5 Fun DIY Pet Toys You Can Make at Home

Alright, so here’s the deal: we love our pets. We really do. But buying new pet toys every time they chew through one or lose interest is getting a little… expensive. And, honestly, where’s the fun in that? Enter DIY pet toys—cheap, easy, and the perfect way to keep your pet busy while also pretending you’re a crafty genius. Trust me, you don’t need to be Martha Stewart to pull this off (I’m living proof).

Anyway, here’s the kicker: some of the best DIY pet toys are made with stuff you probably already have lying around the house. Yep, your trash can is about to become your pet’s new playmate. So, let’s dive in, get your hands a little messy, and make your furry friends happier with these simple projects.

1. T-shirt Rope Toy: For When You’ve Got Old Shirts and a Lot of Energy to Burn

Okay, this is a no-brainer—if you’ve got a t-shirt, you’ve got yourself a DIY pet toy. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve got a mountain of old shirts you can’t bear to throw away. So, let’s put ‘em to good use.

What You Need:

• Old t-shirts (preferably ones with sentimental value you’ll never wear again)
• Scissors
• Maybe a little fabric glue, but only if you’re feeling fancy

How to Do It:

1. Cut It Up: Grab that old shirt. If it has holes or your ex’s face on it, even better. Cut the shirt into long strips. Don’t stress about perfection—I’m talking rough, uneven cuts. It adds character, right?
2. Braid It: You’ve seen braids before, right? Simple. Braid those strips together, like you’re making a friendship bracelet. The tighter, the better.
3. Tie It Off: Once your braid is as long as you want, tie the ends off with a knot. You can even add some beads for flair—just be sure they’re pet-safe!
4. Let the Tugging Begin: Now you’ve got yourself a sturdy rope for tug-of-war or fetch. My dog, Max, loves this thing. He drags it around like it’s the greatest thing since peanut butter.

Trust me, this DIY pet toy is about as easy as it gets. Plus, it gives you a reason to clean out your closet (finally).

2. Toilet Paper Roll Puzzle Toy: For the Genius in Your Dog

I have a confession. I used to just throw out toilet paper rolls. But then I learned they could be turned into DIY pet toys—and my mind was blown. Here’s a simple puzzle that’ll have your dog working for treats. Think of it like the dog version of a crossword puzzle… but with more slobber.

What You Need:

• Toilet paper rolls (no, seriously, keep them)
• Peanut butter or dog treats (preferably the good stuff)
• A box or container (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Stuff the Rolls: Fill the toilet paper rolls with treats or peanut butter. (Don’t use anything with xylitol—this isn’t “The Great Caffeine Disaster of 2019,” okay?)
2. Assemble the Puzzle: You can throw a few of these rolls into a box or just scatter them around the house. If you’re feeling extra, you can stack them inside a container for added challenge.
3. Watch the Fun: Let your dog go wild. They’ll be nudging, pawing, and sniffing at the rolls like it’s the most fun thing ever. You’d be surprised how entertained they’ll be with this low-budget toy.

Fast forward past three failed attempts to get Max interested in a puzzle, and now he’s obsessed. My apartment’s a mess, but hey, at least he’s busy.

3. Sock and Ball Toy: For the Cat Who Thinks They’re Too Cool for Toys

I’m gonna be honest—this one came about because I was too lazy to go to the store. My cat, Luna, was looking at me like I was the worst pet parent ever. Then, I had a lightbulb moment: a sock. A ball. Done.

What You Need:

• An old sock (or a lonely sock from the laundry pile)
• A rubber ball or a wad of crumpled newspaper
• String or ribbon (optional)
• Scissors (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Make the Ball: If you’ve got a rubber ball, just toss it inside the sock. If not, grab some newspaper or fabric, wad it up, and make your own ball.
2. Tie It Off: Tie the open end of the sock tightly. You can use string or ribbon to make it look fancy. Luna’s not picky about ribbon, though—she’s more into the chaos.
3. Add Catnip (Optional): If your cat’s a sucker for catnip, sprinkle some inside before you tie the sock. Trust me, it’ll work like magic.
4. Throw It and Watch the Madness: Luna’s not the most active cat (she has more of a “judge from a distance” vibe), but she’ll bat this thing around like a soccer pro when I toss it her way.

Seriously, this DIY pet toy works wonders for cats who love batting things around. Plus, I get to pretend I’m super crafty—Luna’s just happy to have something to do while I try to figure out how to keep my plants alive.

4. Tennis Ball Feeder: Because Why Shouldn’t My Dog Work for His Treats?

I learned the hard way that a simple tennis ball could be more than just a ball for fetch. Enter: the tennis ball feeder. It’s like giving your dog a reward, but they have to work for it. And yeah, it’s as messy as it sounds, but my dog loves it.

What You Need:

• A tennis ball (the trusty old thing)
• A sharp knife or scissors (I trust you to not hurt yourself)
• Dog treats or kibble

How to Do It:

1. Cut the Slits: Carefully (key word: carefully) make some small slits around the tennis ball. Don’t go overboard—you want the treats to fall out, not disappear into a black hole.
2. Stuff It with Treats: Pop your dog’s favorite treats inside the slits. Pro tip: make sure the slits are small enough that they have to work for it.
3. Let the Games Begin: Give it to your dog and watch them go to town trying to get those tasty rewards. They’ll love the challenge (and the treats).

I gotta say, Max looks like he’s solving a Rubik’s cube when he’s working on this toy. It’s a mental workout for him—and hey, I get to kick back and pretend I’m a dog toy inventor.

5. Crinkle Bag Toy: For the Cat Who Thinks They’re Too Cool for Toys (Part 2)

I’ll admit, cats can be a little picky about toys. But when they hear that crinkle sound? It’s like a dog with a squeaky toy. Enter the crinkle bag. This DIY pet toy is one of the easiest ways to get your cat’s attention, even if they’re pretending to be too cool for playtime.

What You Need:

• A paper bag (or a lunch bag if you’re feeling eco-friendly)
• Crinkle material (like crinkle paper, foil, or plastic)
• Catnip (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Fill the Bag: Take your paper bag and stuff it with crinkle material. I used foil once—my cat went nuts for it. Just don’t make it too big or heavy, or they won’t care.
2. Optional: Add Catnip: If you want to take things up a notch, sprinkle some catnip inside the bag. My Luna? She loses her mind over it.
3. Seal the Bag: Fold the top of the bag, and boom, you’re done.
4. Watch the Fun: Place the bag on the ground and watch your cat pounce on it like it’s a mouse. Honestly, I was so impressed with Luna’s ninja skills that I thought about entering her into a cat Olympics.

My mom once told me I could never keep a plant alive—she hasn’t seen my cat hunt down that crinkle bag.

The Wrap-Up: Go Ahead, Be Crafty

You know what? DIY pet toys are a blast. They’re simple, cost-effective, and they give you a solid excuse to clean up your house while keeping your pet entertained. Plus, you get that feeling of satisfaction when your dog or cat plays with something you made—kind of like when you bake a batch of cookies that actually come out perfect (minus the burnt edges).

So, next time you’re staring at that pile of old shirts, toilet paper rolls, or a lonely sock, think: could this be a DIY pet toy in disguise? Give it a try. I promise, your pets will thank you.

 

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