Animal magic Animal magic
Your weekly fix of all creatures great and small!
We all know that sometimes a cardboard box can actually turn into a toy – and with budgets not stretching as far as they have in the past there are some pur-fect boredom busters you can create for your feline friend from things you already have at home.
Arden Grange, premium pet food service, have shared exactly how you can have a Blue Peter moment in the comfort of your own home – cat approved.
1. Loo roll kibble catcher
All you need for this one is an empty loo roll tube and some Arden Grange kibble!
Simply crush each end of the tube and fold slightly with the kibble inside. Don’t seal too well, the idea is for some kibbles to escape through the gaps. Give it a shake and watch your cat go! Don’t forget to throw it away and clear up any loose kibble after your cat has finished playing.
2. Craft sock toy
Buy some catnip sachets and create a fun cat toy using an odd sock!
Pour a small amount or catnip into the sock with a little stuffing, perhaps from an old cushion or cuddly toy, and close the open end tightly with a knot or piece of spare string.
Then, let your cat have a sniff.
3. Easy-peasy!
This is a fun activity to truly get your imagination flowing. All you need is a trusty, suitably sized cardboard box.
Cut a floor level entrance hole in any side large enough for your cat to enter and investigate – they just can’t help themselves. Then, cut a large hole higher up on another side, plenty big enough for your cat to put their head through.
The fun for you is how you choose to decorate the plain box.
Get your creativity hat on and let your marker pen run wild.
4. Luxury cat bed
Whether your home decor is shabbychic, industrial or vintage inspired, you can make a stylish addition with a handmade bed for your pet.
Simply up-cycle an old suitcase, crate, or even a spare draw.
Customise to your taste and fill with a soft blanket or bedding.
5. Scratch pad
If you have lots of unused cardboard boxes in your home, simply cut these into as many narrow strips as you can. Attach all the strips with a little tape to then make a long strip. Then, coil the strip outwards, as tightly as possible, until you have a plate-sized disk shape and seal the end with some more tape. It’s now ready to be used on the ground or fixed against a wall for your cat to scratch to their heart’s content.
It’s a cheap, creative alternative.