DIY toy guide
Tennis-Ball Treat Dispenser
One old tennis ball becomes a batting-and-foraging puzzle
A single slit in an old tennis ball turns it into a treat dispenser that rewards your cat for batting, rolling and pouncing — slowing down fast eaters and engaging the hunting instinct.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Cost
- Under £1
🧺 You will need
- 1 clean, old tennis ball
- A sharp craft knife or box cutter
- A handful of dry kibble or small treats
- A cutting board
🔧 How to make it
- Rest the tennis ball on a cutting board and hold it steady.
- Carefully cut a single straight slit about 3–4 cm long across one side using the craft knife — an adult job, keep fingers well clear.
- Squeeze the ball gently to check the slit opens like a mouth and springs shut again.
- Drop 5–8 pieces of kibble or small treats through the slit.
- Show your cat how it rolls, then let them bat and paw it so treats fall out one or two at a time.
💡 Tips
- Start with a longer slit and larger treats so early wins come easily, then make a new ball with a shorter slit as your cat gets the hang of it.
- Use part of the daily food ration inside so the treats do not add extra calories.
Safety: Only use a full-size tennis ball that is too big to be swallowed, and inspect it regularly — retire it if the felt starts to peel or the rubber cracks, as loose fuzz and fragments are a choking hazard. Supervise the first few sessions.
📝 Notes
Foraging toys like this satisfy the natural drive to work for food and help prevent boredom in indoor cats. Rotate it out of sight every few days to keep it novel.