As you all know, I’m a kitty lover…whether it’s a great big tiger, or my three kitties who fancy themselves as tigers…I love them!  So today I’m making something that my kitties will enjoy…homemade cat treats!

The reason I wanted to make these by hand is that I’ve purchased cat toys in the past, and one of two things inevitably happens.  1.  The toy sits there, untouched. Or 2. The kitties love it so much that they tear it apart, leaving a plastic and glue disassembled little mouse.  Plastic and glue?  Not very safe for kitties.  So I’m making some toys that have NO GLUE, and therefore in my mind, I feel like they are safer.  I urge you at home to do some investigating whether or not toys are safe for your furry friends.  I’m not an expert cat toy connoisseur, but I am an expert cat lover. Here is how you get started …

You Will Need:

• Felt fabric in assorted colors
• Thick sewing thread
• Needle
• Catnip (dried and oil form)
• Pencil
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Ankle socks in assorted colors
• Feathers
• Yarn (small amount)

Sewing Felt Fish Shapes

How-To:

1. Draw a little sardine and cut it out.
2. Trace this sardine onto your desired color of felt.
3. Fold the felt over so that when you are cutting, you cut two exact same size fish. You can use small pins to hold it in place if it’s easier for you.
4. Cut out two exact size fish.
5. Take your thread and start threading around the outside of the fish with a blanket stitch (which I will demonstrate).
6. Don’t completely finish your stitch around your fish. Leave about an inch opening for cat nip.
7. Create a little funnel with your left-over card stock.
8. Fill the fish full of catnip.
9. Finish off your stitch.
10. For an added feature, use your thread to create a little fish eye ball. You can just do this with a stitch that looks like an “x”.

Kitty Sock Treats

How-To:

1. With your leftover card stock, create a funnel.
2. Grab the top of your sock around the funnel and fill the sock with dried catnip.
3. Hold the sock up and see how large you would like your toy. Cut off any excess sock at the top.
4. Add a few feathers into the catnip so that they are sticking out the top of your sock.
5. Take the thick thread and tie tightly across the top of the sock near the base of your feathers. Double and triple knot this so your kitty doesn’t easily open it.
6. Play with your new toy!

Felt Ball Treats

Step-out:

1. Take the felt and cut it in pieces about 3” long and ½” wide. You will want a bunch of these to create the look of a ball.
2. Take your thick thread and tie a double (even triple) knot in the middle.
3. Take your yarn and cut a length about 20” long.
4. Tie that around your thick thread knot.
5. Fan out your felt pieces so that they are full.
6. Add oil cat-nip to the pieces (since the dried will fall off).
7. Enjoy with your kitty!

Tips

1. Be sure to use dried catnip when you are adding it to the INSIDE of a toy, as the fresh herb tends to mold.
2. Since the dried catnip is an herb, it will tend to settle, so pack the toy tightly.
3. Make sure your tie off the top of the kitty sock very tightly so that even if the kitties remove the feathers, the catnip will stay inside and not get all over your carpet!
4. For the outside of a toy, use catnip oil to create the scent kitties love.

Do you have a playful kitten at home? We want to see your adorable cat pics so make sure you follow us on Instagram and Twitter @paigehemmis & #DIYplay #DIYpets to share with us!