How To Make Dog Toys: 5 Amazing DIY Ideas

Keeping our dogs entertained and mentally stimulated is a huge part of being a responsible pet owner. A happy dog is one that has plenty of opportunities to play, chew, and problem-solve.

The pet store aisles are overflowing with toys, but the costs can add up quickly, and many toys don’t survive for more than a few days with an enthusiastic chewer.

What if you could create fun, engaging, and durable toys for your pup using simple items you already have at home?

Learning how to make dog toys is a fantastic way to save money, reduce waste, and provide your dog with personalized enrichment.

It’s a fun, creative activity that allows you to tailor toys to your dog’s specific play style, whether they love to tug, chew, or figure out puzzles.

This guide is designed for everyone, with no special crafting skills required. We will walk you through five amazing, easy-to-follow DIY ideas that are both safe and incredibly fun for your furry best friend.

Get ready to transform everyday household items into your dog’s new favorite playthings. It’s time to get creative and discover the joy of making something special for your four-legged family member.

Safety First: The Golden Rules of DIY Dog Toys

Before we jump into our fun projects, the most important aspect of learning how to make dog toys is ensuring they are safe.

A homemade toy should be just as safe, if not safer, than a store-bought one. Always supervise your dog with any new toy and keep these critical safety guidelines in mind.

Choosing Safe Materials

Not all household items are suitable for a dog toy. Stick to materials that are non-toxic, durable, and large enough that they cannot be swallowed.

Good Materials:

• Durable Fabrics: Denim from old jeans, thick fleece, and sturdy canvas are great choices. Old t-shirts are good for braided toys but may not hold up to heavy chewers.
• Natural Ropes: Thick, natural fiber ropes like cotton or hemp can be used for tug toys, but always supervise to ensure your dog isn’t ingesting the fibers.
• Food-Grade Plastics: Items like empty water bottles (caps and rings removed) or clean yogurt containers can be used for puzzle toys under supervision.
• Tennis Balls: A classic for a reason, but ensure they are used for fetch or in puzzle toys, not as a primary chew toy, as the felt can be abrasive.

Materials to AVOID:

• Small, Hard Objects: Buttons, beads, googly eyes, or any small plastic parts can easily be chewed off and become a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage.
• Thin Plastics: Flimsy plastic containers can shatter into sharp pieces.
• Cooked Bones: These can splinter and cause serious internal injury.
• Fabrics with Loose Threads or Sequins: These can be ingested.
• Anything with Toxic Chemicals: Avoid materials treated with heavy dyes, glues, or chemicals.

The Durability Test

Know your dog’s chew style. A toy that is perfectly safe for a gentle senior Chihuahua could be destroyed and ingested by a powerful young Pit Bull in minutes.

• For “Power Chewers”: Focus on extremely durable materials like tightly braided denim or fleece. Avoid toys with stuffing or components that can be easily ripped off.
• For “Gentle Nibblers”: Softer fabric toys and more intricate puzzle toys are generally safe.
• Supervision is Key: No toy is 100% indestructible. Always supervise your dog when they are playing with a homemade toy. Inspect the toys regularly for signs of wear and tear, and discard any that are starting to fall apart.

Idea 1: The Indestructible Braided T-Shirt Tug Toy

This is the quintessential DIY dog toy and a perfect first project. It’s incredibly easy, requires no sewing, and creates a strong, stretchy tug toy that dogs love. This is a fantastic way to upcycle old, stained, or torn t-shirts.

What You’ll Need:

• 2-3 old t-shirts (using different colors makes a fun pattern).
• A pair of sharp scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric Strips

1. Lay a t-shirt flat and cut off the bottom hem.
2. Cut the body of the t-shirt into horizontal strips. For a medium to large dog, aim for strips that are about 3-4 inches wide. For a small dog, 1-2 inches will be better. You’ll need at least 6 long strips in total.
3. Take each fabric loop you’ve created and cut it at one of the side seams to make a long, single strip.
4. Gently stretch each strip. Cotton t-shirt material will curl in on itself, forming a soft “t-shirt yarn.”

Step 2: Start the Braid

1. Gather six of your fabric strips together.
2. Tie them all together with a tight overhand knot at one end, leaving a few inches of fringe at the top.
3. To secure your work, you can either clamp the knotted end to a table, shut it in a door, or have a friend hold it for you.

Step 3: The Four-Strand Braid (Box Knot)
This braid creates a square, dense, and very durable rope.

1. Separate your six strips into four groups: two on the left, two on the right, one on the top, and one on the bottom.
2. Take the top strip and fold it down over the two right strips.
3. Take the two right strips and fold them over to the left, crossing over the strip you just folded down.
4. Take the bottom strip and fold it up over the two left strips.
5. Finally, take the two left strips and thread them through the loop created by the very first strip you folded down.
6. Pull all four groups tight to form your first “box” knot. It might look a little loose at first, but it will tighten up as you go.

Step 4: Continue and Finish

1. Continue this braiding pattern—top over right, right over bottom, bottom over left, left through the top loop—all the way down the length of the strips.
2. Keep pulling the braid tight as you work to make it dense and strong.
3. When you have about 4-5 inches of fabric left, tie another tight overhand knot to secure the end. Trim the fringe to be even.

You now have a super-strong, stretchy, and machine-washable tug toy that’s perfect for hours of play!

Idea 2: The Magical Muffin Tin Puzzle Feeder

This is a brilliant brain game for dogs and an incredibly simple way to introduce them to puzzle toys. It encourages them to use their nose and problem-solving skills to get their food or treats. This is one of the best ideas for how to make dog toys that provide mental stimulation.

