Laundry Day

Who knew that a kitchen cloth that had been rinsed in bleach could be so much fun...

The Best Cheap Cat Toys #3: The Changing of the Bed

Yeah, yeah, I know it's not technically a "toy" but it sure qualifies as cheap. And for us, having a little furry helper means that bed-making is a whole lot more fun. Somehow there seem to be many fewer squabbles about how tight the corners are or whether the blanket is on straight.

Princess won't help with the daily bed-making chore, but only joins us when it's time to make up the bed with freshly washed sheets. I guess everyone likes the smell of clean laundry.

First step is to burrow into the pile of sheets, in the hopes of being discovered. Then comes the excitement of the sheet floating overhead, until it lands. Sometimes there is musical accompaniment in the form of purring.

Finally, the bed is put back together. A nap would be good, except that the bed-making team is simply too revved up to sleep.

The Best Cheap Cat Toys #2: Underwear

If the designated laundry folder at your house is as conscientious as the one here, he will keep folding those creaky old pairs of underwear without noticing just how unsuitable they are for wearing. So when you have underpants that really needs to be consigned to the Rag Bag (or the garbage can):

Turn the elastic at the top into a favorite cat toy.

Cut out the top elastic. Use the bottom portion to wash the car, re-stain an old piece of furniture, or simply throw that heroic article away.

Take that circular piece of elastic and cut through it to make one long piece.

So much the better if you have two dead pairs. That way the two pieces of elastic can be knotted together to form a longer cord: much less strain on your back at playtime.

You can stop at this point and have a great toy, or,

for even more enjoyment, dig out an old sock (purple or otherwise) and pin it to one end of the elastic cord.

(The optional black streamers on the end are narrow strips cut from an old sweatshirt. Cats get bored with toys, but a few small imaginative changes can bring back that old excitement.)

This toy is great for kittens because they can't swallow it, the way they can with string, yarn, rubber bands and all those other cute and dangerous play items.

Throw it in the washing machine when it gets grungy. It will last for years and years of safe fun.

Just ask Princess!

The Best Cheap Cat Toys: #1: Egg Cartons

At three months

Cardboard Egg Cartons. Absolutely have to be cardboard, 

or chewing them is really unpleasant. Or so I've heard.

Simply throw them in the recycling bin after too much fun.

The entertainment lasts for years.

At three years