3 Homemade Toys for Your Dog

We’d do anything for our pets to the point of buying any kind of trinket to see them wagging their happy tails. But, the lifetime of a toy for our pups is too short! They fall in love too fast for new toys, but soon they cease to be a novelty and are left aside. In other situations, some dogs are very attached to a particular toy, and they continue to be fond of them even when they are old and shabby. Others play with their new toys only for some time and when they wear, soon lose interest. This is why some of us on a budget tend to depend on homemade dog toys instead of spending money on every new toy for our pet. 

We have highlighted three dog toys you can make from things around the house below:

Tips for DIY Dog Toys

Before learning how to make your dog’s toys from things around the house, the first thing that needs to be done is to know the characteristics that these toys will have, to minimize the risks of the dog suffering some kind of accident, poisoning and ensure that the toys are fun and enjoyable:

1. The toy should be unbreakable

When creating toys for your dog at home, you should select materials that are resistant to breakage or at least choose something that you know your dog will not ingest (plastic, etc.).

If a piece of toy breaks off when being used by your dog, this can produce cuts, death by suffocation or intestinal obstruction.

2. Ensure that the edges are smooth and without cracks

This will go a long way to avoid any health threats to your dog. For example, many people give plastic bottles to their dogs without proper supervision, and when they play with them for a long time, they tend to give way because of the strength of their teeth, which can cause bruises to their gums.

3. Use non-toxic materials.

4. Fit the toy to the size of the animal so that they won’t swallow it.

5. The homemade dog toys we create at home can frighten or overwhelm them, so you should pay attention to your dog’s reactions (especially if he is nervous about the noise) and if it happens, it is best to look for a better option.

Materials for Homemade Dog Toys

With the above recommendations in place, here are three different type of dog toys you can make:

The Tennis Ball

This  is a great dog toy you can make at home, and the idea is simple:

1.    You make a notch or a hole in the tennis ball (you can make a hole bigger or smaller or just a slot according to the size of your dog)
2.    Fill the tennis ball with your dog’s favorite treats
3.    Give him the ball while he tries to get the treats out!

You can make several balls, with different difficulty levels and when you leave your dog alone, you can give him several balls to occupy his attention until your return.

OR!

1. Cut 2 slits into the tennis ball, one on either side
2. Thread a rope through the ball
3. Make a knot at the end of one side to make a handle. Now you can play fetch!

Braided Ropes

You may have seen some braided ropes being used as toys for puppies. This works perfectly because they like to bite them, and they also serve to play “fetch.”

To make one, use an old T-shirt or two, cut and lock them together. You and your dog can also play tug of war or other games with this.

Ball in Sock

This toy works greatly in keeping your dog from getting bored or even stressed. For this, you can cover an old tennis ball with a clean sock, tie the ends firmly and present it to your dog. For additional fun, you can braid it so as to make it a “two in one” toy. 

Make sure the sock is clean so your dog doesn’t associate the rest of your clothes as a play toy.’

Wrap Up

In conclusion, chew bones, treats, and toys are essential elements for all dogs to develop properly. In fact, behavioral problems can develop when dogs have not gone out for walks for an extensive period of time, or when suitable toys are not available to distract them.

One thing to remember about your dog is that he will not recognize the difference between “buy in store” and “do it at home.” Keeping that in mind, feel free to turn those discarded items into fun toys for you and your dog. Also, for more help as regards to the best dog toys you can make from things around the house, HellowDog is here to help.

About the Author

HellowDog is an excellent place for all dog owners to come to interact with more dog lovers. This also stands as a great destination to find unbiased, genuine reviews of different dog products online.