DIY toy guide
Fleece-Strip Snuffle Ball
A shaggy knotted ball that hides kibble for nose-led foraging
Strips of fleece knotted into a scruffy 3-D ball create dozens of pockets that trap dry food, turning a handful of kibble into a rewarding scent-and-paw hunt.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Under £2
🧺 You will need
- An old fleece blanket or fleece garment
- Scissors
- A few pieces of dry kibble or small treats
🔧 How to make it
- Cut the fleece into roughly 15 strips, about 2 cm wide and 20 cm long.
- Gather all the strips and tie them together tightly at the centre with one spare strip.
- Scrunch the bundle and add two or three more knots so the strips bunch up into a rough ball.
- Fluff out all the loose ends so there are plenty of gaps and pockets.
- Push kibble or treats deep among the strips and let your cat nose and paw them out.
💡 Tips
For a first go, tuck treats near the surface so your cat quickly learns the game, then hide them deeper as they get the idea. Shake out crumbs after each session.
Safety: Supervise play and retire the ball if it starts shedding strips — a chewed-off length of fleece can be swallowed.
📝 Notes
Machine-washable inside a laundry bag; air-dry and re-fluff.