What You’ll Need:

• A standard 6 or 12-cup muffin tin.
• A dozen tennis balls (or other dog-safe balls that fit in the cups).
• Your dog’s favorite small treats or their regular kibble.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Introduce the Tin

1. Place the empty muffin tin on the floor and let your dog sniff and investigate it. Praise them for any interaction.
2. Drop a single treat into one of the cups while your dog is watching. Let them easily get the treat. This teaches them that the tin is a source of good things.

Step 2: Add the Obstacles

1. Once your dog understands the basic concept, place a treat or some kibble in a few of the muffin cups.
2. Cover all the cups with tennis balls, both the cups with treats and the empty ones.

Step 3: Let the Games Begin!

1. Encourage your dog to find the treats. They will have to use their nose to figure out which cups hold the treasure and then use their snout or paws to knock the balls out of the way to get their reward.
2. Supervise them to make sure they are lifting the balls out and not trying to chew on the muffin tin itself.

This simple game provides excellent mental enrichment, slows down fast eaters, and helps build a dog’s confidence.

Idea 3: The Crinkly Water Bottle Sock

Dogs love the crunchy, crinkly sound of a plastic water bottle. This DIY toy encases the bottle in a layer of fabric, making it safer to chew on and turning it into a fun, noisy toy that satisfies their sensory needs.

What You’ll Need:

• An empty plastic water bottle (16-20 oz).
• A clean, old sock (a thicker athletic or hiking sock works best). The sock should be long enough to completely cover the bottle.
• Scissors (optional).

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Bottle

1. Remove the cap and the small plastic ring from the neck of the water bottle. These are choking hazards and must be discarded.
2. Squeeze the bottle to let some air out, which will make it easier for your dog to chomp down on and create a better crinkling sound.

Step 2: Assemble the Toy

1. Shove the prepared water bottle into the sock, pushing it all the way down to the toe.
2. Tie a tight knot in the sock right at the mouth of the bottle. This will keep the bottle securely inside.
3. If there is a lot of extra sock material at the top, you can either tie it into a second knot or cut it into a few strips to create a fun, fringy end for your dog to shake.

Important Note: This toy is for supervised play only. Once your dog has punctured or destroyed the plastic bottle, you must take it away. You can then simply untie the sock, replace the old bottle with a new one, and the fun starts all over again!

Idea 4: The Denim Knot Ball Chew Toy

For dogs that love to chew and gnaw, denim from an old pair of jeans is a fantastic, durable material. This project creates a heavy, satisfying knot ball that can stand up to some serious chewing.

What You’ll Need:

• An old pair of jeans.
• Sharp scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Cut Your Denim Strips

1. Cut the legs off an old pair of jeans.
2. Cut the legs into long strips that are about 2-3 inches wide. You will need 2-3 long strips. The seams of the jeans are extra tough, so try to include a seam in one of your strips.

Step 2: Tie the First Knot

1. Take one long strip of denim and tie a simple, loose knot right in the middle of it. Don’t pull it tight yet.

Step 3: Weave and Tighten
This uses a “monkey’s fist” knot technique to create a dense ball.

1. Take a second strip of denim and begin wrapping it around the loose central knot. Go over and under the loops of the first knot, weaving the new strip through the center.
2. As you add more layers, start pulling the ends of the strips to tighten the knot. Your goal is to create a tight, layered ball shape.
3. Continue to wrap and weave your strips through the knot, always pulling everything tight, until you have a dense, fist-sized ball.
4. Tuck the loose ends deep into the knot to secure them. For extra security, you can put a few stitches in the ends with a needle and heavy-duty thread, but for most dogs, a tightly woven knot is sufficient.

This heavy denim ball is great for fetch and provides a satisfying texture for dogs who love to chew.

Idea 5: The No-Sew Fleece Snuffle Mat

A “snuffle mat” is a puzzle toy that encourages your dog’s natural foraging instincts. You hide treats or kibble within the fleece strips, and your dog has to use their powerful sense of smell to hunt for their food. It’s an incredibly enriching activity that can reduce anxiety and boredom.

What You’ll Need:

• A rubber sink mat with holes in it (this will be your base).
• 1-2 yards of fleece fabric in various colors.
• Scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Cut the Fleece Strips

1. Cut your fleece fabric into strips that are about 1-2 inches wide and 6-8 inches long. You will need a lot of strips, so this is a great activity to do while watching TV!

Step 2: Attach the Strips

1. Take one fleece strip and thread it down through one hole in the sink mat and up through an adjacent hole.
2. Tie a single, simple knot with the two ends of the strip on the top side of the mat. Don’t pull it too tight; you just want to secure it.

Step 3: Fill the Mat

1. Continue this process—threading a strip through two adjacent holes and tying a knot—until the entire mat is covered in a dense forest of fleece strips.
2. Try to alternate colors to create a fun pattern. The denser you pack the strips, the more challenging the puzzle will be for your dog.

Step 4: Time to Snuffle!

1. Once the mat is complete, simply sprinkle your dog’s kibble or small, dry treats into the fleece strips.
2. Ruffle the fleece with your hands to help the food settle down to the base of the mat.
3. Place it on the floor and watch your dog’s nose go to work!

A World of Creative Play Awaits

You’ve now learned how to make dog toys that are fun, enriching, and made with love. From a simple crinkly bottle to an intricate braided tug, these projects offer a fantastic way to engage with your dog on a new level.

The time you spend creating these toys and then playing with your dog will strengthen your bond and provide them with the mental and physical stimulation they need to thrive.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. See what materials you have on hand and what play styles your dog enjoys most. The possibilities are truly endless.

The best toy in the world isn’t the most expensive one; it’s the one that you and your dog can enjoy together. So go ahead, raid your recycling bin and your old clothes, and start crafting. Your dog will thank you for it with happy wags and joyful playtime.