10 DIY Dog Toys You Can Make at Home

10 DIY Dog Toys You Can Make at Home

• By Ash Montgomery

At Earth Rated, we’re all about supporting pet parents to be responsible dog owners, including keeping our dogs entertained! Store-bought toys offer undeniable convenience but crafting dog toys at home can be surprisingly easy. 


Discover the joy of crafting your own dog toys and the benefits they bring to your pup. We've compiled our favorite DIY dog toys you can make at home, each accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions. 

Understanding Your Dog’s Play Needs

Dogs have different play styles, which affect what toys they like. Choosing the right toy is important whether you’re making it or purchasing it. That’s why we offer so many different kinds of toys! 


Here are some of the most common play styles and the toys we recommend for each:

  • The Chaser: If your dog is always chasing, they probably fall into this category! These dogs need toys that go far and can withstand constant throwing and pulling. That said, exercise is important for all dogs, as it diminishes stress. 
  • The Puzzler: Some dogs are incredibly intelligent, and they need their brains exercised just as much as their bodies. DIY puzzle toys are the way to go for these canines. Interactive dog toys are important for all dogs, though, not just those of the smarter variety. Without it, dogs are more prone to behavioral problems. 
  • The Wrestler: If your dog prefers tug-of-war and wrestling, they probably fall into this category. You can easily make your own tug toys, which we’ll describe below. 

    • "Foraging, searching, tugging, and fetching are all very important to a dog’s physical and mental health,” explains Aryel Lafleur, an accredited professional dog trainer. “If a dog doesn't have the opportunity to play and express these behaviors, he will go for the next best thing, which might be your shoes, the sofa, or your nightgown.” 


    Whenever possible, consider rotating toys to encourage exploration. Rotating dog toys has been shown to improve movement and enrichment. 


    No matter your dog’s play style, it’s important to ensure their safety while playing. Look for the hardness of a dog toy. Aryel notes that you should be able to bend or mark the material with your nail. Otherwise, it may be too hard and break your dog’s teeth. 


    Aryel also notes that most dog toy material is safe, but if it is accidentally ingested, it can cause blockages and perforations, which will require emergency medical help. So when choosing the materials to make your DIY dog toy out of, keep this in mind.

    1. The DIY Rope Toy

    This braided beauty is perfect for satisfying your dog's natural tugging instincts. These are some of the easiest DIY toys to make. All you need is fleece fabric, scissors, and a sewing needle with thread. But if you’re short on time, our Earth Rated Tug Toy is a great ready-made alternative.


    1. Cut the fleece into long strips that are about 1-2 inches wide. The more strips you use, the thicker and more durable the braid will be. 
    2. Next, tie the ends of three fleece strips together in a secure knot. Begin braiding the strips, and when one color runs out, incorporate a new strip. There are many braiding techniques you can use – a simple braid will work just fine, but feel free to get fancy with a fishtail braid for bonus points (and maybe a high-five from your pup). 
    3. Once your braid reaches the desired length, secure the end with another knot. 
    4. For added durability, you can sew the braid shut at the ends for a professional (though slightly less rustic) touch.

    2. The Snuffle Mat

    Dogs need lots of mental stimulation, especially if they belong to a super-smart breed! A snuffle mat is one way to keep them entertained. You’ll need an old bath towel, fabric scraps, scissors, and a hot glue gun. 


    1. To create a snuffle mat for your pup, start by cutting a towel or blanket into a size you desire. A rectangle of 2ft x 3ft is a good starting point for medium-sized dogs. 
    2. Next, cut fabric scraps into squares or long strips. Using different textures and shapes can make things more interesting for your dog's nose. 
    3. Now comes the fun part! You can either sew or hot glue the fabric scraps onto the towel in a random pattern, creating pockets and hiding places for treats. 
    4. Once you've secured all the fabric scraps, hide some kibble or your dog's favorite treats within the nooks and crannies of the snuffle mat. 

    If you don’t have a hot glue gun or sewing supplies, you can tie the fabric scraps onto a towel for a similar effect. 

    3. The Crinkly Flyer

    If your dog loves to chase squirrels or even the rogue leaf, this next toy is for you! This DIY flyer has a very erratic flight, making it a great option for more intelligent dogs, too. You won’t need many materials, either: an empty plastic water bottle, crinkly material (empty crisp packet, unscented dryer sheets, etc.), an old sock, and duct tape. 


    1. Wash and dry an empty water bottle. For added safety, it's recommended that the label be removed.
    2.  Fill the bottle with crinkly materials, such as paper or plastic. The more crinkly bits you add, the more your pet will enjoy the sound it makes.
    3. Using an old sock, stretch the opening over the mouth of the water bottle. This will create a secure pocket for the bottle.
    4. Wrap duct tape around the opening to ensure everything stays in place. Use enough tape to prevent any crinkly bits from escaping.

    4. A Frozen Surprise

    This toy is much less effort than others, but we still feel like it falls into the DIY category. First, you’ll need a toy you can stuff, like our enrichment toy. Next, you’ll also need to get low-sodium broth and your dog’s favorite treats. 


    1. Fill the toy with your dog’s favorite treats. 
    2. Pour the broth into the toy, filling it almost to the top.
    3. Pop the toy in the freezer for a few hours or until the broth is completely frozen solid.

