How to Make Dog Toys: 5 Fun and Easy DIY Ideas

Providing your dog with engaging toys is a wonderful way to keep them happy, active, and mentally stimulated. While store-bought options are great, there’s something special about creating a plaything for your furry friend with your own two hands. Learning how to make dog toys is a fun, budget-friendly activity that also lets you customize toys to your dog’s specific play style. You don’t need to be a crafting expert to get started; many fantastic DIY dog toy ideas use simple materials you likely already have at home.

This guide will walk you through several easy projects, from durable options for tough chewers to simple, no-sew creations. We’ll explore how to transform everyday household items into safe and exciting toys for your best friend. Get ready to unleash your creativity with these simple dog toy crafts that your pup is sure to love. Let’s dive into the rewarding world of how to make dog toys!

Why Make Your Own Dog Toys?

Before we start cutting and braiding, let’s talk about the benefits of going the DIY route. For many pet parents, it’s about more than just saving a few dollars.

First, it gives you complete control over the materials. When you make a toy yourself, you know exactly what’s in it. This is especially comforting if you have a dog with sensitivities or if you’re cautious about the plastics and dyes used in some mass-produced toys. You can choose durable, non-toxic materials to ensure your pup’s playtime is as safe as it is fun.

Second, making toys is a fantastic way to upcycle old items. That stained t-shirt, those jeans that don’t fit anymore, or even empty plastic bottles can all be given a second life as an exciting new toy. This is a great way to reduce waste and be more environmentally conscious. These upcycled dog toys prevent old textiles from ending up in a landfill.

Finally, it allows for customization. You know your dog best. Do they love crinkly sounds? Are they an aggressive chewer who destroys everything in minutes? Learning how to make dog toys lets you tailor each creation to their preferences. You can make a super-tough braided dog rope toy for your power-chewing Labrador or a soft, crinkly toy for your curious terrier.

Safety First: Choosing the Right Materials

The most important part of making homemade dog toys is ensuring they are safe. Dogs explore the world with their mouths, so whatever you create will be thoroughly chewed, licked, and tossed around.

Here are a few key safety rules to follow:

• Avoid Small, Hard Parts: Do not use buttons, beads, googly eyes, or any small plastic or metal pieces that could be chewed off and swallowed. These are serious choking hazards.
• Use Non-Toxic Materials: Stick to fabrics like fleece, denim, and cotton t-shirts. If you use plastics, like a water bottle, make sure it’s clean and free of any sharp edges.
• Supervise, Supervise, Supervise: No toy is truly indestructible. Always supervise your dog when they play with a homemade toy for the first time. Check the toy regularly for signs of wear and tear. If it starts to fall apart, it’s time to throw it away to prevent your dog from ingesting loose threads or pieces.
• Know Your Chewer: Be realistic about your dog’s chew strength. A simple no-sew dog toy made from a t-shirt won’t last long with a super chewer. For powerful jaws, you’ll want to focus on homemade dog toys for chewers that use tougher materials like denim or thick fleece.

With these safety tips in mind, you’re ready to start your first project!

How to Make Dog Toys: Step-by-Step Guides

Here are five fun and easy DIY dog toy ideas you can make today. We’ve included options for all skill levels and play styles, from gentle tuggers to enthusiastic chewers.

1. The Classic Braided Dog Rope Toy (No-Sew)

This is one of the most popular DIY toys because it’s simple, durable, and dogs love it. All you need is some old fabric. Fleece and old t-shirts work wonderfully.

Materials:

• Fleece fabric, old t-shirts, or denim from old jeans
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut Your Fabric: Cut your chosen fabric into long strips. For a medium-sized toy, aim for strips that are about 2-4 inches wide and at least 2 feet long. The longer and wider the strips, the bigger and thicker your final toy will be. You will need at least three strips, but using six or nine will create a much thicker and more durable braided dog rope toy.
2. Tie a Knot: Gather all your strips together and tie a tight knot at one end, leaving a few inches of fringe. To make it secure, you can clamp this end to a table or have a friend hold it.
3. Braid the Strips: Separate your strips into three equal sections (e.g., if you have six strips, you’ll have three sections of two strips each). Begin a standard three-strand braid, pulling each section tightly as you go. A tight braid is key to making a durable toy.
4. Finish with a Knot: Once you reach the end of your braid, leave a few inches of fabric and tie another tight knot. Trim the fringe on both ends to be even.

And that’s it! You have a fantastic tug-of-war toy. This is one of the best homemade dog toys for chewers who enjoy a good game of tug.

