What you need

  • Cardboard box
  • Toilet-roll tubes
  • Your pet's regular food or kibble
  • Small treats — optional

How to do it

  1. Trace around the end of a toilet-roll tube on the lid of a shoebox, three or four times.
  2. Cut out the circles just inside the lines so the tubes fit snugly.
  3. Push the tubes into the holes and drop a few pieces of kibble or treats into each one.
  4. Put it down and let your cat fish the food out with their paw.

⚠️ Safety

Supervision: Stay with your pet the whole time.

ASPCA asks owners to stay with their cat whenever DIY toys are out, and to take any piece out of the cat's mouth at once if they try to eat it. Take the food from the daily amount.

👀 What to watch for

If your cat can't reach the food, cut the tubes shorter or put a few pieces on top first.

Sources

Last checked November 3, 2026. These activities are for healthy pets — if yours has a health or behavior condition, ask your vet which games suit them.