Quick answer: To make a toilet paper roll feeder, cut three or four holes slightly larger than your cat's kibble, fold one end closed, add a few pieces of food, then fold the other end. The cat bats the roll to release food. Use it only with supervision, never add string, ribbon or rubber bands, and throw it away once it is soggy or torn.
Indoor cats often have food handed to them in a bowl and nothing to do for the rest of the day. In the wild, cats spend much of their time hunting for many small meals. A simple treat feeder puts a little of that searching and batting back, and a cardboard tube is the fastest way to start. It takes about five minutes and costs nothing.
The catch is safety. Cardboard toys are only as safe as what you add to them. This guide covers the build, three versions to keep things interesting, and clear rules on string and supervision. For more cheap builds, see the DIY cat toy hub and toilet paper roll toys.
What you need
- One clean, empty toilet paper roll (plain brown, no glue residue or printing).
- Sharp scissors or a craft knife.
- Your cat's regular dry food or small, hard treats.
- A pencil to mark holes.
That is all. No glue, no tape and no string. Using your cat's regular kibble, measured out of its daily portion, keeps the feeder from adding extra calories.
Basic version: the 5-minute roll
- Flatten one end of the roll and fold the corners in to close it.
- Mark three or four holes around the tube, each a little wider than one kibble piece.
- Cut the holes with scissors or a knife, keeping fingers clear.
- Drop in 8 to 12 pieces of kibble.
- Flatten and fold the other end closed.
- Roll it across the floor in front of your cat, letting a piece or two fall out.
Most cats figure it out within a few minutes. If yours sniffs and walks away, cut bigger holes so food comes out with the slightest nudge, then make them smaller as the cat learns.
Three difficulty levels
| Level | Build | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Big holes, ends folded loosely | First-time cats, seniors |
| Medium | Kibble-size holes, ends folded tight | Most adult cats |
| Hard | Small holes plus scrunched paper inside | Clever, food-driven cats |
Change the level every few days. Cats lose interest in a puzzle they have solved, and a slightly harder version brings back the challenge. For cats that need weight control, read our zero-waste feeder builds for more ideas.
Pyramid version for extra variety
Cut six rolls in half to make short rings. Stand them upright in a small cardboard box lid, stack a second layer on top, and drop a piece of kibble into each ring. Your cat has to fish each piece out with a paw. This version stays in place, which suits cats who do not like chasing.
Avoid glue in this version if you can; the rings hold each other up in a box lid. If you must glue, use a small amount of non-toxic glue stick and let it dry fully.
Five-minute variations with other household items
Egg carton forage tray
Put one piece of kibble in each cup of a cardboard egg carton and close the lid loosely. Cats nose and paw the lid open. Remove any plastic label first.
Tissue box dig
Fill an empty tissue box with crumpled plain paper and drop treats in. Pull off the plastic film around the opening, which can be chewed and swallowed.
Muffin tin cover-up
Put kibble in a few cups of a muffin tin and cover each cup with a ping-pong ball. Cats lift or bat the balls to find the food. This one is reusable and easy to wash.
Cardboard box hunt
Hide two or three rolls inside a shallow box with a few holes cut in the sides. Cats reach in through the holes like they are fishing. Pair it with a cardboard castle for a bigger play area.
Rotate these with the roll feeder so your cat meets a new puzzle every few days.
String rules: why we never add them
Many online tutorials hang tubes from string or add ribbon tails. Do not. Cats that swallow string, ribbon, yarn, thread or rubber bands can develop what vets call a linear foreign body: the material catches in the gut and can saw through the intestine as it moves. It often needs surgery. Keep the basics of a safe home in mind with the ASPCA's general cat care guide.
- No string, ribbon, yarn, elastic, rubber bands or tinsel on the feeder.
- No hanging feeders; a dangling tube invites chewing on its line.
- If you use wand toys with strings, put them away after play, out of reach.
- Never leave a cat alone with a toy that has a string.
Supervision rules
- Stay in the room for the first few sessions to see how your cat plays.
- Take the feeder away if your cat starts chewing and swallowing cardboard.
