If you’re anything like us then you treat your dog like family, and this includes wrapping presents up for them under the Christmas tree. We know, however, that store-bought dog toys can sometimes be expensive and, with Christmas only a few short days away, you might not have time to buy everything on your pup’s wish list. Luckily, we have some super simple DIY dog toy ideas that can be made from the comfort of your own home, and most likely with items you already have kicking around. They’re simple to make, simple to use, and still tons of fun for your furry family member!
T-Shirt Tug Toy
Dogs love to play tug, and having a variety of tug-toys for them to choose from is important. Luckily, these toys are super simple to make at home and can be quite sturdy and long-lasting for tons of future fun with your dog. All you’ll need for this project is two old t-shirts and a pair of scissors that can cut through fabric. Start by cutting slits at the bottom of each shirt and tearing all the way up to make strips of fabric. Tie off each end of your shirts with a rubber band and then divide the strips into thirds. Braid your separated strips together and when you’ve reached the end, tie it off once more to complete your tug-toy. Your finished project will be thick and sturdy and perfect for long games of tug with your dog. Plus, you’ll finally have some extra room in your closet!
For more detailed instructions, check out the original project by Bark Post.
Plastic Bottle Chew Toy
Loud, crunchy things are exciting to our dogs and because of this, plastic water bottles are a great resource to reuse in projects like these. All you’ll need to make a new, crunchy chew toy for your pup is a plastic water bottle, about a yard of fabric (old bed sheets work great), and a pair of scissors. Start by cutting three 1″ strips of fabric off the edges of your fabric sheet (to be used later), and then wrapping the remainder of your fabric around the water bottle starting about 3″ from the edge. You should wrap the bottle just like you would a burrito by tucking in the excess fabric at each end. Now tie the three 1″ strips of fabric from before tightly around your bottle to secure your burrito, making sure to tie one right after the bottle cap as well. Cut the excess fabric near the cap of the bottle into 2″ wide strips and braid three strips at a time, making a knot at each end to finish off your toy. We know your super chewer will love this DIY toy and it’s a great way to recycle some of those old water bottles!
For more detailed instructions, check out the original post by Ammo the Dachshund!
No-Sew Heart Plushy
Ever heard of no-sew fleece blankets? (They were all the rage a couple years ago.) Well if you have, it might interest you to know that the same concept of taking two pieces of fleece and just tying them together to form a blanket can be used to make plush dog toys as well! All you’ll need is about 1/2 yard of micro fleece, fabric scissors, and an everyday marker or pen. Start by stacking two layers of fleece on top of each other and then drawing a heart shape onto the fleece with your marker or pen. Keeping the fleece stacked, cut a circle approximately 2″ wide around the edge of your heart where you’ll begin to cut fringes. Using the bottom and top pieces first, tie your fringes together using balloon knots and repeat these steps until most of your heart is tied off. Leaving one small section open, stuff your heart with the left-over fleece and then finished cutting and tying until your heart is complete. See, we told you it was simple!
For more detailed instructions, check out the original post by Pretty Fluffy.
PVC Pipe Fishing Pole
Why should cats have all the fun when it comes to chasing toys on a string? Dogs love to play chase as well and this homemade fishing pole could be just what your pup needs for some new and exciting ways to play. For this project, you might need to pick up some PVC piping but honestly, a piece of wood or sturdy stick could work just as well! All you’ll need is 2ft of 1/2″ PVC pipe, about 6 feet of nylon rope, a drill, and an old dog toy (more recycling!) Start by drilling a hole in one end of the PVC pipe wide enough for your rope to fit through. Feed the rope through the hole and then tie a knot tightly around the end to secure your ‘fishing line’. On the other end of your rope, tie whatever dog toy you think your pup will love most and then enjoy the endless antics of your pup trying to chase the toy. We feel this works best for smaller dogs and is a great way to recycle old toys they might have forgotten about!
For more detailed instructions, check out the original post by instructables.com.
Apple Cranberry Cookies
If your dog is more into treats than toys this Christmas, we’ve got the perfect recipe for you! Apples and cranberries add a tasty and festive spin to these holiday cookies and will leave your pup licking their lips for more! All it takes to whip up a batch is a cup of cranberries, a cup of apple sauce, 2 cups of whole-wheat flour, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and about a 1/4 cup of milk! Start by preheating your oven to 350° and then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Puree the cranberries and apple sauce together and then add the milk, cinnamon, and flour until well-combined. Knead the dough and then roll it out onto floured surface until about 1/4″ thick. Cut out fun shapes of whatever you like and then bake for 10-15min or until edges are brown. These cookies are perfect for stuffing into stockings or wrapping in cute baggies under the tree and letting your pup sniff them out for a tasty surprise. They’re also healthy and can last up to two weeks if refrigerated. Bon appétit!
For more detailed instructions, check out the original recipe from the Doggy Dessert Chef.
We hope you and your furry family members have a wonderful holiday and that these DIY toys and treats make a special memory for you both. As always, we recommend monitoring your pet while they play and that you remove any loose parts or frayed edges for extra precaution.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!