With prices rising, homemade dog toys can be a fun way to spoil your dog on a budget. From cardboard rolls to elaborate snuffle mats, there are DIY dog enrichment toys for every play style and every dog lover, crafty or not.
Safety Tips for DIY Dog Toys
First, it’s important to remember that all toys, homemade or storebought, should be monitored for damage. Discard any toys that have been ripped or chewed if there is potential for your dog to cut his mouth on a sharp edge or swallow small pieces.
When making dog toys at home, there are two things to keep in mind:
- Is this item safe for my dog?
- How will my dog engage with this item and will he enjoy it?
To ensure safety, consider the materials you are planning to use, what the materials’ previous use was, and how your dog will interact with the toy. Many items, such as fabrics, cardboard, and plastic food containers, are safe for your dog to carry and lightly chew but should not be swallowed—heavy chewers will need to be watched particularly closely or given something else. Also, be sure to avoid materials that are brittle and likely to shatter.
Clean containers thoroughly before using them to make toys. Avoid containers that housed toxic substances such as antifreeze or cleaning products. Remove labels, tape, and any adhesive residue so that your dog does not consume them.
How To Make DIY Dog Toys Fun for Your Dog
When it comes to making toys your dog will enjoy, think about your dog’s play style: does he like to shred and destroy, or is he more into chasing and pouncing? Is he a tugger or a swimmer? Does he live for food?
For our destructo dogs, a simple DIY dog toy that he is allowed to rip to pieces can bring maximum joy—just pick up the pieces when he is done. Toys to chase and retrieve can also be pretty simple. For dogs who love to tug, make toys that will hold up to pressure, and for water toys, buoyancy is a must.
Food hounds can enjoy a variety of toys. A homemade snuffle mat allows your dog to sniff and forage for his treats, or you can make a roller ball that dispenses food as your dog moves it around.
Household Items as DIY Dog Toys
A variety of household items can be fun for dogs to play with and require minimal effort:
- Cardboard rolls from inside toilet paper, paper towels, or wrapping paper—perfect to toss, roll, chase, and destroy. Pick up the pieces when Fido is done shredding it.
- Crumpled paper ball—this is best for puppies and small dogs. Crumpled paper bounces unpredictably, plus your dog gets the fun crinkle sound when he grabs it!
- Empty water bottle—fun to toss, chase, and crunch. Discard when your dog punctures the bottle or starts to chew on the cap. Extend life by knotting the water bottle inside an old knee sock.
- Empty milk jug—fun to toss, chase, and crunch. Some dogs prefer them as is, while others like them crushed for easier grabbing. Discard when your dog punctures the jog or starts to chew on it.
DIY Dog Tug Toys
Tug toys can be made from many different things. Choose the materials, length, thickness, and sturdiness to fit your dog’s preferences. Discard tug toys as soon as they start fraying.
Here are some ideas for making tug toys:
- Braided fleece
- Braided strips of old clothing or towels
- Braided rope or paracord
- One or more tennis balls or lacrosse balls strung onto a rope
- Stuff a section of fire hose material with old socks and sew the ends closed—can use a strip of nylon webbing as a handle
DIY Dog Food Dispensing Toys
Snuffle mats are a popular option to make at home. One easy, completely washable option is to sew strips of fleece onto a flat piece of fleece. This creates pockets and folds where treats can be hidden. If you are a skilled sewer, you can sew more intricate shapes, pockets, and folds into your mat for added challenge. Scatter treats across the mat and tuck them into folds for your dog to sniff and find.
A no-sew method to make a snuffle mat is to start with a flexible sink mat that has holes. Thread strips of fleece through the holes and knot them to create loops of fabric. Fill the entire mat to create a dense, shaggy surface. Scatter treats across the mat for your dog to find.
Rolling treat dispensers can be made out of any sturdy plastic jug or bottle. Drill or cut a few holes in the side of a clean, empty jug, then place treats inside the jug and replace the cap. Treats should be slightly smaller than the holes so that they will fall out as your dog rolls the jug around.
Another option is to place treats inside the empty bottle and leave the cap off. As your dog knocks the jug around, treats will fall out the opening. This is more challenging for your dog, as he will have to tip the jug to get the treats to fall out the opening.
Supervise your dog while playing, and remove the treat roller once all the treats are gone. Discourage chewing on the jug.
Make a heavy duty treat roller using thick PVC piping. You will need a section of PVC pipe, caps for the ends, and a drill to put holes in the sides. Drill holes large enough for treats or kibble to fall through, fill with goodies, then cap the ends. Supervise your dog while playing and pick up the toy when all of the food is gone. PVC is too hard for chewing and could fracture your dog’s teeth.
Homemade Stuffies and Squeaky Toys for Dogs
You can sew your own soft toys using all or partly recycled parts. Use old clothing for the outer part of the toy—choose denim or cotton duck for extra durability. Cut out the shape you want and then use that piece to trace a second identical shape. Sew around the edges most of the way and turn it inside out to hide the seams. Then stuff the toy with old socks and gloves and sew the opening closed! Add in a squeaker if desired.
Not much of a seamstress? Stuff an old tube sock with bits of fabric and clothing, add a squeaker if desired, then knot the sock closed. You can do the same thing with a pillowcase if your dog prefers giant toys!
