We all want the best for our dogs. And, when you go to a specialty store to buy the best organic, high-quality dog food, you can also find all the latest dog toys to help stimulate your dog mentally and physically.
But before you spend money on new toys (often packaged in difficult-to-recycle packaging), consider making your own safe, fun toys from materials that would otherwise end up in the trash. WileyPup, now Pawster.comYou suggested a great idea for upcycled dog toys.
Upcycled Tugboat Braid
Of course, donating or purchasing used clothing is an important part of making the most of your old clothes. But eventually, t-shirts, jeans, and other clothing (or fabrics like sheets or fleece blankets) become worn past the point of repair. You can give these fabrics new life by upcycling them into fun dog toys.
One of the easiest dog toys to make is a tug toy. Cut the fabric into strips, lay three side by side, then tie a knot to join at the top and braid, leaving enough at the end to tie a second knot. For larger dogs, you may want a thicker tug toy, so you can use two pieces of fabric for each strand of the leash.
If you want to go a little fancier, try using advanced braiding and knotting techniques commonly used in macramé. for example four strand braidsAlso known as string stitch. This is wonderfully made. round rope It makes a neat and durable tug toy for your dog. Again, for thicker ropes, use two pieces of fabric for each strand.
Natural fabrics like cotton and wool make the best tugboat toys. However, fleece is also a soft and safe choice. Avoid fabrics with thin threads that tear easily. MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. If you use denim, trim any loose threads as the toy ages to prevent your dog from swallowing long strings, which can be harmful to his intestines.
hide and seek dog mat
The same fabric that makes a great tugboat toy also works well for a slightly more complicated DIY dog toy: a hide and seek mat. you can find a good one Guide to an Honest Kitchen Or this youtube video.
Start by cutting the fabric into strips about 1-2 inches wide and 7-9 inches long. (Dogs don’t measure and don’t need precision!)
Once you’ve gathered a bunch of fabric strips, it’s time to find a base for your mat. Just about anything that provides some stiffness and has regular spacing will work. Avoid using plastics that have been in contact with toxic substances, such as cleaning products or herbicides. The purpose of this base is to provide a structure that allows the fabric pieces to be pushed and tied together to create a dense mat. Here are some examples of materials you may already have around the house.
- An old dish mat with small drainage holes.
- Square plastic fence such as snow fence or wire hardware cloth
- A hard, flat piece of plastic or an old rug; You will need to drill small holes every 1/2 inch in a grid pattern in the plastic or rug.
Once you have the right materials for your base, you are ready to start building your mat.
- At the top of the base, slide one end of a piece of fabric through the hole.
- Bring the strip back through the adjacent hole in the bottom of the base.
- Make both ends roughly even and tie a knot. The knots and loose ends of the fabric are placed on the mat.
- Tie the strips as tightly as possible.
This creates a thick, soft mat perfect for hiding small treats or pieces of dry kibble for an attractive dog toy.
dog puzzle toys
One of the newest trends in dog toys is helping dogs get the mental stimulation they need to be happy. These toys have treats or regular dog food hidden in them, so your tracking dog needs to take some action to receive the reward.
Get creative as you create food puzzles that will captivate your mind. However, please use ingredients that are safe to chew. All pieces must be larger than your dog can swallow, strong enough not to break when used, and non-toxic. For example, avoid painted items because paint is a potential toxic hazard.
Here are some ideas to let your imagination run wild:
- Place a piece of treat or kibble into each cup of an old muffin tin. Cover all cups with used tennis balls. tip: Tennis players only use the ball for short periods of time until it becomes too flat. You can often find used tennis balls discarded as trash on tennis courts or at local thrift stores.
- Wash old plastic beverage bottles and fill them with crunchy treats. Cut a hole slightly larger than the food. Your dog will love figuring out how to get the treat out of the hole.
- You can make a strong, durable rolling tube by punching holes in old PVC or other tubing and then plugging the ends. Filling up on food during dinner time has the dual benefit of keeping your dog entertained while also slowing down dogs who eat their food too quickly.
Safety considerations: Make sure items in your dog Einstein toy are clean and free of potentially toxic adhesives (such as those that attach labels). And if your dog is a good chewer, choose ingredients that your dog can’t chew into smaller pieces. If a piece gets stuck in your dog’s digestive tract, it can pose a choking hazard and cause digestive problems.
About the author
Sharon Elber is a professional writer and regular contributor to WileyPup. She holds a master’s degree in science and technology studies from Virginia Tech. Sharon has been a professional dog trainer for over 10 years.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on November 7, 2019, and was updated in November 2024. Featured image courtesy of: Digiman On Pixabay