- Throw it away once it is wet, soggy, torn or flattened.
- Do not use rolls with plastic coatings, glue residue or printed ink.
- Keep pieces small enough to be safe but too big to swallow whole; a whole roll is fine, tiny scraps are not.
Most cats bat and shred cardboard without eating it. A few chew it up. If your cat is a chewer, use a hard plastic treat ball instead.
Kittens, seniors and multi-cat homes
Kittens learn quickly and love feeders, but they chew more. Use the easy version, stay with them and swap rolls often. Older cats may not chase a rolling tube, so set the pyramid version on a rug at floor level where they can work at it while lying down.
In homes with several cats, give each cat its own feeder in a separate spot, ideally in a different room, so a confident cat does not take everything. Watch for one cat guarding feeders; if that happens, feed puzzles during separate quiet times. Short training sessions using feeders as rewards also help shy cats build confidence. See the reward-based training hub.
A good sign that the feeder is working: your cat starts waiting near the spot where it usually appears, and naps calmly afterwards instead of pacing or crying for food.
How to fit the feeder into a daily routine
Feeders work best as part of a routine rather than a random treat. Try one or two short sessions a day, at times your cat is usually restless, such as early morning or evening.
| Time | Activity | Food |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Toilet roll feeder on the floor | 10–15% of daily kibble |
| Midday | Hidden feeder in a box or under a chair | 10% of daily kibble |
| Evening | Wand play, then a final feeder | 10–15% of daily kibble |
| Rest of day | Normal meals | Remaining portion |
Measure the day's food in the morning, then take feeder portions out of that amount. This prevents overfeeding.
Signs your bored cat needs more than a feeder
Cardboard feeders help, but boredom has many sources. Signs your cat needs more enrichment include constant meowing at night, overgrooming, scratching furniture, chasing other pets or eating too fast. Combine feeders with wand play, window perches and climbing spaces. The International Cat Care guide to play has ideas for indoor cats, and Ohio State's Indoor Pet Initiative covers enrichment needs in more detail.
Our small-space cat setup guide and the zero-waste toy roundup add more cheap options.
Recycling and safe disposal
Once a roll is soggy or shredded, put it in the recycling bin if it is clean, or the trash if it is dirty or wet with saliva. Store spare rolls in a box out of reach so your cat does not chew the stash. A fresh roll every few days keeps the feeder clean and interesting.
Rolls from paper towels are larger and work for bigger kibble; cut them to toilet roll length so they roll smoothly.
Toilet paper roll cat feeder: FAQ
Is it safe for cats to play with toilet paper rolls?
Yes, with you nearby, provided the roll is plain cardboard with no string, ribbon, glue residue or plastic coating. A bored indoor cat may bat it hard and then try to shred it, so watch the first few sessions. Throw the roll away once it is soggy, torn or chewed, and pick it up when the meal is finished.
How many holes should I cut?
Start with three or four holes a little wider than your cat's kibble, so pieces drop out with a gentle bat. As your cat gets quicker, make a fresh roll with fewer or smaller holes to raise the challenge. A hole punch or the tip of sharp scissors works well; snip off any ragged flaps that could tear loose.
Can I hang the roll from a string?
No, hanging the roll from string, ribbon or elastic adds a swallowing risk, and string that is swallowed can bunch up the intestine and may need surgery. Keep the feeder free-rolling on the floor, or wedge it loosely inside a box for a fishing-style puzzle. Either gives a bored cat plenty of movement with nothing it can swallow.
What food should I put inside?
Use your cat's regular dry kibble or small hard treats, taken out of its normal daily portion so the feeder adds activity rather than calories. Avoid wet food, which soaks the cardboard. Mixing a few pieces of a favourite treat into the kibble can win over a reluctant cat, then cut back once it understands the game.
My cat ignores the feeder. What now?
Make it easier first: widen the holes, leave one end open and drop a couple of pieces out in front of the cat. Roll it gently past its paws to trigger the chase, and offer it just before a usual mealtime when your cat is hungry. Some cats need three or four sessions before they link the roll with food.
