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  5. 11 Cat Crafts That Are Perfect for Your Feline Friend

11 Cat Crafts That Are Perfect for Your Feline Friend

By Alexandra Lim-Chua Wee Updated January 29, 2020
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cat playing in living room
Credit: Martin Deja / Getty Images
Whether your cat loves to pounce and play, nibble on new treats, or needs a comfy bed for napping (preferably in a sunny spot of the house), we have projects to keep him or her content.
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cat playing in living room
Credit: Martin Deja / Getty Images

Curling up on your lap to keep you warm, snuggling up by your side, simply being the "purrr-fect" listeners any time, any day—there are so many reasons to love our feline friends. As cat lovers ourselves, Martha and her editors have come up with the best projects to make fun toys that'll keep your furry friends busy for hours and cozy beds that they'll adore curling up in. After all, they deserve to know just how much you love them.

Playtime is important for cats. Luckily for you and your felines, we have plenty of great ideas: Have a few empty cardboard boxes lying around? See how you can turn them into an adventurous playhouse that's all your cat's own. You can even customize it by painting on their nickname and adding cute embellishments; the more toys to bat at, the better! Or, turn your knitting skills into this adorable miniature mouse they'll be carrying with them everywhere.

If your four-legged friend loves lying in the grass, but doesn't have as much of it around, see how you can grow wheatgrass as a safe alternative (that'll also keep them away from digging into your houseplants). And we bet any cat would agree that there's no such thing as too many feather toys! Our version—made with colorful wool felt and little bells—is simple to create and easy to make a few of. Whichever DIY idea you decide on, we're paw-sitive that any cat will adore these handmade toys and surprise treats.

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Cat Scratching Post

cat scratching post
Credit: Kirsten Francis
Get the Cat Scratching Post How-To

Your cat's ideal hangout? This scratching post doubles as a perch for your feline co-inhabitant. At home, outfit an oversized cardboard tube with sisal, and top it off with a sheepskin-lined tray. The textured surface is great for scratching while the indoor/outdoor nooks are a prime spot for napping.

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Feather Cat Toy

la103157_1207_cattoy.jpg
Credit: Laura Moss
Get the Feather Cat Toy How-To

A cat can never have too many feather toys. These ones are made of wool felt (read: oh-so-soft!) and can be customized in an array of cute colors, dangled from a dowel, and tied to tiny, jingling bells for hours of fun.

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Cat Window Perch

window ledge cat bed
Credit: Michael Mundy
Get the Cat Window Perch How-To

Felines of all kinds will be thankful to have this cozy, custom-built napping perch, ideal for long afternoons basking in the sun. Top it off with a soft cushion or sheepskin and we bet they'll love you even more than they already do.

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Cat Basket

hanging cat basket with white and gray cat inside
Credit: Gieves Anderson
Get the Cat Basket How-To

For most cats, all the toys in the world can't compare to a simple basket. Give their cozy hiding nook an upgrade—and an elevated rise off the floor—by mounting it to the wall with hardware. A blanket keeps Kitty warm and content.

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Pet Paw Balm

paw balm small jars
Credit: Chloe Mackintosh
Get the Pet Paw Balm How-To

Cold weather can often mean irritated paws for your four-legged friend. To help keep them healthy and safe during the winter months, stash this homemade balm—made with all-natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax—nearby all season long.

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Cactus Catnip Toy

two felt cactus cat toys
Credit: Kara Whitten
Get the Cactus Catnip Toy How-To

Super soft and simply darling, these felted catnip toys are both colorful additions to their library of playthings. They're also fun to make (we won't blame you for getting addicted!). The best part is that the felted material only gets better the more your cat plays with it as their claws act like a natural needle-felting tool.

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Cardboard Cat Playhouse

pc_wgd104781_cathouse3a.jpg
Credit: Johnny Miller
Get the Cardboard Cat Playhouse How-To

Your cat will love to meander through this DIY playhouse, which you can construct from three cardboard boxes in just a few simple steps. Our printable templates help you design and cut out windows and doors, while your creativity helps make the playhouse a space that's all your cat's own.

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Menswear Mouse Toy

mld104586_0310_mice_v2.jpg
Credit: Dana Gallagher
Ge the Menswear Mouse Toy How-To

Treat a kitty to a game of cat and mouse with a few dapper toys. There's no mistaking these critters for the real thing—they're constructed from brightly colored suiting and shirting fabric.

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Knotted Ball Cat Toy

knotted cat toy hanging from doorknob
Credit: Kara Whitten
Get the Knotted Ball Cat Toy How-To

A great way to upcycle an old t-shirt and keep your cat happy? This knotted ball toy, which is made by cutting up old fabric into strips and tying them together. Add a longer piece of fabric to the finished ball for easy hanging (a doorknob will do) and ta-da—playtime in a pinch!

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Knit Catnip Hearts

la104506_0209_catnphearts.jpg
Get the Knit Catnip Hearts How-To

Any kitten would be smitten over this sweet catnip-filled pillow. The toys are also packed with wool stuffing and a jingle bell, keeping it plush and soft for play.

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Petaled Collar

pet-costumes-1011mld107618g.jpg
Get the Petaled Collar How-To

This adorable collar is perfect for Halloween. With just two steps, and our printable templates, you can transform a bit of velcro, ribbon, and wool felt in your favorite floral colors into a beautiful, wearable blossom. Pet-unias, anyone?

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    1 of 12
    2 of 12 Cat Scratching Post
    3 of 12 Feather Cat Toy
    4 of 12 Cat Window Perch
    5 of 12 Cat Basket
    6 of 12 Pet Paw Balm
    7 of 12 Cactus Catnip Toy
    8 of 12 Cardboard Cat Playhouse
    9 of 12 Menswear Mouse Toy
    10 of 12 Knotted Ball Cat Toy
    11 of 12 Knit Catnip Hearts
    12 of 12 Petaled Collar

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