Tissue box paw puzzle for cats: how to play

Turn an empty cardboard tissue box into a cheap self-play toy. Put a couple of household items inside and let your cat bat and paw at them.

Time: 2 min
Energy: Low
Space: Small room

You'll need

empty cardboard tissue box
crumpled paper balls, ping pong balls or plastic milk-jug rings
toilet paper roll (optional)

Set up

Set an empty cardboard tissue box on the floor in a quiet spot where your cat likes to play. Have a couple of household items ready to drop inside, and plan to stay with your cat for the whole game.

How to play

Set the empty cardboard tissue box on the floor. Cardboard boxes are a simple, cheap toy your cat can play with, so start with the box on its own and let your cat have a look.
Pick fillers from everyday household items: crumpled paper balls, ping pong balls, plastic rings from milk jugs or a toilet paper roll. Choose things your cat can bat and chase but not swallow.
Drop a couple of the items inside the box. Then step back and let your cat come over and bat at them with a paw in their own time.
Stay close and supervise the whole game. DIY items are only safe while you are watching, so take anything your cat tries to eat straight out of their mouth.
Keep it short. Very short games of one to two minutes are fine, and you can put the box down again later in the day.
Swap the fillers when your cat loses interest, then put the box away. Rotating toys in different sequences makes old toys seem new and exciting.

House rules

Supervise the whole game. DIY items are only safe while you are watching.
Use items your cat can bat and chase but not swallow.
Take anything your cat tries to eat out of their mouth straight away.
Keep games very short, one to two minutes at a time.
Swap the fillers regularly so the puzzle stays interesting.
Do not leave your cat alone with the box and fillers.

Make it easier: Use a shallow box with a wide opening and just one item inside. Let your cat see and sniff the item before it goes in.
Make it harder: Add a second box or a toilet paper roll to reach into, and change the fillers every session so the puzzle feels new.

Signs it's having fun

Batting the fillers with a paw, pouncing on an item as it moves, and staying with the box to keep trying.

Stop if you see

Your cat stops and walks away. If your cat goes for your ankle, scratches or bites you when they want to play, that could be redirected play aggression: end the game and use toys that keep your body at a distance.

Safety

Always supervise. Take the box away at once if your cat starts to chew or eat the cardboard.
Pick fillers that your cat cannot swallow, and check them for damage before and after play.
Do not leave your cat on their own with toys that could be shredded and eaten or that they could get tangled in.
Check the toys regularly for signs of wear and replace them when needed.
If your cat swallows part of a toy or the cardboard, call your vet now.

Sources

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

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