Amy Thompson
When it comes to your dog’s health and happiness, the toys she plays with are just as important as the food she eats. Unfortunately, many store-bought toys can contain harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, or lead, posing hidden risks to your dog’s safety. Without clear safety standards in the pet toy industry, it can be tough to know which toys are truly safe.
That’s where DIY dog toys come in. Not only are they safer, but they’re also a budget-friendly and environmentally sustainable option. By reusing old household items like t-shirts or socks, you can create custom toys that cater to your dog’s unique needs—all while reducing waste.
Plus, making toys at home can be a fun, creative activity that strengthens the bond between you and your pup.
Here's how to get started.
Benefits Of Making Your Own Dog Toys
Before we cover how to make your own dog toy, let's take a closer look at the benefits.
Control Over Materials
One of the biggest advantages of DIY dog toys is knowing exactly what goes into them. Store-bought toys often contain harmful substances such as lead, bromine, or formaldehyde that can leach into your dog’s system. By making toys at home, you can avoid these toxins altogether and use safe, natural materials like untreated cotton or jute rope.
You also get to steer clear of synthetic dyes, plastics, or questionable fillers often found in commercial toys. This level of control ensures your dog’s toys are both non-toxic and durable, giving you peace of mind during playtime.
Customization For Your Dog
Every dog is unique, and DIY toys let you tailor designs to fit your dog’s specific needs. Whether your pup loves tug-of-war, chewing, or sniffing out hidden treats, homemade toys can be crafted to match her favorite activities.
For example, you can braid old t-shirts into a sturdy tug toy for a larger dog or create a soft, crackly toy from a sock and water bottle for a teething puppy.
Custom toys also allow you to account for your dog’s chewing habits. For heavy chewers, reinforced fabrics or knotted ropes offer durability, while gentler chewers can enjoy softer materials like fleece.
Environmentally Friendly
Finally, DIY toys are a great way to repurpose household items that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Instead of tossing out that mismatched sock or worn-out t-shirt, you can transform them into engaging toys for your dog.
By reducing waste and reusing materials, you’re not just saving money—you’re also helping the planet.
Plus, this approach eliminates the need for single-use plastics often found in cheap, disposable toys.
Materials You Can Use For DIY Dog Toys
So DIY dog toys offer many benefits. But what should you make them out of?
Here are just a few ideas to help get you started.
Everyday Household Items
The best DIY dog toys often come from items you already have at home. Old t-shirts, socks, and fleece blankets are perfect for crafting soft, chewable toys, while empty water bottles add a satisfying crunch.
Sleeves from old sweatshirts or ropes from household projects can also be repurposed for tug toys or chew challenges.
If your dog enjoys interactive play, even simple items like kitchen towels or cardboard boxes can be turned into enrichment tools. These materials are not only accessible but also easy to clean and maintain.
Recyclable Options
For dogs who love puzzles or foraging, everyday recyclables can make fantastic toys. Cardboard egg cartons or paper bags can be filled with treats and crumpled for a fun sniff-and-tear activity. Cardboard tubes from a paper towel roll can also double as treat holders or chew toys, keeping your pup entertained and mentally stimulated.
Recyclables like these are especially useful for one-time play sessions. They’re easy to replace and provide your dog with a variety of new textures.
Dog-Safe Fillers
To make your DIY dog toy even more exciting, consider adding healthy, dog-safe treats. Raw pumpkin seeds, dehydrated meat, or unsalted almonds can be used to stuff or sprinkle into toys, offering both a challenge and a reward.
For puzzle toys, choose small, dry snacks that are easy to clean up but still engaging for your dog to find.
Adding these fillers not only enhances playtime but also encourages natural behaviors like chewing, sniffing, and foraging. Just be sure to monitor your dog to ensure she doesn't ingest the toy material along with the treats!
Seven Fun DIY Dog Toys To Try
Now let's take a look at some of the best toys you can make.
I'll also walk you through exactly how to make them.
1. Braided T-Shirt Toy
Repurpose an old t-shirt to create a tug or chew toy your dog will adore:
- Cut the shirt into strips about 1 inch wide and 2 feet long, group them into three bundles, and tie a knot at one end.
- Braid the strips tightly, then secure the other end with another knot.
This simple yet durable toy is perfect for interactive play or independent chewing, and it even carries your scent to comfort your dog.
2. Octopus Fabric Toy
Transform an old t-shirt or sweatshirt into a playful octopus toy with braided tails:
- Cut two fabric strips about 6 inches wide and 14 inches long, place a tennis ball in the center, and tie the fabric tightly around it with a dog-safe cord.
