All dogs love to play! In fact, that’s one of the things that we love about dogs. Their endless energy and desire to play. We can make playtime even more fun with DIY dog toys!
After all, lots of toys help keep our dogs amused and stop them from getting into trouble (like when a dog runs away) or give them something to do, so they aren’t a velcro-dog and stuck to our side all the time!
Below are 11 DIY dog toy ideas that will keep your four-legged friend happy for hours!
All these dog toys can be made with items you can find around the home. Most of the free or very cheap! Bonus!
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WHY MAKE DOG TOYS
So why should you make your own dog toys, instead of buying them? I love making things for my pets (like this DIY Dog Paw Balm) it’s fun and you will also save a LOT of money.
Commercial dog toys are great (I especially love all Nylabone toys for my power chewer, Roxy!). But the cost can add up really fast!
Dog toys can cost anywhere between $5 and $30 at large pet stores, so much you’ve bought 3 or 4 toys, you have invested quite a bit of money! This can be even more frustrating if your dogs like to destroy their toys (like mine do!).
Roxie is my toy-demolisher! We can give her pretty much any toy, and within 10 minutes it will just be a pile of pieces on the floor!
With four dogs in our house, we get through a LOT of toys! So I’ve learned to make free or cheap toys to keep our pack amused without breaking the bank!
Here are the 13 best DIY dog toys that I’ve found from around the internet. Some are super easy, others might take a little longer to make – but all are sure to amuse your pup!
Homemade DOG TOYS
I’ve rated each project on how fast and easy it is to make:
★ – Super easy and fast. Finish the project in less than 15 minutes
★★ – Easy but might require a little more time or a special tool.
★★★ – Requires more time and tools to make
I also rated each project by how much it will cost to make:
$ – Under $5
$$ – $5-$10
$$$ – $10+
11 Easy DIY Dog Toys
Dog Snuffle Mat
I love snuffle mats (or forage mats) and this one from The Honest Kitchen, is so easy to make!
Any toy that helps feed your pet, while also keeping them amused, deserves a big thumbs up from me!
Bonus – this toy is also great for cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, and other pets (birds love them!)!
Squeaky Stuffed Snake Dog Toy
This squeaky snake toy is adorable! It does require a little more sewing skill, but if you know your way around a needle and thread, then this is a great project for you!
Dalmatian DIY takes you step-by-step through how to make this awesome squeaky toy for your dog.
Rope Toys for Heavy Chewers
This awesome rope toy from Instructables is super durable – perfect for even the strongest chewer!
This toy might take a little more effort to make, as the knots can get confusing. But if you take your time and follow the instructions, then you will be left with a great dog toy for your power chewer!
Muffin Tin Game
This is a fun dog game idea from She Knows. All you do is put a few treats in a muffin tin, and then cover the holes with tennis balls!
Depending on your dog, they will either solve this puzzle REALLY fast, or it might take them a little while to figure it out.
Sweet potato chew toy
This Indestructible Sweet Potato Dog Toy isn't difficult to make, but it does take a bit of time because you have to bake the sweet potato for at least 2 1/2 hours.
Sweet Potato? Huh? Yep! This toy uses dried pieces of sweet potato! This makes a tasty toy for your dog to chew on and it will definitely take them a while to chew through it (although I'm not sure I would call it indestructible!).
Recycled T-Shirt Hem Dog Ball
I LOVE this DIY dog toy because it recycles old t-shirts! Dalmatian DIY gives you a very clear step-by-step tutorial on how to make this fun toy.
All you need is to cut the hem off your old t-shirts (or if you are like my daughter, then you cut the hem off your NEW t-shirts to give them a "worn" look!!).
Spinning Plastic Bottle Game
This isn't your teenage version of Spin the Bottle! This spinning plastic bottle game is one that your dog will love!
Once you've built the frame and attached the bottles, all your need to do is fill the bottles with a handful of your dogs favorite treats! They will play for ages, trying to figure out how to get the treats out!
Octopus Dog Toy
This is a super easy and fun DIY dog toy from Ammo the Dachshund. All you need is an old t-shirt (or fabric) and an old ball.
The directions show you how to wrap the ball and then braid the ends of the fabric to make the "legs" of the octopus! Love it!
Rope Ball Surprise Dog Toy
I love this dog toy! It's such a cool idea! Heidi at Hands Occupied shows you how to tie a knot ball and insert treats into it.
I think it's great that Heidi made this as a present for her dogs (and lets them unwrap it too!). So much fun!
The Flirt Pole: Dog Toy or Life Changer?
Flirt poles are a traditional dog toy and training tool that are great at teaching impulse control and manners.
Notes from a Dog Walker not only shows you how to make a DIY flirt pole, but also how to use it to train your dog. This is a such a great idea to combine training and fun!
T-Shirt Rope Toys
Purfylle has instructions on how to make these upcycle tug toys. They use old jogging pants, but you really can use anything!
I have dozens of these tug toys around my house... OK maybe not 'dozens', but a lot of them! They are so easy to make and you can use old clothes, scraps of fabric, old blankets, stained dishtowels... pretty much any fabric!
It is so fun to make DIY dog toys for your woofy-friend! There are so many different options. Just look around your house and see what you can find!
I love making toys for my dogs and cats, and I hope you like some of these ideas!