Fun DIY Pet Toys You Can Make At Home

DIY pet toys offer a fun and cost-effective way to keep your pets entertained and mentally stimulated. By crafting these homemade pet toys, you can tailor them to suit your pet’s preferences and needs, ensuring they are both safe and engaging. Using everyday household items and a bit of creativity, you can create a variety of pet toys that cater to your pet’s natural instincts to play, chew, and explore. Not only does the homemade pet toys approach save money, but it also allows for a more personalized and environmentally friendly option compared to store-bought alternatives. Dive into the world of DIY pet toys and discover the joy of making unique, customized playthings for your beloved companions.

Here are some fun and easy DIY pet toys you can make at home for your pets:

DIY Dog Toys

1. T-Shirt Rope Toy

Cut old t-shirts into long strips.

Braid the strips together and tie knots at both ends.

1. Tennis Ball Treat Dispenser

Cut a small slit in a tennis ball.

Insert treats inside and let your dog figure out how to get them out.

1. Water Bottle Crunch Toy

Insert an empty water bottle into a long sock.

Tie a knot at the end of the sock to secure the bottle inside.

1. Braided Fleece Tug Toy

Cut fleece fabric into long strips.

Braid the strips and tie knots at both ends for a durable tug toy.

1. Sock Ball Toy

Place a tennis ball or crumpled paper inside an old sock.

Tie a knot at the end to secure the ball or paper inside.

DIY Cat Toys

1. Feather Wand

Attach feathers to a string.

Tie the string to a stick or dowel for a simple feather wand.

1. Sock Mouse Toy

Fill an old sock with catnip and stuffing.

Sew the open end shut and add felt ears and a tail for a mouse-like toy.

1. Cardboard Scratcher

Cut cardboard into strips and roll them tightly together.

Secure with glue and let your cat scratch away.

1. Pom-Pom Balls

Make small pom-poms from yarn.

Let your cat bat and chase them around.

1. Toilet Paper Roll Puzzle

Cut holes in an empty toilet paper roll.

Place treats inside and let your cat work to get them out.

1. Wine Cork Toy

Tie feathers or strings to a wine cork.

Let your cat bat and chase the cork around.

DIY Pet Toys from Old Shirts

1. T-Shirt Ball Toy

Cut a t-shirt into strips.

Wrap and tie the strips around a tennis ball, creating layers until the ball is covered.

Tie the ends securely to keep the ball in place.

1. T-Shirt Tug Toy

Cut three long strips from an old t-shirt.

Knot the strips together at one end.

Braid the strips tightly and knot the other end to make a sturdy tug toy.

1. T-Shirt Frisbee

Cut two circles from an old t-shirt.

Sew the circles together, leaving a small opening.

Fill the inside with a small amount of stuffing or fabric scraps, then sew the opening shut to  

              create a soft frisbee.

1. T-Shirt Knot Toy

Cut a t-shirt into several long strips.

Tie a series of knots along the length of the strips to create a fun chew toy.

1. T-Shirt Octopus Toy

Cut an old t-shirt into strips, leaving the top part intact to serve as the head.

Tie a knot at the top to form the head of the octopus.

Braid the strips to create the tentacles.

1. T-Shirt Wrapped Water Bottle

Wrap an empty water bottle with strips of t-shirt fabric.

Tie the fabric securely at both ends to create a crinkly chew toy.

1. T-Shirt Mouse Toy (for Cats)

Cut a t-shirt into small strips.

Roll the strips into a tight ball and secure with additional strips or thread.

Attach a small strip as a tail.

1. T-Shirt Braided Ring

Cut t-shirt fabric into strips.

Braid the strips and then form a circle, tying the ends together to create a braided ring toy.

1. T-Shirt Flirt Pole Toy

Cut t-shirt fabric into long strips and tie them to the end of a stick or dowel.

Use the pole to dangle the fabric strips and encourage your pet to chase and play.

DIY Pet Toys from plastic bottles

For Dogs:

1. Treat Dispenser:

Clean an empty plastic bottle.

Cut small holes around the bottle just large enough for treats to fall out.

Fill the bottle with your dog's favorite treats or kibble.

Seal the bottle with the cap and let your dog roll it around to get the treats out.

1. Crinkle Toy:

Clean and dry a plastic bottle.

Insert the bottle into an old sock or a fabric sleeve.

Tie a knot at the end to secure it.

The crinkling sound will engage your dog's attention.

1. Tug Toy:

Clean and dry a plastic bottle.

Wrap it with a piece of fabric or old t-shirt, securing it with knots at both ends.

This makes a sturdy and engaging tug toy for your dog.

For Cats:

1. Interactive Feeder:

Clean and dry a small plastic bottle.

Cut small holes around the bottle just big enough for kibble to fall out.

Fill the bottle with cat food and close the cap.

Let your cat bat and roll the bottle to get the food out.

1. Catnip Toy:

Clean and dry a small plastic bottle.

Fill it with dried catnip.

Poke a few small holes in the bottle for the scent to escape.

Secure the cap and let your cat enjoy the catnip scent.

1. Jingle Toy:

Clean and dry a small plastic bottle.

Put a few jingle bells or small beads inside the bottle.

Secure the cap tightly.

The sound will intrigue your cat as they bat it around.

In conclusion, DIY pet toys are an excellent way to provide your furry friends with hours of fun and mental stimulation while also being budget-friendly and eco-conscious. By creating these toys at home, you have the freedom to customize them to suit your pet's individual preferences and needs, ensuring they are both safe and engaging. This hands-on approach not only fosters a deeper bond between you and your pet but also allows you to repurpose everyday household items in creative and useful ways. Embrace the joy of crafting DIY pet toys and enjoy watching your pets thrive with the love and care you've put into their playthings.