- Divide each tail into three smaller strips and braid them for added durability.
This multi-tailed toy is great for tug-of-war and fetch games, offering hours of entertainment.
3. Snuffle Mat
Encourage your dog’s natural foraging instincts with a snuffle mat:
- Use a sink drainage mat or a piece of cardboard with holes and thread through fleece or t-shirt strips, tying knots at the top.
- Leave gaps for treats and hide them among the fabric strands for your dog to sniff out.
This mentally stimulating activity is perfect for mealtime or rainy days indoors.
4. Doggie Ball Pit
Create a fun digging and foraging experience with a kiddie pool or washtub filled with balls, leaves, or even snow (as long as it’s untreated).
Just toss in a handful of treats and let your dog root around to find them.
This is a great way to provide physical and mental exercise, especially for high-energy dogs.
5. Tennis Ball Treat Toy
Transform a tennis ball into an engaging treat dispenser:
- Cut a 2-inch slit into a Grade A rubber tennis ball, ensuring it’s free of harmful coatings or gases.
- Fill the ball with small treats and let your dog figure out how to release them.
- For an added challenge, scatter several tennis balls and only fill one with treats, encouraging your dog to use their nose to sniff out the prize.
6. Water Bottle Sweater Toy
Reuse an empty bottle and an old sweater sleeve to craft a crackly toy.
Just place a capped water bottle filled with treats inside the sleeve, knotting both ends to secure it. The crunchy sound of the bottle combined with the rattle of the treats will keep your dog entertained.
This toy is especially satisfying for dogs who enjoy chewing and noise-making.
7. Rope Toys
Use sisal, jute, or untreated cotton rope to create a durable chew toy:
- Cut a 12 to 18-inch piece, tie a large knot in the middle, and add more knots along its length.
- For an eco-friendly option, cut up old denim jeans into strips, fold them, and knot them tightly to form a sturdy rope.
This DIY toy is great for strong chewers and dogs who love to play tug-of-war.
Ensuring Safety While Making DIY Dog Toys
When creating homemade dog toys, it’s essential to avoid materials that could harm your pet. So stay away from chemically treated plastics, fabrics with strong-smelling dyes, and items with sharp edges or small parts that can break off. Opt for natural, untreated materials like cotton, sisal, or fleece, and always check for loose threads or fraying edges that your dog could accidentally ingest.
Always supervise your dog while they’re playing with toys, especially new ones. Even homemade toys can pose risks if pieces are chewed off and swallowed, potentially leading to choking or intestinal blockages.
Also: choose materials and designs that match your dog’s size, chewing strength, and play style. Smaller toys can be choking hazards for large dogs, while overly tough toys may frustrate smaller breeds or puppies. Customizing toys for your dog ensures they’re both enjoyable and safe.
Why Some Store-Bought Toys Aren’t Safe
Unlike children’s toys, there are no strict safety regulations for dog toys. This means harmful substances can often be present in even the most popular pet products. Some toys sold in stores are so unsafe that they wouldn’t meet the standards for human use.
Avoid synthetic materials, strong-smelling plastics, and brightly colored toys, as these often signal the presence of harmful chemicals.
Certain store-bought items, like marrow bones or one-holed rubber balls, can pose unexpected dangers. Marrow bones are hard enough to fracture teeth, while one-holed balls can create suction, leading to lip or tongue injuries. Rawhide chews are another risky choice, as they’re often bleached with toxic chemicals and can swell in the stomach, causing blockages that may require surgery.
Homemade toys provide a safer, toxin-free alternative to these commercial options.
FAQ
How to make homemade toys for dogs? Homemade dog toys are easy to create using everyday items like toilet paper tubes, old t-shirts, or a cardboard box filled with your dog’s favorite treats. You can even craft a rope ball toy or a tennis ball puzzle for interactive and engaging playtime.
What is the best material to make dog toys? The best materials for dog toys are natural and durable, such as sisal rope, old denim, or fleece, which are safe and long-lasting. Adding an old tennis ball or sturdy fabric pieces can make a fun tug toy or chewable option for bored dogs.
What can be used as a dog toy? A variety of household items like cardboard boxes, toilet paper tubes, or even a knotted rope ball toy can make excellent DIY dog toys. Fill these creations with dog-safe snacks to keep your dog occupied and entertained.
Are homemade dog toys safe? Homemade dog toys can be very safe when you use non-toxic materials and ensure they’re sized appropriately for your dog. Double-check for secure knots or reinforced seams, and consider using a sewing machine to create sturdy, long-lasting toys.
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