Young cats are always keen to play and we pander to this by buying toys to keep them entertained. There are many types of toy on the market, but some of the more effective are the ones that can move by themselves. This sparks the hunting instinct within our pet.

This is how you can make your own self-propelled toy that will cost you nothing but a few household items!What you’ll need:Empty cotton reelA standard candleMatchstickA rubber band about measuring about 6 cmA pencil about 10 cm longThe toy is based on the old fashioned “toy tank”. Firstly, cut notches into the lip at both ends of the reel (if it’s a wooden one). Space them equally arounf the reel, about one centimetre apart, these will give it grip as it moves around the floor. If you’re using a plastic reel, use a file to make the notches. Second, push the rubber band through the middle of the reel, leaving the band to sticking out of both ends. Trim the matchstick so it is just slightly shorter than the width of the reel, place this through a loop at one of the rubber band and pull the other end so that it is tight against face of the reel. Fix it in place with sticky tape. Take the candle and cut off a 15 mm piece, bore a hole where the wick is with the blade of a pair of scissors, make it large enough for the rubber band. Pull the unused loop of the rubber band through the candle and fasten it off with a knot. To finish, push the pencil between the knot and candle, through the rubber band loop.It’s ready! All you need to do now is wind up the rubber band, using the pencil, about 20 times. Hold the pencil whilst you place the “tank” on the floor near your pet, let it go and it will trundle off on it’s own, making it the perfect target for your cats attention.If you like:To increase the interest, glue the edge of a small piece of leather to the barrel of the cotton reel, it’ll make a “slapping’ sound on hard floors as it trundles about. Or, if you’ve got some cat mint, glue some to the barrel of the cotton reel – irresistable (to cats).