2. The Crinkly Water Bottle Toy (No-Sew)

Does your dog go wild for that crinkly, crunchy sound? This super-simple toy uses an empty water bottle to create an irresistible noise-maker.

Materials:

• An empty plastic water bottle (remove the cap, plastic ring, and label)
• An old, thick sock (a crew sock or hiking sock is perfect)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bottle: Make sure the water bottle is clean and dry. Remove the cap and the small plastic ring that sits below it, as these can be choking hazards. Peel off the label.
2. Insert the Bottle: Simply slide the empty water bottle into the sock. Push it all the way down to the toe.
3. Secure the Toy: Tie a tight knot in the sock right above the top of the bottle. This will keep the bottle from sliding out during vigorous play.

This is one of the easiest upcycled dog toys you can make, and it provides hours of crunchy fun. For safety, discard it once your dog chews through the sock and starts to break apart the plastic bottle.

3. The T-Shirt “Octopus” Tug Toy (No-Sew)

This is another fantastic no-sew dog toy that’s perfect for tugging and shaking. It looks more complicated than it is and creates lots of dangling “legs” for your dog to grab.

Materials:

• An old t-shirt
• A tennis ball or other ball your dog can’t swallow
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Prepare the T-Shirt: Lay the t-shirt flat. Cut off the bottom hem and the top part of the shirt just under the sleeves. You should be left with a tube of fabric.
2. Cut the Strips: Cut the fabric tube vertically into strips, but stop cutting about 3-4 inches from the top. This will leave you with a solid band of fabric at the top connecting all the strips. Aim for strips that are 1-2 inches wide.
3. Add the Ball: Place the tennis ball in the center of the uncut section of fabric. Gather the fabric around the ball and tie one of the strips tightly underneath it to hold it in place.
4. Braid the Legs: Now for the fun part! You’ll have lots of dangling strips. Group them into sections of three and braid them, tying a knot at the end of each braid. You can make as many braided “legs” as you like.

This toy is excellent for dogs who love to shake and thrash their toys. The combination of the ball and the dangly legs makes it extra engaging.

4. The Denim Knot for Power Chewers

If you’re looking for homemade dog toys for chewers, denim is your best friend. It’s a tough, durable fabric that can stand up to some serious chomping.

Materials:

• An old pair of jeans
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut Denim Strips: Cut long, wide strips from the legs of an old pair of jeans. For a good-sized toy, aim for strips that are at least 4 inches wide and 2-3 feet long.
2. Create a Simple Knot: Take one long strip and tie a simple overhand knot in the middle of it. Don’t pull it completely tight yet.
3. Make a Ball Knot: Weave the ends of the strip through the knot to create a ball shape, similar to a “monkey’s fist” knot. Keep weaving and tightening until you have a dense, ball-shaped knot.
4. Secure the Ends: Once the ball is tight and you’ve run out of fabric, tuck the ends securely into the knot. You can use a flat-head screwdriver to help push the ends deep inside the knot.

This creates a very dense and heavy toy that’s great for a game of fetch or just for a satisfying chew session.

5. The Snuffle Ball Puzzle Toy

This final project is less for chewing and more for mental stimulation. A snuffle ball encourages your dog to use their nose to find hidden treats, which is a fantastic way to burn energy and prevent boredom.

Materials:

• About 1.5 yards of fleece
• Scissors
• A zip tie or a sturdy piece of fleece for tying

Instructions:

1. Cut Fleece Strips: Cut the fleece into dozens of strips. A good size is about 1.5 inches wide and 10 inches long. The more strips you have, the fuller your ball will be.
2. Bundle the Strips: Lay a zip tie or a long, sturdy fleece strip on a flat surface. Pile all of your fleece strips on top of it in a messy bundle.
3. Cinch it Tight: Pull the ends of the zip tie or fleece strip together, cinching the bundle of strips tightly in the middle. If using a zip tie, pull it as tight as you can and trim the excess. If using a fleece strip, tie a double knot.
4. Fluff and Hide: You’ll now have a shaggy ball of fleece strips. Fluff it out to create a round shape. Now you can hide small, dry treats or kibble deep within the fleece folds.

Present it to your dog and watch them sniff and forage for their rewards! It’s a wonderful rainy-day activity.

Learning how to make dog toys is a joyful way to connect with your pet. It provides them with safe, engaging playthings while giving you a creative and rewarding project. So grab those old t-shirts and get crafting—your dog will thank you for it

FAQs :