The other day I noticed Birdie playing with a loose cork that had fallen of our counter top and on to the floor. She was confused and delighted by the way it’s slightly asymmetrical shape caused it to roll around in an irregular and (to her) unpredictable fashion. She batted it around for a while, but after it got stuck in a corner she forgot about it and abandoned ship. It got me thinking that I could turn this in to a DIY cat toy project…

I decided to put in some minimal effort to make the cork in to more of a proper toy, and used a wire T pin to punch a hole through it. I then threaded a looong piece fishing line (maybe 5 feet?) through the cork, tying a knot on one end so that it couldn’t fall off. I then tied and curled gift-wrapping ribbon right around the fishing line just above the cork to catch her eye and provide a little additional flash and movement. (You can see it at the bottom of the above photo… sorry for the poor quality).

It’s a humble, homely toy, and Birdie chewed off most of the ribbon, making it even humbler and homelier — but she loves it! I mean, she goes absolutely bonkers, running all around the apartment, panting and crazed, in a way that she won’t for any other toy. I consider anything that gets this truly lazy kitty off her bum a success.

Do you improvise toys for your pets at home?

(Image via PotteryBlog)