Ever watched your furry overlord suddenly latch onto a blanket, toy, or even your arm, hugging it tightly while unleashing a furious barrage of kicks from their back legs? That’s the ‘bunny kick,’ a classic feline hunting move. While less charming when directed at human limbs, it’s a perfectly natural instinct. Giving your cat an appropriate outlet for this behaviour is key to their happiness and your limb preservation. Enter the catnip kicker toy – the ultimate victim for those powerful hind-leg attacks!
Sure, you can buy these toys, but where’s the fun in that? Crafting a DIY catnip kicker is surprisingly simple, incredibly cost-effective, and allows you to tailor it perfectly to your cat’s preferences (and your home decor!). Plus, you get the satisfaction of watching your cat go absolutely bonkers over something you made with your own hands. It’s a fantastic way to provide enrichment, encourage exercise, and satisfy those deep-seated predatory urges in a safe and fun way. Ready to become your cat’s favourite toymaker? Let’s get started!
Why Bother Making a Kicker Toy?
Cats in the wild are ambush predators. They stalk, pounce, grab, and then often use those strong back legs to disembowel or subdue larger prey. While our pampered house panthers don’t typically need to wrestle their dinner, the instinct remains powerful. Kicker toys mimic the size and shape of prey, triggering this kicking reflex. It’s not just aggression; it’s instinctual play that provides:
- Physical Exercise: Wrestling and kicking is a great workout, helping keep your cat trim and agile.
- Mental Stimulation: Engaging natural behaviours prevents boredom and related issues like destructive scratching or over-grooming.
- Stress Relief: Play is a fantastic way for cats to burn off excess energy and reduce anxiety.
- Bonding (Indirectly): Providing enriching toys strengthens the bond between you and your cat, showing you understand their needs.
Adding catnip just sends the fun into overdrive for most cats (though about 30% don’t react to it). The nepetalactone in catnip triggers a euphoric response, making playtime even more intense and exciting.
Gathering Your Arsenal (Supplies)
Before you dive in, gather everything you need. This makes the process much smoother. You likely have some of these items already!
- Fabric: You’ll need a piece of sturdy, non-stretchy fabric. Think fleece, canvas, corduroy, denim, or thick cotton. Avoid anything too thin that claws can easily rip, or fabrics with loose weaves that can snag claws. A rectangle around 10-14 inches long and 6-8 inches wide is a good starting point, but feel free to adjust based on your cat’s size. You’ll need one piece this size.
- Thread: Choose a strong thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric. Upholstery thread is excellent for durability.
- Sewing Machine or Needle: A sewing machine makes quick work of the seams, but hand-sewing is perfectly fine too! If hand-sewing, use a strong backstitch for the main seams.
- Scissors: Fabric scissors work best for clean cuts.
- Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill (like the kind used for pillows or stuffed animals) is the most common choice. Ensure it’s non-toxic. You can also repurpose stuffing from old, clean pillows or toys. Alternatively, fabric scraps cut into small pieces can work, but might make the toy heavier.
- Dried Catnip: The star ingredient! Use fresh, high-quality dried catnip for the best reaction. You’ll need a few tablespoons, maybe more if you want it extra potent.
- Optional Extras:
- Crinkle Material: Clean, empty chip bags (washed and dried thoroughly!) or purpose-made crinkle material add enticing sounds.
- Bells: Small jingle bells can be added inside (ensure they are securely enclosed within the stuffing so they can’t be ingested).
- Measuring Tool: Ruler or measuring tape.
- Pins: To hold the fabric together while sewing.
Let’s Build This Thing: Step-by-Step
Okay, supplies gathered? Cat safely observing from a distance (or maybe “helping” by sitting on the fabric)? Let’s create a masterpiece of feline fun.
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric
Lay your chosen fabric flat. Measure and cut out your rectangle. A good starting size is about 12 inches by 7 inches. Remember, this will be folded in half lengthwise, so the final toy will be roughly 12 inches long and about 3 inches wide (minus seam allowances). If you want a fatter kicker, cut a wider rectangle. If your cat is small, make it shorter. Ensure your cuts are reasonably straight, but don’t stress about perfection – your cat won’t judge your seam allowances.
