Cats are like babies: They get bored easily and need new toys and challenges to be entertained. Lucky for them, you have a 3D printer, so why not share the joys of 3D printing with your furry friend?
In this article, we’ve gathered a list of some amazing models you can 3D print, including toys, feeders, and accessories. The best part is, they’re (almost) all for free! Print some for your own home or as a gift for the craziest cat lover in your life.
If you want to pamper your pet with prints but don’t have the setup to do it yourself, check out Craftcloud. You can select the materials and colors for your print, then choose the supplier that can get it to you first. Your cat will be purring in no time.
Now, let’s take a look at these practical accessories you can print for your feline companion.
Toys
According to WayOfCats, there’s nothing better to catch a kitty’s attention than something that twists and turns and offers motion along its length. This is because cats have a vision system that’s keyed to motion.
With that in mind, we’ve assembled a collection of moving toys you can print for yourself, that are sure to keep your cat entertained.
Punching Bag
We’re pitching Hollywood the next sequel to one of the greatest boxing movies, Rocky C: Paws of Furry. While we wait for a reply (must be lost in the mail), the next best thing is this cat punching bag.
This model is composed of three parts and prints easily without supports. The creator recommends scaling down the top of the container, but notes it’s not necessary.
For some feline frenzy filming, throw some catnip in the bag and watch the action crank up to 11!
- Who designed it? ModularMushro
- How printable/popular is it? There are five confirmed makes showcasing an array of different colors and happy cats.
- Where to find it? Printables
Fishing Rod
Not only is this fishing rod toy ideal to put your cat to the chase, but it’s also a very fun print! Even better, it comes with clear assembly instructions. When put together, it results in a moving structure, as it has a functional ratchet mechanism with a 3D printed spring for reeling action. People who’ve made it so far have said their cats loved it right away!
The creator of this toy stated that they used a 0.2-mm layer height and a 15-25% infill density to print the pieces for the fishing rod. They also mentioned that the only part that needs supports activated is the WinderBase model. In addition to the 3D printed parts, you’ll need a 3/16-inch dowel, however long you want, some string, and a cat toy to attach to the end.
- Who designed it? vjapolitzer
- How printable/popular is it? This nifty fishing rod has 20 makes so far. Though it can be printed with PLA just fine, it’s recommended to print the spring in ABS or PETG to reduce its wear with time.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Ping Pong Ball Field
This is a pretty easy project that will give your cat hours of fun. The only things you’ll need are your 3D printer, filament, and a ping pong ball.
The model is composed of two parts, neither of which need support. The top part clips onto the base, but you can also glue it. One of the holes is a little bigger so that even if you do decide to glue the top, you can still get your ping pong ball back if needed.
- Who designed it? WTFestiva
- How printable/popular is it? This print has one remix and two makes, and they look absolutely amazing. The recommended infill is 20%, and it can be printed with PLA.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Treat Dispenser Puzzle
This food puzzle toy is a great way to entertain your cat while giving them a treat. All you have to do is fill it up with food and watch them roll it around, trying to figure out how to get at the treasure within.
The model isn’t very complicated, so it should be a pretty easy print. The designer recommends 0% infill with a 0.2-mm resolution.
- Who designed it? jonsprints
- How printable/popular is it? There’s been a reported print and over 940 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Simple Spheres
Every cat owner knows how much their feline friends enjoy chasing little toys around the house, and these are the perfect target. A super simple design allows for hours of playtime! These balls are a great way to replace boring old toys, and you can mix and match colors and customize them to your liking. This print should be very doable. Just remember that it’s a spherical lattice structure, so you shouldn’t need supports. The designer recommends printing at a 0.3-mm resolution and with a raft.
If you want something a little more complicated, there’s also this double ball, which will never roll straight and will entertain your cat for hours! The small ball is printed directly inside the larger one, an incredible feat of 3D printing.
- Who designed it? pmoews
- How printable/popular is it? It’s been printed at least one time and cited as the starting point for another project, meaning it’s very printable.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Spinning Toy
This toy was inspired by fidget spinners. It’s very clever in that it can be filled with food, and when rotated by the cat, the food will go out through small holes on the sides of the containers due to the centrifugal force. Your cat will be blown away when the food seemingly appears out of nowhere.
In addition to the printed parts, you’ll need a 608 ball bearing, which is the same one used for fidget spinners or in-line skates. There are files to print this in a variety of sizes, not only to change the height of the model, but also for the holes in the containers to allow for different-sized treats.
- Who designed it? JoeGu
- How printable/popular is it? This toy has five makes. You need to print two boxes, two caps, one axis, and one base.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Snakes on Strings
Fishing rod-style toys will forever be a favorite of cats, so why not 3D print your own? The creator of this design suggests using bright colors to attract your furry friend, so this is the perfect opportunity to go all out and spice up your cat’s toy collection.
This print is a little complicated because it’s a print-in-place design with flexible joints. On the other hand, it doesn’t need supports and can be printed at 10% infill.
