Today, I created a manual snake chaser toy for my cats, Coco and Blu. Even though it's a bit larger than usual, I was thrilled with how gracefully it moves, following any direction I guide it. I love giving my cats new toys to keep them entertained and to satisfy their hunting instincts, helping them stay away from real prey.
I first had to forage a few feathers as one of the planned materials I would use.
At home, I gathered all my materials:
Sweet wrappers
String
Elastic string
Cardboard
Feathers
Cap from a plastic bottle
Not in the above photo:
Stick
Glue and scissors
Here鈥檚 how I made it.
I first cut the cardboard into squares.
Then, I made holes in the cardboard squares and set them aside.
I folded the sweet wrappers into squares and made a hole in them by folding them again into smaller squares and cutting one corner. I set them aside.
I tied the feathers together with the elastic string or just the normal string,
Cut the excess tip and put glue on it to secure it more.
I threaded the string through the cap.
Set it aside
I threaded the elastic string through the cardboard squares and candy wrappers, alternating between them. When it moves, the sweet wrapper makes a hissing sound, attracting the cats. The elastic string also gives the kitty a nice pull when they grab it.
I attached it to the nonelastic string and threaded through more.
I always add super glue to the knots so they are hard to undo.
Once satisfied with the length, I tied a knot at the end.
I secured the end to a long stick by tying it tightly. The stick helps make it move more easily and gracefully.
Done!
I showed it to my sleepy kitties in the garden. The heat really wiped them out, but their curiosity perked them up.
I made it move.
As it was a bit bigger than usual, the cautious Coco was a little bit scared of it when it wiggled. She wanted to play but was unsure.
However, Blu played with it more; the size made them hesitate initially.
In the end, Blu had a good tumble with it, but Coco was unsure to touch it, so I will make another one in a smaller size.
Happy Caturday, everyone.
Mariah 馃挆馃樅
