You don’t need to buy new plastic toys to keep a dog busy. Old T-shirts, towels, cardboard and kitchen tins can become tug ropes, puzzles and sniffing games in a few minutes. Here are six DIY dog toys made from things you already have, with honest notes on which dogs they suit and how to keep them safe.
Before you start: three safety rules
- Supervise. Homemade toys aren’t built for unsupervised chewing. Put them away when playtime ends.
- Bin it when it breaks. Swallowed fabric strips, string and cardboard can block a dog’s gut, and long strands (a “linear foreign body”) are especially dangerous. If a toy starts to come apart, throw it out.
- Match the toy to the chewer. Fabric and cardboard toys suit gentle players and puzzle-solvers. Strong chewers such as Staffies, Labradors and many large breeds can destroy them in seconds, so they need tougher toys.
1. Braided T-shirt tug rope
You need: two or three old cotton T-shirts and scissors.
- Cut each shirt into strips about 5 cm wide and as long as possible.
- Knot three or six strips together at one end.
- Braid them tightly and finish with another firm knot.
Best for: tug games with you, for medium-energy dogs. Cotton is better than synthetic fabrics because loose fibres are less likely to cause problems if a few are swallowed, but supervise anyway.
2. Snuffle mat
You need: a rubber sink mat or drainage mat with holes, and an old fleece blanket.
- Cut the fleece into strips about 3 cm wide and 15 cm long.
- Push each strip through a hole and tie a single knot, filling the mat densely.
- Scatter a few dry treats or part of your dog’s meal through the strips.
Best for: almost every dog. Sniffing out food is calming and mentally tiring, which makes a snuffle mat useful for rainy days, older dogs and dogs recovering from surgery. Pick it up after use so it doesn’t get chewed.
3. Muffin tin puzzle
You need: a muffin tray and tennis balls (old ones are fine).
Put a treat in some of the cups and cover every cup with a ball. Your dog has to lift the balls to find the food. Start with only a few covered cups and add more as your dog gets the idea.
Best for: clever, food-motivated breeds such as Poodle crosses, Border Collies and Kelpies. Remove tennis balls before they are chewed apart; their felt and rubber are not meant to be eaten.
4. Cardboard box dig
Fill a cardboard box with scrunched-up paper (no staples, tape or plastic) and hide a few treats inside. Let your dog rummage, tear and dig. It’s a good outlet for terriers and other dogs that love to dig and shred. Recycle the box afterwards, and stop if your dog starts eating the cardboard rather than tearing it.
5. Towel roll-up
Lay an old towel flat, sprinkle treats across it, and roll it up loosely. For a harder version, tie it in a loose knot. Your dog has to nose and paw the towel open. This is a quiet indoor game that suits small dogs and apartment living.
6. Plastic bottle in a sock (gentle players only)
Remove the lid and ring from an empty plastic bottle, put the bottle inside an old sock and tie the sock off. The crinkle noise is very appealing to many dogs. This one is only for gentle players and must be supervised, because broken plastic has sharp edges. Throw it away at the first sign of damage.
What not to use
- Anything with buttons, zips, stuffing, eyes or other small parts.
- Old shoes and slippers, which teach dogs that your footwear is fair game.
- Tins and jars with sharp edges, and anything that once held chemicals.
- Cooked bones or hard items that could break teeth.
When a bought toy is the better choice
For strong chewers, or for a toy your dog can be left alone with, a durable, well-made toy is safer and often better for the environment than a series of homemade toys that get destroyed and thrown out. Look for toys made from non-toxic, recyclable materials, from companies that take worn toys back for recycling.
We compare the options in our guide to the best eco-friendly dog toys in Australia, including the West Paw Zogoflex Toppl and Jive, which West Paw will take back for recycling, and the Beco Rough & Tough range made from recycled plastic bottles.