Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

6 DIY dog toys you can make yourself

By

The temptation is real. Any dog owner worthy of his canine companion will tell you it’s hard to resist buying a new toy or two whenever you’re at the pet store … or the drugstore … or the grocery store … or surfing online. The opportunities are limitless and, well, everywhere! We love our pets. And bringing home a new toy for them to play with “on occasion” is one of the ways we enjoy spoiling them.

And rightly so. Playing with toys is an important part of your dog’s overall health. The right toy can help your dog fight boredom, relieve his anxiety, and provide an incentive for him to engage in physical activity. But buying toys only to have your dog ruin them in a day can be a little tough on the pocketbook. Here’s how to stretch your budget by making dog toys yourself.

yellow dog playing with pink ball
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Homemade plushies

Finally, a place for all those mismatched and worn-out socks in your family’s dresser drawers! We know you’ll probably keep a few of them to use as dust rags — wise move! — but why not put the rest of them to good use in a dog toy plushie?

Recommended Videos

Simply take the largest sock, tie off any holes in the toes or heels, and stuff the remaining loners inside. Tie a big knot in the top and you have a great toy your dog can chase, carry, and destroy at will. The best part? Once the outside sock gets “compromised,” simply use it as stuffing inside one of the others. It’s the plushie toy that never dies!

Tug-of-war T-shirts

You can repurpose old T-shirts as tug-of-war toys for your dog with a few easy steps:

  • Cut the sleeves off the T-shirt and discard (or save for dust rags).
  • Cut the front of the shirt from top to bottom and across the top of the shoulders. Spread out as one big piece of fabric.
  • Cut 5-inch- to 6-inch-wide strips lengthwise or side to side, depending on the dimensions of your fabric.
  • Tie three strips together in one big knot and braid to the end.
  • Tie another big knot at the end of the braid.

Knotty towels

Another great tug-of-war toy can be made with old towels. Cut the towels into wide strips and tie them together into one long strand or slightly longer than the desired finished length. Tie a series of knots on the strand. If you want to get really fancy, tie the ends into handles so you and your pup can both get a good grip.

tricolor dog in grass with tug rope
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Snuffle mats

Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your pup busy and treat him to a tasty reward at the same time.

  • Buy some rug-hooking backing fabric at your local craft store.
  • Cut old towels or T-shirts (thinner fabric works best) into strips between 6 and 10 inches long. The length will vary depending on the thickness of your towels and the final length desired.
  • Thread each strip through the webbing and tie a knot in the ends to secure, covering the entire backing.
  • Place the rug on the floor, then sprinkle a small amount of kibble or a few of your pup’s favorite treats onto the rug for your dog to “find.”
  • When the mat gets too dirty, just throw it into the washing machine.

Noisemakers

Who needs squeaky toys when you have empty water bottles in the house? If your dog delights in toys that squeak or crackle, save a couple of water bottles from the recycling bin. Remove and dispose of the cap (it’s a choking hazard) and place the bottle inside an old sock. Tie a knot in the top to secure the end. Squeeze the bottle a couple of times before tossing it to your dog to get him started.

Related

Treat containers

Turn those empty toilet paper tubes into fun treat containers. Simply place a few pieces of kibble or your pup’s favorite treat inside the tube. Pinch the ends together and crease, then push the opposite sides down to secure the treat(s) inside. Rattle the tube a couple of times before tossing it to your pup for a few minutes of fun. Be sure to supervise this activity to make sure your dog doesn’t eat the cardboard. It isn’t toxic, but too much of it will be hard for him to digest.

And there you have it. With a little ingenuity, your dog can have a new toy each week from items you were going to toss out anyway. And don’t worry: He doesn’t care what his toys look like, so be creative and choose wisely. Use nontoxic materials and items he won’t be able to swallow or choke on. And with each new creation, monitor his play. Dispose of the toys when they become ragged or pose a hazard to his health. Let his reaction to his new playthings inspire you to create homemade toys you’ll both love.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Debbie Clason
Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
This is how you stop your dog from constantly begging at the table
If you give in, you're reinforcing this bad behavior
A Cavalier King Charles spaniel begs for food at the table.

Your dog is your best friend, and you've been through a lot together. From walks in the park to daily snuggles on the sofa, you share almost everything with your pooch. One thing you don't want to share? Your food. If you're noshing on chocolate or a full plate of spaghetti, you should know that many human foods are actually toxic to your pup and should never be shared.

But even if you're eating a pet-safe snack, like a turkey sandwich, you probably don't want your beastie begging for food every time you sit down to a meal. Have you ever wondered what prompts a dog begging for food when they get plenty to eat? We're here to dish out the scoop on why pooches beg and how you can get them to stop. 
Is dog begging a learned behavior?

Read more
Wait, why do dogs look at you when they poop? Answers to this curious question
There might be a sweet explanation (seriously)
Dog rolling in grass with toilet paper

You may have heard from parents to newborn humans — or discovered this fact of life as one yourself: Poop is a regular topic of conversation. You may turn your nose up (or hold it), but you know what happens. What people speak less about (publicly) is that dog and cat parents often find that their pet's No. 2 quickly becomes their No. 1 favorite topic. Humans and pets aren't exactly alike, but we have a few things in common with our best friends: Poop — frequency, color, shape, and texture — is a critical health indicator.

Humans generally do their business privately, though your pup may not have gotten the memo. However, dogs use the potty out in the open. You may notice your pet locking eyes with you while doing their business. Is that a problem? We scooped up some possible theories to the question you may be asking, "Why do dogs look at you when they poop?"
Why do dogs look at you when they poop?

Read more
Is your dog refusing to eat? There are a few possible causes
Loss of appetite in dogs might be a problem or it may be just fine. Here's how to find the cause
A puppy stares at a bowl of dry kibble

Just like people, dogs have their own distinctive personalities and preferences -- especially when it comes to food! Some pups are notorious chowhounds, while others are dainty eaters. However, any pet parent has a right to be concerned when their dog's appetite or eating behaviors change. Whether your pooch has been with you for years or you've recently adopted a new puppy, few things frighten a pet parent more than watching their beloved dog not eating his favorite meal.

Thankfully, your dog might refuse to eat for all sorts of reasons, not all emergencies. That being said, you should never assume your pet is just a finicky eater, as he may require veterinary care. Let's take a closer look at a few reasons your dog may not be eating and what you should do about his loss of appetite.
What if your dog isn't eating but is still drinking water?

Read more