A Guide to Make Finest DIY Pet Toys to Keep Pets Active

Editor: Karan Rawat on Nov 28,2024

Pets are friends that brighten our lives with companionship, loyalty, and unique personalities. They have to be active, in both their body and mind. One of the best ways to ensure this is done is by using toys. 

The best way to make them stay active and healthy is to make toys for them instead of buying. This guide will show you how to create DIY toys for keeping your pets active using simple, household materials. It's a fun, budget-friendly way to enhance pet activity and improve pet care.

Why Are DIY Pet Toys Important?

Engaging pets in playful activities has many benefits:

Promotes Physical Activity: Just like humans, pets need to exercise to remain healthy. Toys encourage movement, burning off excess energy.

Mental Stimulation: Homemade pet toys that challenge your pet to think or problem-solve keep their minds sharp.

Customizable Fun: Homemade toys can be tailored to suit your pet's size, breed, and preferences, ensuring they are safe and engaging.

Bonding Opportunity: Making toys for your pets is a fulfilling experience, and playing with them strengthens your bond.

Cost-Effective: Store-bought toys can be pricey; however, DIY options often use items you already have, thus saving money and providing entertainment.

Basic Considerations Before Making DIY Pet Toys

Before diving into the crafting process, it’s important to consider the following to ensure your pet’s safety and enjoyment:

Material Safety: It will be non-toxic; your pet will not come to harm if chewed and swallowed.

Durability: Pets are rough on their toys. So, choose a durable material that can resist the wear and tear.

Size and preferences for the pet: The toys should be suitable for your pet's size and activity. Small pets may require lightweight toys, while large-sized pets can have robust options.

Keep Supervision: Supervise your pet while introducing a new toy to the pet so that they may play with it safely.

Easy DIY Toys for Dogs

There are multiple DIY toys that you can make for your furry friends and ensure they enjoy the most. Let’s read to know about them: 

T-Shirt Tug Toy

Dogs love playing tug-of-war, and you can easily make a durable toy using an old T-shirt.

Materials Needed: An old T-shirt, Scissors.

Instructions:

• Cut the T-shirt into long strips.
• Braid the strips together tightly.
• Tie knots at both ends to secure the braid.
• This toy is excellent for active play and promotes bonding between you and your dog.

Tennis Ball Treat Dispenser

This interactive toy keeps your dog entertained while rewarding them with treats.

Materials Needed: Tennis ball, Scissors, Tiny dog treats

Instructions: 

• Cut a little hole in the tennis ball.
• Put a few treats inside the ball.
• Introduce your dog to batting or pawing the ball to get the treats.

Sock Ball Toy

Transform mismatched socks into a fun toy for fetching or chewing.

Materials: Old sock, Tennis ball

Instructions: 

• Stuff the tennis ball inside the sock.
• Tie a knot at the open end to keep the ball inside.

Simple DIY Toys for Cats

Cats are different from dogs and making toys for them needs extra attention. Here we have listed some of the best toys to make and how to do that: 

Feather Wand

Feather wands have a great potential to become an excellent way to give hours of entertainment to the cats because they love chasing and pouncing on moving things.

Materials Required: Wooden dowel or stick, String, Feathers

Instructions:

• Glue the feathers to one end of the string
• Tie the other end of the string to the dowel
• Wiggle the wand to make your cat run for it.

Cardboard Box Maze

Since cats like hiding and exploring, making a cardboard box maze will surely excite the feline in you.

Materials Required: Cardboard boxes, Scissors or box cutter, Tape

Instructions: 

• Make holes in both sides of boxes for entrance and exit points
• Tape all boxes to get a maze type of set
• Put the small toy/treat within the set

Pom-Pom Balls

Soft light weighted pom-pons great at batting, chasing and

Materials Used: Yarn, Scissors

Instructions: 

• Wound some loops of the yarn with the fingers a few
• Gather around the center some yarn and tie it. Scissors them on one either side as well for an open space.
• Trim it into a round shape.

Fun DIY Toys for Small Pets (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Hamsters)

Next on the list is the toys for the small pets we have in our home and here you will get complete guide on how to make them: 

Toilet Paper Roll Toy

Small pets enjoy chewing and foraging.

Materials Required: Hollow toilet paper rolls, Pet-safe treats

Steps:

• Fold the end of the roll so that it closes.
• Place the treats inside the roll.
• Fold the other end so that it closes as well.
• Let your pet chew on it and find out how to get to the treats.

Hanging Chew

Rabbits and guinea pigs also love gnawing as this activity helps them clean their teeth.

Materials Required: Twine, Untreated wooden blocks, Pet-safe vegetables, such as carrot slices

Steps: 

• Holes in wooden blocks
• String the blocks and vegetables up on the twine.
• Hang your toy in the cage of your pet.

Foraging Mat

Promote natural foraging behavior by making a foraging mat yourself.

Materials: Rubber mat with holes, Fleece fabric strips

Steps: 

• Wrap the fleece strips through holes in the mat and secure them by tying knots in them
• Sprinkle a few treats or food pellets at random inside the fleece which your pet will have to sniff.

General Tips for DIY Pet Toys

Regular inspections are recommended to check toys for signs of wear and tear, and replace as soon as necessary to prevent harm.

Rotate Toys: Keep your pet interested by rotating toys periodically to maintain novelty.

Engage Actively: These toys will engage your pet during playtime so that it does not lose interest but remains active.

Clean and Sanitize: Toys that involve treats or food should be washed regularly to maintain hygiene.

Beyond the Basics: DIY Toys That Engage All Senses

When crafting DIY toys for your pets, consider toys that stimulate more than just physical activity. Engaging their senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—can add another layer of enrichment to their playtime.For instance, you can create a sensory mat for dogs or cats by attaching different materials such as bubble wrap, felt, and crinkly fabric to a flat surface. The variety of textures and sounds provokes them to engage in playtime.

Sniff games, especially, are always so fun to do with your dogs for activities focused on scents. A simple "scent box" can be done using a shallow container, filled with shredded paper or hay that is pet-safe and several hidden fragrant treats within, tapping into their foraging instinct and keeping them mentally active at the same time.For pets which enjoy auditory stimulation, then bells, crinkle material, or even small jingling toys embedded in DIY creations can be used; these are especially popular in cats and birds.

Lastly, create seasonal or theme toys. You can prepare festive chewable decorations or puzzle toys shaped like symbols of the season during the holidays. This keeps things interesting for your pet while tying into your family's celebration, making the activities special.

Conclusion

Making DIY toys to keep your pets active is definitely one of the favorite hobbies that pet owners enjoy and can be proud of. Other than saving you some coins, you also end up making toys specifically to match your pet's needs for them to be safe, hence fun.Playing with your pets regularly using these toys enhances pet activity, promotes their physical health, and exercises their minds, making them happier and more content. These simple yet effective DIY pet toys are made that not only provide some sort of entertainment for your pets but also invest in their well-being and strengthen your relationship with them. So, gather all your stuff, release the creativity, and let your pets enjoy playtime.