    5. The T-Shirt Tug Toy

    If you have some old T-shirts in your closet, creating a tug toy is very easy. We recommend starting with three old T-shirts. You’ll also need some scissors. 


    1. To make a braided t-shirt rug, you will need to cut your t-shirts into strips that are about 1-2 inches wide. It's important to aim for equal lengths to achieve a balanced braid. 
    2. Once you have your strips, tie the ends of three strips together in a secure knot to begin. 
    3. Then, start braiding the strips together, adding in a new strip whenever one color runs out. A simple braid is all you need!
    4. When your braid reaches your desired length, tie the end with another tight knot to secure it.

    6. The Busy Bottle

    Plastic bottles can be recycled into simple DIY puzzle dog toys. All you’ll need is an empty plastic bottle, scissors, and treats. 


    1. Using scissors or a box cutter (with caution!), carefully cut out a hole in the side of the plastic bottle large enough for kibble to be easily dispensed.
    2. Fill the bottle with your dog’s favorite dry kibble or treats.
    3. Screw the cap back on tightly. The fun comes from your pup nudging and rolling the bottle around to get the treats to fall out.

    This does work better with smaller dogs. In our experience, larger dogs may simply try to chew through the bottle, which isn’t safe!

    7. The Cardboard Cave

    If your dog is on the smaller side, you can make a haven for exploring out of old cardboard boxes. On top of the boxes, you’ll also need scissors. 


    1. Use scissors to cut out doorways and windows in your cardboard boxes, creating a series of tunnels and “rooms.”
    2. Hide some treats around the inside of your cavern to encourage exploration. 
    3. Let your pup explore! 

    8. The Treat Treasure Box

    For dogs that need some mental stimulation, an interactive puzzle box is a great way to challenge your dog’s sniffing skills. Making one is very easy, too. All you need is an empty shoebox, cardboard scraps or old socks, scissors, and treats. 


    1. Start by cutting the top off a shoebox. 
    2. Next, fill the inside of the box with cardboard scraps or old socks to create a maze-like structure with compartments and hiding places. 
    3. Finally, hide treats throughout the maze in a way that makes them challenging to find. The more challenging and rewarding the puzzle is, the more your dog will enjoy it. Be sure not to make it too challenging, especially if your dog is new to puzzle toys. 

    You can also make it extra interesting by adding crinkly paper inside the box. This adds an auditory element and can make the treats harder to find. 

    9. Teething Soothing Toy

    If you have a teething puppy this DIY puppy toy can help provide some relief. All you need is an empty water bottle, socks, and duct tape. 


    1. Fill the bottle about halfway with water. Tightly secure the cap. 
    2. Put the socks over the bottle, covering most of the plastic surface. 
    3. Wet the socks and freeze the entire bottle. 

    The socks act as a soft and absorbent layer for your pup to chew on, while the cold water provides a soothing effect. You’ll need to re-freeze as necessary. 

    10. The Busy Ball Pit

    For dogs that love balls, you can add an extra layer to playtime by making them search for the balls. You’ll need a box, tennis balls, and scrap fabric. 


    1. Start by ensuring your dog can easily get balls in and out of the box. It shouldn’t be too deep that they cannot reach the bottom. 
    2. Throw in a few balls, including your dog’s favorite tennis ball. It will help if your dog sees you do this!
    3. Next, fill the bin with scrap fabric to help cover up the balls. You can add more or less fabric to make this easier or harder for your pup!

    The Benefits of DIY Dog Toys

    Buying toys from a pet store is a convenient way to keep your dog entertained but there is a whole world of DIY dog toys out there for you to explore, too! Of course, the benefits of DIY dog toys are far beyond simple amusement, too. 


    Here are some of the most important benefits: 


  • Building Stronger Bonds: You can personalize the dog toys that you create, adding more personalization to playtime. Crafting the toy itself can also help you connect with your dog, as you consider their play needs at an intimate level. 
  • Mental Stimulation: Commercial dog toys typically rely on squeakers and bright colors to keep dogs excited. When making DIY toys, keeping your dog mentally stimulated becomes more important. That's why many DIY dog toys provide a level of mental engagement. Moreover, DIY toys help to maintain the novelty factor, keeping things new and interesting for your pup.
  • Responsible Fun: DIY toys involve repurposing items you already have to make toys.

    • These three benefits make the extra work of crafting DIY toys worth it for many pet parents. But, don’t think you have to go all in. You can purchase commercial toys and craft some DIY ones. 

    Final Thoughts

    The world of DIY toys offers a treasure trove of benefits for you and your pup. Many of these homemade toys are extremely easy to make, too. You can make many of them with what you already have around your home. 


    At Earth Rated, we’re all about providing pet parents with responsible solutions to keep dogs and their people happy. DIY dog toys perfectly embody this philosophy, allowing you to repurpose household items and give “trash” a new life. 


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    FAQs 

    How to make homemade toys for dogs?

    To make homemade toys for dogs, all you need are materials you already have at home! Braid some old T-shirts together to make a tug toy or cover some treats in a shoe box with some cut-up fabric to create a dog-friendly treasure trove!

    How do you make enrichment dog toys?

    To make enrichment doy toys, consider what your dog loves to do the most. If they are food-oriented, create a homemade treat dispenser by cutting a circle into the middle of an old water bottle (label removed) and filling it with treats. If they love to play tug-of-war, braid some old t-shirts together to create your very own tug toy.

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