DIY Dog Toys: Fun, Affordable, and Tail-Wagging Good!

Find here some of the easiest DIY dog toys that you can make in no time, share with your pet, and keep it entertained for hours. Our 2025 guide has homemade toy suggestions you can make on the cheap from stuff you’ve got at home, easy-to-follow instructions, and safety advice. You can make your own fun and inexpensive dog toys.

Now, when did you last buy toys for your dogs? (If you haven’t in ages, their toys are probably long gone!) Yep – you’re not alone! You, like many other dog owners, probably spend more than $100 on toys (depending on how active your dogs are) and you’ve probably bought them 20 or more toys! I’ve been there!

My Dog has an insatiable desire to rip through store-bought toys, and buy new ones (for me) to replace them…until I was introduced to the wonderful world of DIY dog toys!

Handcrafting dog toys isn’t just pocket-friendly (saving pet parents an average of 70% drop from store-bought toys), it’s also a gratifying and sustainable means of repurposing household items into new favorites for your pet. From tennis balls stuck in old t-shirts to delicious treat-dispensing, plastic-bottle entertaining objects, homemade dog toys can keep their mind and body busy just as well as store-bought toys.

Not only are they budget-friendly, but you can also customize the toys to suit your dog’s size, play preferences, and style. And what is more: Making toys for your dog can be a great time for you, as well!

I promise there’s a DIY dog toy project that’s perfect for you and your pup!

Recommended For You: Eco-Friendly Pet Accessories: Healthy Pets, Healthy Planet

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Why DIY Dog Toys Are Pawsome

1. Budget-Friendly: If your dog is a super chewer, you will be spending a lot at the store. Many DIY toys use items you will have to save money.
2. Personalizable: You can turn many options into whatever your dog enjoys. Does your pup love squeaky toys? Add a squeaker! Do they like tug-of-war? Make a regular, durable rope toy.
3. Eco-Friendly: Using upcycled old clothes, blankets, towels or other household items to make dog toys is a good way to reuse items & keep them out of the landfill, you are essentially recycling these materials.
4. Creating a bond: Making toys for your dog is one way to express love and concern.

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Safety First: Tips for Homemade Dog Toys

Before you get started with the projects, you will want to be safety conscious. Here are some tips to help keep your DIY dog toys safe and fun:

• Avoid parts that can be swallowed: Avoid small objects that can be swallowed, as they can lead to choking for the dog
• Use non-toxic material: Only use materials that are safe for dogs to chew on – nothing with chemicals, sharp ends, or toxicity.
• Supervise playtime: Always supervise your dog when playing with DIY toys; especially heavy chewers.
• Regularly inspect your toys: Regularly check for wear and tear, and replace damaged toys.

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5 Easy Homemade Dog Toys You Can Make Today

Are you ready to get started? Here are five easy and fun DIY dog toys that your dog will love:

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1. The T-Shirt Braid Toy

Materials:

• Old cotton T-shirts
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut the t-shirts into 1-inch wide strips. You will need at least three strips per toy.
2. Pick up three strips and create a knot on one end.
3. Braid the strips tightly as you would with hair.
4. Tie again at the end to secure.
5. Let your dog enjoy their new tug toy!

Why Dogs Enjoy Playing with This Toy: Great for chewing and a tug of war. Braids are fun for tugging and strong enough for chewing.

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2. The Sock Ball

Materials:

• Socks (clean, whole, no holes)
• A tennis ball or squeaky toy
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Put the tennis ball or squeaky toy inside the toe of a sock.
2. Tie a knot above the ball to “seal” it in
3. You can do this with multiple socks to add durability!
4. Let your dog chase and chew and play with a sock ball!

Why Dogs Love It: The sock ball is the best of both worlds as it is a soft toy and a ball. It is steller for fetching and chewing!

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3. The Treat Dispenser Bottle

Supplies:

• Empty plastic water bottle (rinsed out and label removed)
• Dog treats or kibble
• Scissors or a knife (to poke holes)

Instructions:

1. Remove the cap from a plastic bottle, and now carefully wash the bottle.
2. Consider how many treats you will put in the bottle and cut holes a little larger than that.
3. Throw the treats in, and close the bottle with the cap.
4. The game can begin; watch how eager your dog will be to get the treats.

Why Dogs Love It: Keeping our pets entertained with puzzle games and mental stimulation has numerous advantages, good for them mentally, and is especially great when you are busy at home.

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4. The Fleece Tug Toy

Materials:

• Fleece fabric (old blankets or clothing work well)
• Scissors

Here is how to make it:

1. Cut your fleece into long strips approximately 1–2 inches wide by 12–18 inches long
2. Take your strips (3 or 4), and tie a knot at the end to hold them all together
3. Braid the strips tightly and secure the end with another knot.
4. If you wish, you can add multiple braids to make a thicker rope for extra durability.

Why Dogs Enjoy It: Fleece fabric is so smooth against their mouths, yet firm enough to tug and chew, and great for play time – excellent for engaging interaction time and bonding.

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5. The Cardboard Puzzle Toy

You Will Need:

• Empty cardboard box (shoe box or small shipping box works well)
• Dog treats or kibble
• Scissors or box cutter

Instructions:

1. Cut small holes in the box – barely big enough for treats to fall out.
2. Put your dog’s kibble or favorite treats into the box.
3. Close the box and let your dog engage it to get the treats out. Dogs can nudge, roll, bite or paw at this box to get the treats.

Why Dogs Love This: This toy is an awesome way for you to engage with your dog, while also providing your dog with the opportunity to problem-solve and be entertained for hours.

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Bonus Tips for Homemade Dog Toy Success

• Rotate Toys: Don’t forget to change their toys out every few days to prevent boredom and make old toys feel new again.
• Incorporate Your Dog: Allow your dog to “help” you make the toys by providing a piece of fabric to chew on or some type of ball to keep them occupied while you put the toys together.
• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different materials and designs that your dog may enjoy.

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Conclusion

Homemade dog toys are an excellent way to save money, repurpose junk into treasure, and provide hours of enjoyment for your pet. It doesn’t matter if you are creating a basic t-shirt braided toy, or making a challenging treat dispenser. Your dog will appreciate what you made out of love. You can also enjoy the experience yourself!

So grab some used clothes, and a pair of scissors, and create your do-it-yourself dog toys today. Your dog will thank you with tail wags. Have fun making it!