot. They can watch them hop around and listen to the croak. Frogs often eat live bugs so kids can spend time catching some and watching their slimy pet eat.

First Pets for Adults

With adults, pet choice can be a little more flexible because of the maturity level. One thing to consider, though, is how much time you have to devote to a pet?

• Cats – Cats make great pets for homes where the owners have to be out for at least part of the day. Some breeds like to cuddle, and others can do without it. Either way, cats are generally self-sufficient and don’t mind being left alone for long periods as long as they have food and water.
• Snakes – They like to slither but can make good pets for people who don’t want to have to run behind their pet to give them exercise. Snakes sleep and eat. Occasionally you can handle them but they don’t mind being alone. The only drawback: they like to eat live food.
• Dogs – The breed you choose will depend on your activity level. If you don’t have time to housebreak them, choose an older dog from a shelter. For busy people, a dog that doesn’t need much exercise is ideal. If you are active, choose a dog that can keep up with you.

Choosing a pet takes research and planning, especially for your first pet. Consider the age, time commitment, and activity level of the soon-to-be owner.

First, some pets take more care than others. Dogs are very needy animals. They are sensitive towards their owners. I am sure most of you have heard of dogs tearing up a house when left alone all day. Dogs can get bored even when they have other dog companions and toys. They need human interaction. Most dog owners take their dogs out for a walk before work, and for exercise and playtime after work. Other owners who work outside will often let their dogs come to work with them to keep them out of trouble. Cats, on the other hand, can amuse themselves. As long as you put your valuables on a shelf, they cannot reach and keep a clean house, they will sleep, look out windows, and play with toys while you are away. Fish are another type of pet that is typically low maintenance except for cleaning the fish tank.

Pet care is important when you own a pet. They need attention from their owners, positive reinforcement, training, and love. Fish are usually excluded from this statement, as they need food, proper tank maintenance, and a few plants to sustain life. However, proper pet care is required when you own any pet. The decision will be yours to make in choosing what the right pet is for you. Above, I mentioned three types of pets and little about their care. Now, I am going to look at it a little more.

While dogs are high maintenance and require the most training, they are also one of the best pets to own. They can alert you to danger, alert you to someone at the door, and give unconditional love back. A dog only asks in return for proper care and a great deal of attention. If you cannot be home all the time, you will want to make sure the dog has a roof over their heads in case of inclement weather and a huge yard to play in. Some dogs can jump fences, so it may be best to have a dog run in the yard so they can move about but not escape.

Cats can be high or low maintenance, depending on the breed and personality. Some cats require hours of people’s attention, while others shirk attention. Some cats belong to a one-pet household. They do not like to share their owner’s affections and will become upset if not mean towards the infiltrator. Others need the playmate’s attention to live happily. It will be hard to determine just which type of cat you own when you first buy them as kittens as their personalities are just developing.

Pet care is the most important factor when deciding which pet is right for you and your home. You will want to consider all the pet care needs of the animals you are looking at and the breed you are looking at to determine if they will have a happy place in your home.