My boy Delta Bunny cannot allow his new toys to even last a day in that velociraptor mouth of his. Within five minutes of getting a new toy, I will be provided with its carcass and a very innocent face telling me, “momma get something stronger. This one did not last…hehe”
Don’t wanna read the whole article? Then watch the video right here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_AV5LLG34k
Before you embark on the journey of making DIY dog toys for your pup. You need to understand why are toys important for dogs?
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| Homemade dog toys for heavy chewers |
Topics covered in this blog post
Dog toys importance:
Provide an apt amount of mental stimulation
Exercise
Comfort
Fun
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How to make homemade dog toys for chewers:
⚠️ Safety First: Rules for Every Homemade Toy
- Always supervise. Homemade toys are for play time with you, not for leaving with your dog alone or in a crate.
- If your dog rips off and swallows pieces of fabric, rope or plastic, stop using that toy. Swallowed fabric and string can block the intestines, which often needs emergency surgery.
- Make toys too big to fit fully in your dog’s mouth, with no loose threads, buttons or small parts.
- Throw a toy away as soon as it frays, tears or cracks.
- Call your vet straight away if your dog vomits, stops eating, has belly pain or strains to poop after chewing a toy.
Homemade dog toys with water bottles
Items needed:
- An old sock or stocking
- A plastic bottle at least half the size of the sock
How to make:
- Remove the cap of the bottle
- Put the bottle in the sock and push it right till the end of the sock
- Tie a simple knot at the end of the bottle
- Your sock bottle DIY dog toy is ready
Bonus tip: You can put a couple of treats in the bottle before putting it in the sock. The noises made by the treats hitting the bottle make it extra fun. Stay with your dog, and take the toy away as soon as the sock tears or the bottle cracks, because cracked plastic has sharp edges
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| The best DIY homemade dog toys for supervised play |
Find the Treat Toy (Supervised Sniffing Game)
This is a personal favorite of mine. This one keeps Delta busy for a good amount of time.
Items needed:
- Dog treats/ biscuits
- Old denim or thick cloth strips
- A pair of scissors
How to make:
- Cut the denim or the thick cloth into 3 inch wide strips. You can keep the length as long as you wish.
- Put the treat in the center and roll the cloth width-wise.
- Tie a knot securing the treat inside the knot.
- You can make as many treat knots as you want.
Bonus tip: For this DIY dog toy, use your pup’s favorite treats. More enticing the treat, more time he/she is likely to spend trying to get the treat out.
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| Fun DIY toys for supervised play |
How to make dog rope toys: THE KNITTED ROPE TOY
Items needed:
- Old denim or thick cloth strips
- A pair of scissors
How to make:
- Cut the denim/cloth into 2 inches wide strips
- Make simple knots in the denim/cloth keeping the knots one inch apart from each other.
- You can make as many knots as you want.
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| Homemade dog chew toys for supervised play |
How to make dog chew toys: THE BRAIDED ROPE TOY
Items needed:
- Cloth strips
- A pair of scissors
How to make:
- Cut the strips as wide as you want.
- Make sure you have 3 strips of equal width.
- Make a knot at one end with the 3 strips
- Braid the strips like a simple 3 strand braid
- Tie a knot at the end securing the braid.
Homemade dog toy 5: THE TOSSABLE BALL TUGGY
Items needed:
- A tennis ball
- An old T-shirt or cloth
- A pair of scissors
How to make:
- Cut the cloth so that you have a big square.
- Put the ball in the middle
- Wrap the cloth around the ball, covering the ball completely.
- Cut the remaining cloth into strips
- Use a couple of strips to make a knot and secure the ball in its place.
- Use the remaining strips to make 3 strand braids.
- Your DIY dog toy with a extra rope is ready.
You can use this one to keep exhaust your pup in small spaces. Just move the toy by the rope from one side to another and watch your dog chase it.
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Which Homemade Toy Suits Your Dog?
| Toy | Best for | Use with care |
|---|---|---|
| Sock bottle | Gentle chewers, supervised play | Take it away once the sock tears or the plastic cracks; cracked plastic has sharp edges |
| Treat knot (find the treat) | Sniffing and puzzle play with you | Not for dogs that swallow fabric |
| Knotted and braided rope toys | Tug games with you | Put away after play; bin when fraying |
| Tossable ball tuggy | Fetch and chase | Use a ball too big to swallow; not for chewing sessions |
For a dog who destroys toys fast, choose a sturdy rubber toy sized for their mouth, filled with food, and still supervise.
Conclusion
How much do you spend on buying toys for your dog annually? What type of chew is your pup? How long do commercial dog toys last in your house?
If you have any further questions or want me to write about a specific topic, put it in the comment section and I will be sure to address it in my upcoming blog posts.
Frequently asked questions
- Empty water bottles
- Old t shirts or cloth
- Treats
- Balls
Are rope toys safe for dogs?
Rope toys are fine for supervised tug games. If your dog shreds and swallows the strands, take them away, because swallowed string can cause a serious intestinal blockage.
What’s the safest DIY toy for a heavy chewer?
No homemade fabric or plastic toy is truly chew-proof. For heavy chewers, use homemade toys only for interactive play, and give a sturdy rubber chew toy sized for their mouth at other times.
Can I leave homemade toys with my dog when I’m out?
No. Homemade toys can be torn up and swallowed, so put them away when you can’t supervise.