- Who designed it? LalaithNimdae
- How printable/popular is it? Over 1,600 people have downloaded this design, and there’s a companion model of an octopus!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Catoku
In need of another way to have some fun with your cat? Catoku is a twist on the popular sudoku game that your cat can play. The project uses movable squares that fit inside a small playing field; you can hide a treat underneath one of the squares and watch your cat move the squares until it finds it!
The creator of Catoku provided a lot of the printing specifications they used to make the models. These specifications include a 0.3-mm layer height with an 8% infill density for the square playing field and a 0.2-mm layer height with an 8% infill density for the movable square pieces. Just be aware that there’s a small price attached to this model, but the results are worth it!
- Who designed it? grillinmuffins
- How printable/popular is it? This Catoku toy project has two makes shared by the community and over 450 downloads.
- Where to find it? Cults
Laser Entertainer
Have you ever gotten to the point where you’re just too busy to entertain your cat? Well, you’re not alone, and that’s where this laser entertainer robot comes in! Thanks to the detailed instructions, this creation should be easy to make and use, keeping you and your companion happy.
This setup requires some purchases, but the print itself is very simple and easy. There are only three parts, which, with the purchased products, come together to form the toy.
- Who designed it? mkarvonen
- How printable/popular is it? While only one person has printed it, more than 13,800 have viewed the project, and over 150 have favorited it.
- Where to find it? Instructables
Feeders
With a bit of work and some simple 3D printing, you can make your cat’s eating experience unique. Here we show you four amazing feeders, including automatic ones so that you have extra time to create, a slow feeder for chubby cats, and a double feeder for double feline power. We’re also including a drinking pond and a dish with… a cat design. So that there’s no doubt about who’s running the show.
It’s important to remember that since these prints will come into contact with food, the filament used must be safe for the cat. If you’re not sure about what filaments you can use, be sure to check our article on food-safe filaments.
Drinking Pond
Easy to print and easy to clean and refill, this watering hole is the perfect place for your feline friend to cool down and quench their thirst. We’re very partial to the rounded design and are delighted to see the creative filament colors some makers used for their prints.
The author recommends four perimeters and five top layers to make sure it’s watertight. It should print fine in either PLA or PETG. Just be sure to use a food-safe filament!
- Who designed it? JohK
- How printable/popular is it? There are 60 shared makes of this practical pond. The initial version had some minor issues, but the author fixed them in Version 2.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Automatic Food Dispenser
Specially designed for dispensing cat treats, this automatic feeder will keep your cat from bothering you for food in the morning. The project includes a video tutorial, as well as links to the part list, code, and schematics.
In addition to the 3D printed parts, this fun and practical cat feeder uses an Arduino microcontroller. It’s a fairly complex construction, so it’s a good combination of various elements if you’re looking to be both hands-on and screen-on in putting together a pet feeder. The creator also has a Patreon if you’re a fan of this project style.
- Who designed it? Electronoobs
- How printable/popular is it? The parts should be simple to print, though the project is quite complex to construct. The designer printed the parts in PLA with a 0.25-mm resolution and 20% infill.
- Where to find it? Electronoobs
Slow Food Dish
Many a master knows the dreadful sound that comes after their cat’s eaten a little too quickly. The solution? Slow down their food intake.
This design is very easy to print, and there are three different versions to meet your printing requirements. You don’t even need supports!
- Who designed it? mowi
- How printable/popular is it? At least two people have printed this design, which looks pretty easy to recreate.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Dual Feeder Adapter
This is an ideal print if you have (or plan to build) an automatic feeder but you have two cats. This way, you won’t have to spend double the money and time!
The clever multi-feeder consists of one part that you’ll need to print twice. It provides a division for the food’s path, allowing both your kitties to be fed at once.
- Who designed it? riley porter
- How printable/popular is it? The dual feeder has over 1,100 downloads. Supports are recommended for the inclined plane.
- Where to find it? YouMagine
Slow Feeder
This is a slow feeder designed for cats or small pets who love their food, and maybe need some help with portion control. Food can be inserted into the feeding tube, which is closed with a screw cap. The tube rests on the top of the bowl and is held in with two pins.
This is a three-in-one print! With this model, you will keep your cat healthy, fed, and entertained, all with one simple mechanism.
- Who designed it? jactre
- How printable/popular is it? This slow feeder has two makes. Keep in mind that if your cat’s food is small, the holes for the slow feeder may be too big.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Food Dish
Here’s the perfect cat-shaped dish for your feline. Despite being a simple design, it’s so much more than a regular dish, meaning it’s guaranteed to add some flair to your cat’s dinner.
As you can imagine, printing is a cinch. Forget about supports, and set the infill density to 100%.
- Who designed it? DougCostlow
- How printable/popular is it? 10 people have made this cat bowl successfully, and their cats look thrilled in the photos!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Accessories
Becoming a cat owner is like becoming the proud parent of a child that needs a lot of attention and care, but who won’t openly admit to it. As such, there are a bunch of things, from litter boxes to toys to scratchers, that you need to get to keep your cat cozy.
So, to help you out, we’ve selected an arrangement of cat accessories to help your kitten live their best life.
