Easy DIY Cat Projects | Cat Toys, Window Perch, Catios, and More

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Also, nothing I say is medical advice. All photos are of my cats.

Want some easy DIY cat projects? I’ve got for you 11 simple DIY projects you can make at home today. Take a look at this guide for DIY cat toys, cat treats, window perch, catio, DIY litter genie, food puzzle toys, cat bed, and cat paintings.

Pet portraits are easier than you think. Oil painting just takes some practice. I’ll show you my progress below.

DIY projects are a lot of fun, and your cat will be happy to have some new toys. Plus, you have control over the materials used. Most big-box pet companies use toxic materials that are dangerous to pets.

With DIY and handmade, you know your cat is safe. Just keep in mind that these need to be replaced regularly unless you can wash them.

Toys roll around on the floor, and they are in and out of your cat’s mouth. It’s recommended to replace or wash them regularly.

Here are 11 easy DIY cat projects you’ll both love:

Cat toys
Cathouse
Cat tree
Cat bed
Litter genie
Food puzzle toy
Cat treats
Cat scratching post
Cat painting
Cat window perch
Outdoor Catio

Try these out today or save THIS PIN to your Easy DIY Cat board on Pinterest.

1. Cat toys

Making cat toys at home is easy. You can make catnip toys and many different toys from toilet paper rolls.

My cat, Jericho, loves catnip toys. He bats them around and bunny kicks them. The toilet paper roll toys were a big hit too.

Cats love cardboard because it’s made from trees. And trees are nature’s scratching post.

For catnip toys, you will need some fabric (wash before using), needle and thread, a scissor, and a cardboard cutout. I use the side of a box for my cutout. You can make any shape or food item you’d like.

I made catnip shamrocks and carrots for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.

Make sure you use premium organic catnip. I get mine from Purrfect Play on Etsy. You can check her shop here.

Purrfect Play also sells handmade catnip toys if you don’t feel like making these. We have the kitten mitten, and Jericho loves it.

For toilet paper roll toys, you have so many different options. You can make treat-release toys, wand toys, a scratcher with sisal rope, or a mobile (like what babies have in their crib).

Related:

2. Cathouse

DIY cat house is a big hit with cats because it’s made from cardboard. And we know how much cats love boxes!

How many times have you purchased something for your cat, you’re so excited about it, and he ends up liking the box more?

I love Box Yourself’s fun and inspiring energy about this project. Just make sure you use non-toxic glue.

I’d also recommend softening out the edges of the holes so your cat doesn’t get scratched.

3. Cat tree

Cat trees are important for cats to have because they like to climb and rest in high places. I love the video above because it’s cheap, doesn’t require any power tools, and it’s incredibly high.

I’d recommend putting some blankets or carpet around the area so your cat has a soft spot to land if he jumps off.

4. Cat bed

Cats sleep more than half the day, and they like to stay warm and cozy while they nap. Jericho sleeps in bed with us every night, but we still have a few options for private beds.

If you’re crafty, you can sew a bed together. I’m not an expert sewer so my DIY cat bed is just a box and a pillow.

5. Litter genie

The litter genie is great for keeping the litter box area clean. You should scoop the box after your cat goes and clean it out completely once weekly.

I like using a litter genie because it makes scooping and cleaning much easier. It also contains litter waste smell.

But, the litter genie is expensive. It’s almost $20 for the genie itself. Then you have to buy refills for the top part where the waste bags come from. Each refill is around $8.

It’s not very eco friendly or sanitary, either. The genie and refills are made of plastic.

Instead of buying the litter genie, I took the DIY approach. I bought a glass gallon jar with a lid and some dog waste bags.

Glass is much better for sanitary reasons. It won’t trap bacteria as plastic does.

Make sure the opening of the jug is wide enough for your litter scoop. You’ll also want the lip of the jug to be small so that the waste bag can come out easily when full.

6. Food puzzle toy

Food puzzle toys are beneficial to cats because it provides mental stimulation. Wild cats get plenty of stimulation while they hunt. There’s problem-solving, physical activity, and a yummy reward for their hard work.

To recreate the hunting experience indoors, you can make a food puzzle toy using toilet paper rolls. You can also use a cardboard egg carton.

Create different shapes, sizes, and mazes so your cat has to work for his food or treats. Jericho consumes a raw diet, so I can’t use this for his food. I use this as a treat puzzle instead.

His treats are raw, but they are dehydrated. To keep it sanitary, I assembled his puzzle on his foot mat.

Related:

7. Cat treats

Homemade cat treats are much better for your cat because they don’t contain any fillers or unnecessary ingredients.

Cats are obligate carnivores and should only eat meat. Most cat treats on the market contain grains, soy, and corn. The cat’s stomach is not designed to digest these ingredients.

Carbs lower the cat’s stomach acidity. A highly acidic stomach is necessary to help fight pathogens and bacteria.

Just think about how your cat licks his privates after pooing.

Our cat treats should contain meat and meat only.

You can make cat treats at home by using a food dehydrator. Make sure you buy the best quality meat you can find. Organic, no hormones, no fillers, no sodium, etc.

Chicken and turkey are the best options.

8. Cat scratching post

I watched a lot of different videos for this one. Most of which required heavy power tools. I don’t have any of these tools, and I wanted these ideas to be as easy as possible.

This video uses a large rug which is perfect for scratching and climbing. In the end, you will see the kitten rests on the very top of the post too.

Cats love to do all of these things.

9. Cat painting

I am new to oil painting, and I was never super artistic. But, once you get started and practice a lot it’s easy.

First, I learned how to do landscape and nature paintings. I followed along with Bill Alexander (he taught Bob Ross) and Bob Ross.

Next, I moved to cat portraits. You can see my progression in the collage above.

They started as abstract paintings (unintentional), but you can see my brush strokes and color improved significantly.

My most recent cat portrait is below.

By the way, I use water-mixable oils rather than traditional oil paints.

Water mixable is the same grade quality as traditional oil paint. But, they require only water to clean up. This is great for your health and your pet’s health.

I used this video to learn a bit more. Shadows and highlights are important because they create depth and make the painting come to life.

Check out my step-by-step cat portrait process (PDF guide, no opt-in required).

Give it time to load. It’s 9 pages.

10. Cat window perch

Cats love to look out the window and nap in the sun. Window watching is great for mental stimulation. It can help prevent boredom, and it keeps cats entertained while you work.

I like this take on a window perch because it’s easy and doesn’t require power tools like the other videos I watched.

I’d recommend putting something under the box for stronger support.

11. Outdoor Catio

This DIY project requires tools, but it is really easy to assemble. Safety is a huge concern here, so using power tools is much better.

You want to make sure your catio is secure as possible so your cat can’t escape.

Unfortunately, I live in an apartment building so I can’t build a catio yet. But, I’ll make one when we have outdoor space. For now, I take Jericho out on walks in nice weather.

I love DIY cat projects because I like being creative, but I also like to have control over what my cat is exposed to.

You don’t want toxic materials because this can get into the cat’s system and cause harm. Homemade is the way to go because you have control over the materials. Plus, being creative is fun!