Cat Toy Progress

The progress I have is I have the materials bought and a spinning prototype that doesn’t work.

The toy consists of a sturdy, weighted base. The base is designed to ensure stability, preventing the toy from tipping over during play. I’ve decided to take out the spinning aspect as I tried to prototype it and it just didn’t work. I don’t have the most stable materials or budget to do so. Multiple arms will extend outward from the center. These will hold various hanging attachments, which will allow for dynamic interaction as my cat engages with it.

Each arm will have holes for detachable toys, allowing easy replacement and customization. This flexibility enables me to swap out different toy attachments to keep my cat engaged and entertained over time. I wish the spinning mechanism itself worked as it would add an extra layer of enrichment—where my cat bats at one of the hanging toys, the entire structure rotates.

I will focus on clean lines, crazy colors and modular components. The arms extending from the center will be angled deliberately to create a visually striking, sculptural appearance. The abstract form allows for a wide range of color schemes and materials.

The spinning cat toy is made from accessible materials. I have bought most things I need from Art Parts and McGuckin.

I’ve chosen wooden dowels or reinforced cardboard tubes instead of PVC pipes for the arms as they provide an easier to work with solution. The spinning mechanism will be created using a fidget spinner.

The hanging attachments will vary, featuring fabric toys, feathers, small plushies, or jingling bells, all securely fastened to the arms. The scratching post, which will be applied onto the pole structure that is attached to the fidget spinner, provides an additional interactive feature.

This spinning cat toy merges abstract art with cat enrichment. By prioritizing movement, interchangeability, and modern aesthetics, it will be a unique, visually appealing, and functional piece. This is designed for my cat to be entertained while fitting into contemporary spaces.