Cat Box
If you have Ikea Kallax furniture in your home, your cat can now move to some new premium real estate. Just take one of those Drona boxes, cut a round hole through it, and apply this light and quick print. Voilà, an instant new home for your cat. It’s a simple but effective hack.
Some may ask, do our cats really need a new nook? Probably not, but then again, we’re not really the bosses, are we?
Litter Scooper
Cleaning the litter box is possibly the least fun part of being a cat owner, but it does need to be done. If your last scoop’s kicked the bucket, here’s a handy replacement.
This is a very easy print with no overly complex structures. Printing flat on its face, it doesn’t even require supports!
- Who designed it? CreativeTools
- How printable/popular is it? Over 13,200 users have downloaded this item and it’s got 15 certified makes on Thingiverse, making it a fairly popular project.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Walking Bridge
If you’re having too much cat cuteness in your life, introducing a suspended walking bridge to the equation is probably not going to help. Having an adorable kitty prancing around those bridges like they’re in an Ewok treetop village is definitely going to overload the cuteness meter.
The creator has included a photo assembly guide on Printables, as well as some printing tips. They recommend 10% infill, three perimeters, and PETG filament.
This print includes a slip piece that can be used as a template for cutting felt to improve paw grip. Your cat is the ultimate authority on paw grip, so consult with them for optimal results.
- Who designed it? Magdaj
- How printable/popular is it? The three successful makes are a good indicator of how printable this bridge is.
- Where to find it? Printables
Wall Brush Scratcher
Cats have a constant need for scratching. But since cats don’t have such efficient movement of arms as we do, they need help. This model should satisfy that need!
There are three designs, and all are easy to print, with 4-mm mounting holes and a flat surface for easy double tape placing. The corner pieces are especially useful, as they provide the easiest angles for the cat to make use of it.
If you’d prefer to give your cat a good scratch yourself, there’s also this handheld scratcher that prints in a single part!
- Who designed it? Alajaz
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 165 likes and a make on Thingiverse. You only need support for the corner pieces, and an infill of 20% is recommended. It’s best printed in PLA, but ABS also works well.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Catnip Planter
This simple rectangular planter may seem unremarkable, but it’s the perforated insert that really sets it apart. It holds everything in place, even when cats decide to go all in on the grass.
While we’re not saying your cat would knock this planter over, we do suggest placing a layer of small rocks or pebbles at the bottom to give it some weight and stability.
- Who designed it? Harry
- How printable/popular is it? With eight shared makes and zero issues, this one is super easy to print. Most makers used PLA for their print.
- Where to find it? Printables
Toy Rack
There comes a point when all the fishing rods and string toys lying around on the floor becomes too much of a mess. As a solution for this, we suggest the cat toy rack.
This model has eight holes for hanging, and doesn’t need supports. The holders sit at an angle, and they are secured so that the toys will stay in place in case you mount it on a door, for example.
- Who designed it? deadlock
- How printable/popular is it? This model has over 60 likes on Thingiverse and a posted make so far.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Hair Brush
As any cat owner knows, your pet can shed like crazy. Thankfully, there’s this printable brush to take care of the hair and maybe even keep your clothes fur-free! This design has multiple bumps, perfect for catching all that extra hair.
This design is very easy to print. Just make sure your retraction settings are on point because you don’t want 3D printed hair on your brush before you even use it.
- Who designed it? MiseryBot
- How printable/popular is it? At least six people have successfully made this brush, and there are three remixes worth checking out.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Bow Tie
This super cute way to dress up your pet works well for both cats and dogs. The piece comes in two parts and even allows you to switch up what your pet wears!
This nameplate should be a quick and easy print that keeps your cat’s fashion trends on point. There are no complex structures, so you can really print it any way you want!
Geodesic Dome Cat House
Want a little home for your cat but don’t want to spend a lot of money? This geodesic cat house uses 3D printed triangular panels that attach to create the purr-fect dome-structured home for your pet. The project is pretty large and, according to the designer, you’ll need to print a total of 129 panels and use over 100 zip-ties to assemble them.
The maker of this cat house provided a few of the print settings they used, including a 0.2-mm layer height and a 15% infill density with a honeycomb infill pattern.
- Who designed it? Abby575
- How printable/popular is it? This 3D printable cat dome has 36 recorded makes, 7 remixes, and over 5,200 downloads! So many users have successfully made this cat house and you can too!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Kitty Armor
While it’s not free to download, this model was too impressive to leave off our list. This non-restrictive, cat-protective, fun, and thorny armor is perfect to fulfill all your cat warrior dreams or simply to protect your cat from all the dangers of your living room. This piece is made for an average-sized cat and has 18 moving parts to allow complete comfort in battle!
The recommended infill is 15%, and the parts should be printed with rafts and supports. The model is designed to allow for cat mobility, and it even has a hole for attaching the lead. If you have more than one cat, you can have your own army!
- Who designed it? PrintThatThing
- How printable/popular is it? The armor has been downloaded over 600 times and there are 2 shared makes. With a little patience, you can print it, too!
- Where to find it? Cults
License: The text of "The Best 3D Printed Cat Toys & Accessories" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.