DIY toy guide
Feather Wand
The ultimate interactive hunting toy — costs pennies to make
A wand toy mimics live bird prey and triggers the full feline hunting sequence. This version lasts longer than most shop-bought wands.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Cost
- Under £2
🧺 You will need
- 1 wooden dowel (30–45 cm) or bamboo garden cane
- 60–90 cm of thin cord or fishing line
- A handful of feathers (craft shop or repurposed from old feather duster)
- Small jingle bell (optional)
- Strong tape or drill + small eye screw
🔧 How to make it
- Tie or secure the cord to one end of the dowel — a small eye screw drilled into the tip is more secure than tape alone.
- Thread the feathers onto the free end of the cord, layering 3–6 feathers and tying firmly with a double knot.
- Add a small jingle bell above the feather cluster if desired — the sound increases appeal for many cats.
- Test the wand by waving it gently. The feathers should flutter unpredictably.
- During play, mimic bird behaviour: swoop overhead, land briefly, then dash away. Let your cat "catch" it periodically to complete the hunting sequence.
- Store out of reach between sessions — unsupervised play with string toys is a swallowing hazard.
💡 Tips
Replace feathers when they become ratty — novelty is key. Rotate this toy in and out every few days to maintain excitement. Try dragging it under a towel or around corners to imitate hiding prey.
Safety: Always supervise wand play. Never leave string or cord accessible unsupervised — ingested string can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages.
📝 Notes
Store in a closed drawer between play sessions. Replace feathers every few weeks.
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