Quick answer: A treat ball DIY takes five minutes: cut a few holes slightly larger than the treats into a toilet roll tube, a small plastic bottle or a clean cardboard box, add a few dry treats, and close the ends by folding. Never use string, ribbon, elastic or tape the cat could chew off, and only leave a cat alone with balls that have none.
Indoor cats often have more energy than outlets. Hunting, which normally takes up a big part of a cat's day, is replaced by a full bowl. A treat ball turns a few pieces of food into a short hunt, which can ease boredom and the behaviours that come with it.
Home-made treat balls are quick to make, but some designs use string or ties that are unsafe if the cat plays unsupervised. This guide gives three builds and a simple set of string rules. For the full range of projects, see our DIY cat toys and puzzle feeders hub.
Why a Treat Ball DIY Helps Bored Indoor Cats
Cats are built to search for and work for food. A treat ball asks the cat to bat, chase and nudge before it gets a reward. That mix of movement and problem-solving uses some of the energy that might otherwise go into scratching furniture, knocking things off shelves or night-time zoomies.
International Cat Care suggests starting puzzles at an easy level and keeping some food in a bowl so the cat does not get frustrated or go hungry. A treat ball should be a game, not the only way to eat.
Our guide to stopping boredom behaviours with rotating DIY toys explains how to build a weekly toy rotation around a few simple puzzles.
The Supervise-String Rules
These rules decide whether a toy can be left out or must be put away after play. They apply to every treat ball and to most home-made toys.
- No string, ribbon, yarn, elastic, rubber bands or pipe cleaners on any toy left out unsupervised.
- Toys with any of those parts are play-with-you only, then put away in a closed drawer.
- No tape on the outside of a treat ball; fold or tuck the ends instead.
- No small parts that could be swallowed, such as bottle caps or beads.
- Check every toy before and after play for tears and loose pieces.
International Cat Care advises owners to avoid toys made from pipe cleaners, ribbon or string. VCA Animal Hospitals adds that thread and string can be life-threatening if swallowed, because they can cause intestinal damage. If you suspect your cat has swallowed string, do not pull it; call your vet.
Our egg carton puzzle guide applies the same rules to a different five-minute build.
Build One: Toilet Roll Treat Ball
Take an empty toilet roll tube. Cut two or three holes in the sides, each slightly larger than the treats you plan to use. Fold one end closed by pressing the edges inward, drop in a few treats, and fold the other end the same way.
The cat bats the tube, it rolls, and treats fall out. To make it easier, cut bigger holes. To make it harder, cut fewer or smaller holes. There is nothing to swallow apart from cardboard, so this one can be left out, though you should still bin it once it is chewed. Our toilet paper roll feeder guide shows variations.
Build Two: Small Bottle Roller
A small, clean, dry plastic bottle makes a sturdier treat ball. Remove the cap and the plastic ring around the neck, since both are small enough to swallow. Cut two or three holes in the sides with a craft knife, then sand or file the edges smooth.
- Use a small bottle the cat can push easily.
- Remove the cap, ring and label completely.
- Smooth every hole with fine sandpaper.
- Wash and dry thoroughly before adding treats.
- Discard if cracked or chewed, as sharp edges can form.
Because the bottle is plastic, it lasts longer than cardboard but can develop sharp edges if bitten. Check it after each session.
Build Three: Box Shake Ball
A small, clean cardboard box, such as a tea or tissue box with the plastic film removed, can be packed with crumpled paper and treats. Close the flaps by tucking them, not taping them. Cut a couple of holes in the sides.
The cat has to roll and shake the box to get treats past the paper. This is a slightly harder puzzle, so start with fewer paper scraps and more treats.
Once the box is torn, collect the paper and recycle it. Our guide on when to retire a DIY toy lists the signs that any toy has had its day.
Getting the Difficulty Right
A puzzle that is too hard is frustrating; one that is too easy is boring. Watch your cat. If it gives up quickly or walks away, make the holes bigger or use fewer barriers inside. If it empties the ball in seconds, make the holes smaller.
| Cat's reaction | What it means | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Walks away quickly | Too hard | Bigger holes, more treats |
| Empties it in seconds | Too easy | Smaller holes, add paper |
| Plays for a few minutes, then rests | About right | Keep and rotate |
| Chews the toy instead | Frustrated or bored | Swap to an easier build |
Our guides comparing DIY and store puzzle feeders and the version for bored indoor cats explain challenge levels in more detail.
Where and When to Offer the Treat Ball
Choose a clear floor area with room for the ball to roll, such as a hallway or the middle of a rug. Avoid spaces next to stairs, under heavy furniture where the ball can get stuck, or near cables the cat might tangle with while chasing. Hard floors make the ball roll further, which some cats love and others find too fast; a rug slows the game down.
Timing matters as much as location. Many indoor cats are most active around dawn and dusk. Offering a treat ball just before you leave for work, or in the early evening, can take the edge off the energy that otherwise turns into furniture scratching or night-time chaos.
- Morning: one treat ball before you leave the house.
- Evening: a short play session, then a treat ball as a wind-down.
- Weekends: hide two or three balls around a room for a longer search.
- Multi-cat homes: one ball per cat, in separate spaces, to avoid squabbles.
Keep sessions short at first. Five minutes is plenty for a cat new to puzzles. As the cat learns how the ball works, it will play longer on its own, and you can gradually increase the challenge.
Counting Treats Into the Daily Ration
Treats in a ball still count as food. Use a few pieces of your cat's dry food rather than extra treats where possible, and subtract them from the daily amount. That way, the game does not quietly add weight.
Do not use treat balls as the main way to feed a cat. Keep the regular meals in a bowl, as iCatCare advises, and use the ball for a small portion. This also means the cat never has to work hard just to eat.
Ending the Game Calmly
Treat balls can rev a cat up. After a session, iCatCare suggests ending play with a wand toy that lets the cat make a final catch. You can also finish with a short grooming session or a calm meal.
Put away any toy with string or parts after play, and leave only the safe, string-free treat balls out. Rotate the builds every few days so each one stays interesting.
If your cat still seems restless after daily play, consider other changes: more climbing space, a window perch or a second short play session in the evening.
Homemade Treat Ball Questions
Are homemade treat balls safe for cats?
They can be if they contain no string, ribbon, elastic, tape or small parts. A toilet roll tube or a smooth-edged small bottle with treat holes is usually fine. Check toys before and after play, bin them when chewed, and only leave out toys with no detachable parts.
Can I leave my cat alone with a DIY treat ball?
Only if the ball has no string, ribbon, elastic, tape or small parts the cat could swallow. Toys with any of those should be used while you are present and then put away. String can cause serious intestinal problems if swallowed, so it is not worth the risk.
What treats should go in a cat treat ball?
Use a few pieces of your cat's normal dry food, or small dry treats, and count them into the day's ration. Avoid soft or sticky treats, which clog holes. Keep most meals in a bowl so the cat does not have to work hard for all its food.
How do I make a treat ball harder for my cat?
Make the holes smaller, cut fewer of them, or add crumpled paper inside so treats take longer to come out. Increase difficulty gradually. If your cat gives up or starts chewing the toy instead, step back to an easier version so the game stays rewarding.
