Cardboard roll ring skitter for cats: how to play

Cut empty toilet paper rolls into manageable cardboard pieces and offer them as simple toys. Your cat can swat, chase, pick up and pounce on them, and you can rotate them with the rest of the toy batch.

Time: 10 min
Energy: Medium
Space: Small room

You'll need

empty toilet paper rolls
scissors

Set up

Save a few empty toilet paper rolls and a pair of scissors. Cut the rolls into manageable pieces before play. Check the room first and make sure there are no heavy objects that could fall onto your cat during play.

How to play

Save a few empty toilet paper rolls. Cut them into manageable sizes with scissors and keep the pieces small enough to bat around.
Put one or two pieces on the floor near your cat and let your cat swat them. Cats are very good at swatting, so let your cat set the pace.
Let your cat pick a piece up, carry it or toss it in the air. Cats like toys they can catch, pick up and toss, so let your cat play with the piece however it likes.
Add a paper bag or a cardboard box to the room. Paper bags are fun to pounce on and scoot, and they give a shy cat somewhere to hide.
Watch closely the whole time the cardboard is out. If your cat tries to eat a piece, take it out of your cat's mouth straight away.
Pack the pieces away when play ends and rotate them with the rest of your cat's toys. Disinfect the pieces if you reuse them.

House rules

Supervise closely while the cardboard pieces are out.
If your cat attempts to ingest a piece, remove it immediately.
Do not add string, feathers or other strand-like parts to the cardboard.
Offer just a few pieces at a time and rotate them with the other toys.
Disinfect the pieces if you reuse them.
If you have concerns about a toy, ask your vet for advice.

Make it easier: Offer only a few pieces at a time and let your cat choose which one to play with. Put the rest away and rotate them later.
Make it harder: Add a paper bag or a cardboard box so your cat can pounce, scoot and hide around the pieces.

Signs it's having fun

Your cat swats the pieces around, chases them, picks one up, tosses it in the air, or pounces on a paper bag.

Stop if you see

Your cat tries to eat the cardboard, or loses interest and walks away. Take the piece away immediately if your cat attempts to ingest it.

Safety

Check the room before play and make sure no heavy objects can fall onto your cat.
Always supervise closely while DIY items are accessible.
If your cat attempts to ingest a piece of cardboard, remove it from the mouth immediately.
Avoid toys with small pieces or strand-like parts such as string that may separate and be ingested.
If you have any concerns about a toy for your cat, ask your vet for advice.

Sources

Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.

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