Step 2: The Initial Sew
Fold the fabric rectangle in half lengthwise, with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other. You should now have a long, thinner rectangle (e.g., 12 inches by 3.5 inches). Pin along the long open edge and one of the short ends.
Using your sewing machine or needle and thread, sew along the pinned long edge and the one short end, leaving the other short end completely open. Use about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch seam allowance. It’s a good idea to backstitch (sew back and forth a few stitches) at the beginning and end of your seams to secure them.
Pro Tip: Double-stitching the seams, especially the long one, adds extra durability against those powerful kicks.
Step 3: Turn It Right Side Out
Before turning, you can snip the corners diagonally near the stitching (but not through it!) on the sewn short end. This helps create sharper corners when turned. Carefully reach inside the fabric tube you’ve created and grab the sewn short end. Pull it through the open end, turning the entire tube right side out. Use a chopstick, knitting needle, or a similar blunt object to gently push out the corners so they are nice and defined. You should now have a fabric tube with the right side facing out and one open end.
Step 4: Stuffing and Catnip Magic
This is where the kicker comes to life! Start by grabbing small handfuls of your chosen stuffing. Begin pushing it down into the tube towards the closed end. Don’t pack it too tightly at first.
Now, incorporate the catnip. A good strategy is to layer: put in some stuffing, sprinkle in a generous pinch or spoonful of catnip, add more stuffing, more catnip, and so on. This distributes the enticing scent throughout the toy. If you’re using crinkle material, cut a piece slightly smaller than your fabric tube and roll or fold it, inserting it along with the stuffing. If adding bells, bury them deep within the center of the stuffing.
Continue stuffing until the kicker is firm but still has a little give. You want it substantial enough for your cat to grab onto, but not rock hard. Overstuffing can make it difficult to close and less fun to wrestle. Leave about an inch of empty space at the open end to allow for easy closing.
Freshness Matters! Use potent, recently purchased dried catnip for the best results. Old catnip loses its effectiveness over time. Store your unused catnip in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (even the freezer!) to preserve its appeal. Your cat will thank you for the premium stuff!
Step 5: Closing Time
This is the final construction step! Take the open end of the fabric tube. Fold the raw edges inwards (towards the inside of the toy) by about 1/2 inch, creating a clean edge. Pin the folded edges together.
Now, you need to securely sew this opening closed. Hand-sewing often provides the neatest finish here. Use a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch) for a seam that’s barely noticeable. If you prefer, you can use a whipstitch or even carefully sew it closed on the machine very close to the edge, although this might be bulkier. The most important thing is that the seam is strong. Double-check it for any gaps where stuffing might escape.
Pimp Your Kicker: Customization Ideas
The basic kicker is great, but why stop there?
- Add Tails or Fins: Before sewing the final end closed, you can insert securely stitched fabric strips, sturdy ribbons (avoid thin ones that can be easily ingested), or felt shapes to mimic tails or fins. Ensure these are very securely attached.
- Different Shapes: While the tube is classic, you could try a fish shape or a simple log. Just remember to keep it long enough for kicking.
- Texture Play: Use fabrics with different textures – maybe one side fleece and the other corduroy?
- Refillable Pouch: For advanced crafters, consider sewing a small pouch with a Velcro closure inside before stuffing, allowing you to refresh the catnip later.
The Grand Unveiling
Your masterpiece is complete! Don’t just toss it at your cat. Place it on the floor near them and let them discover it on their own terms. Some cats dive right in, grabbing and kicking instantly. Others might sniff, rub, and investigate before engaging. If your cat is one of the ~30% unaffected by catnip, they may still enjoy the shape and texture for wrestling play. You can also wiggle it enticingly to spark their interest.
Play Safely! Always supervise your cat during playtime, especially with new or homemade toys. Regularly inspect the kicker toy for signs of wear and tear, such as holes, loose threads, or exposed stuffing. Remove the toy immediately if it becomes damaged to prevent potential choking hazards or ingestion of materials.
Making your own catnip kicker toy is a rewarding project. It saves money, reduces waste if you use scrap fabric, and provides your cat with a tailored source of enrichment and fun. Seeing your cat joyfully attacking the toy you created is a special kind of satisfaction. So grab some fabric, unleash your inner crafter, and prepare for some hilariously intense bunny kicks!
