Make Dog Toys Taste BetterKeeps your dog busy happy and quiet chewing on his tennis ball. Even dogs who don't ever play with tennis balls will like that ball for a while. Great to teach your pet how to fetch!
Durable Toys for Large and Medium Breed DogsIf you have ever wondered what a really durable toy for a dog is, look no further. The most durable toy I have ever seen, is actually a horse toy, but dogs play with them too.
Inflatable Beach Ball Enrichment Activity for DogsRecently, we had a warm day here in Eastern Tennessee, and I decided to do a spring fun activity with my two dogs. They love sharing time with me in the yard, so I bought a beach ball and inflated it.
Make Your Own Unstuffed Dog ToysMy dogs like to play with toys, and yet they like to pull out the stuffing even more. As a result I have started to make their own unstuffed dog toys. I took an old fleece pajama pant and cut a good size off of the leg part.
Make Dog Toys from Mystery SocksUse your old socks to make dog toys. Buy some squeakers, you can buy them in bulk online. I found them on Amazon. Roll one in some socks to make a small ball. Stuff that in a long one and tie one or two knots in it. It lasts longer than all those toys. Squeakers are optional, but the dogs like the hanging parts that flip around.
Hide Dog Treat Under Jar LidPut a dog treat under a jar lid and put it on the floor with the dog watching. It works a treat, just keep something handy for rescuing the lid from under the freezer, etc.
"Berry" Simple Storage For Pet ToysI have found a berry basket, the kind that strawberries are often sold in, to be a very convenient way to store pet toys. I keep a basket filled with toys on the floor so that my dogs can take out whatever toy they want.
Parmesan Cheese Container Dog ToyI put small bits of food in a Parmesan cheese container for our dog. Older dogs are unable to chew it up, but can get hours of enjoyment trying to get the treat out.
Reuse Stuffed Animals As Dog ToysMy poodle "Fluffy" (now passed on) taught me that she loved "babies". She found a dirty little teddy bear and would not part with it. I got it away from her when she went to sleep and washed and dried it and put it back in bed with her.
Attach Dog Toy to DoorwayMy dog loves a light stuffed toy hanging from a doorway on a length of elastic at a length that requires her to leap at to snatch at and grab. Then the toy is snapped away by the elastic when she lets go! She loves it, and so do I. It gives her exercise and we never get bored.
Use Stuffed Animals As Dog ToysI have two very playful dogs and two energetic cats who love to play with toys. In the past, I found myself spending a lot of money on toys to only have then destroyed a few minutes after giving them to my girls.
Homemade Dog Toy IdeasAny pet owner knows that making toys from worn out clothing or repurposing various items around the house is an inexpensive way to create some interesting dog toys. However, in some cases, that idea is not ideal.
Homemade Pet ToysKeep a box in the closet or elsewhere for worn out socks and tee shirts, old pillowcases, and various other items that you can use to create homemade pet toys. Here's a few ideas to get you started.
Buy Infant Toys For DogsI found the best toys for my little dog are the ones designed for infants. These are sturdy and they don't have little pieces that are easily detached.
Warm "Lovie" for an Elderly PetI have an elderly cat and dog that love warm spots to snuggle in. I had a couple of recycled stuffed bears that my grandchildren had outgrown. I sewed a couple of bags filled with rice that would fit through the zippered opening.
Make a Fleece Tug-of-War Dog ToyMany of my friends and family own dogs, so when I decided last year I wanted to give all my canine 'friends' presents, I needed to find something fairly inexpensive to make.
Dog Toy From Old SocksTake those one and lonely socks whose partners seem to have vanished when washing and tie in knots to create a dog chew toy. You can place dog treats inside to help those puppies stay away from unwanted shoes.
Buy Dog Toys at the Thrift StorePet supply chain stores offer some great stuffed toys for dogs, but so do thrift shops! Look to the stuffed toy section and find well made toys with sewn on material eyes.
Use Pet Food in Homemade Pet ToysWhen making noise-making pet toys, such as the ones using empty water bottles, potato chip canisters, or pill bottles, use dry food or treats instead of the suggested marbles, bells, etc.
Rag Knots Chewing ToyI started making these for the local humane society to sell at fundraisers as well as at the local vet clinics. The vets found this to be a perfect toy. It is stitched, so it is safe. My own dog steals them from the sewing machine.
Braided Fabric Dog ToysCheck out the remnant rack at your local fabric store. Find fleece, any kind, and cut it in 2 inch wide by 24 or 36 inch long strips. Place 3 together tie the ends together knotting it twice and start braiding to the end. Tie the other end.
Make Chew Bones Interesting AgainKeeping those rawhide chew bones interesting: A clerk at the pet store told me that instead of throwing them out, she rubs a small amount of peanut butter on cleaned doggie rawhide chew bones.
Dog Toy IQ ChallengeThis cheap dog toy also provides an IQ challenge. Put a piece of dog biscuit or a treat in a Propel water bottle (with no cap and the plastic retainer ring removed).
Peanut Butter in a Kong ToyWant to keep your dog or puppy busy for a half hour? Fill a Kong toy with peanut butter and put it in the freezer. This is a perfect treat for a hot day or for when guests come over and you need to keep the dog off of them!
Pet Toy Netting Under CouchesIf you are like me and have a problem with disappearing pet toys under your furniture, especially couches, pick up some plastic gutter netting and cut it in half. Turn your couch up and staple-gun the netting from leg to leg inside of the couch.
Sock Bottle Dog ToyMy dog loves to chew on empty 20-ounce pop bottles, so I made an inexpensive variation of that. Take a 20-ounce pop bottle, drop a couple of dried beans inside, and put the cap on tightly.
Keeping Pet Toys From Going Under FurnitureIs the dog always knocking his toys under the entertainment center, bookcase, or sofa, forcing you to get down on all fours to retrieve his lost treasure?
