20 DIY pet toy ideas for an entertaining animal companion

1. T-Shirt Tug Toy

Keep your furry friend entertained with these 20 simple, low-budget DIY pet toy ideas!

Pets love to play, and it's important to keep them engaged and entertained. But you don't need to spend a fortune on store-bought toys. With a little creativity and some common household items, you can whip up an array of exciting toys that are just as fun (if not more so) and can help reduce waste as well. Get ready for some tail-wagging fun with these 20 DIY pet toy ideas!

2. Treat-Dispensing Bottle

Turn those old t-shirts into hours of fun for your dog with this simple t-shirt tug toy! Cut your old shirts into wide strips, then braid them together. Make a knot at each end to complete the toy. Perfect for tugging, chewing, and fetching!

3. Felted Catnip Mice

Transform a plastic water bottle into a treat-dispensing toy for hours of stimulation. Simply poke a few holes in the bottle just big enough for treats to fall out, add your pet's favorite yummies and screw the cap back on for a fun, interactive feed time!

4. Cardboard Scratching Pad

These felted catnip mice are adorable and easy to make! Use wool roving to create the mice and then stuff them with some catnip. Your cat will love batting around and kicking these irresistible bouncy mice!

5. Flirt Pole

Instead of buying expensive scratching pads, create your own with some cardboard and a bit of glue. Simply cut strips of cardboard and glue them together to form a homemade cat scratching pad. You can even create fun shapes or multiple levels for added interest!

6. Braided Fleece Tug Toy

A flirt pole, an interactive toy perfect for getting your dog to chase, jump and pounce after, requires just a PVC pipe, a bungee cord, and a stuffed animal. Check out this DIY flirt pole tutorial for an easy step-by-step guide!

7. Sock Monkey for Dogs

Fleece blankets or old fleece fabric can be turned into a braided tug toy in mere minutes. Simply cut strips, tie them at the end, and braid them together to create a soft yet durable toy for your pet to play tug and fetch!

8. Knotted Towel Toy

Who doesn’t love a sock monkey? Your dog, too, can get in on the fun with a homemade sock monkey toy made from old socks! Stuff the sock with squeakers or old rags, sew it up, and then add a cute, cheeky face with buttons.

9. Toilet Paper Roll Cat Toy

Transform old towels into frayed knots that will intrigue your dog by following this simple knotted towel toy tutorial—a great way to upcycle and save money!

10. Stuffed Socks

Use an empty toilet paper roll to create a rolling cat toy that dispenses treats. Simply fold in the ends, add your cat's favorite treats, and watch them bat and spin the toy to get their rewards!

11. Cardboard Box Maze

Fill any old socks with batting, treats, or empty water bottles, then tie a knot at the top for a simple, easy DIY dog toy that will provide hours of fun.

12. Fabric Scraps Ball

Large appliance boxes quickly become a playful maze for your pets by cutting doors and windows on each side. Your dog or cat will love exploring the ins and outs!

13. PVC Pipe Puzzle

Have leftover fabric scraps? Turn them into a fabric scraps ball for your pet! Tie the scraps together, form a ball, and use fabric glue to hold everything in place. Playtime is just around the corner!

14. Peek-a-Boo Box for Cats

A PVC pipe puzzle toy forces your dog to use their problem-solving skills to access treats hidden within. Simply drill a few holes in the pipe, cap the ends, and fill the pipe with treats!

15. T-Shirt Rope Toy

Cats love to paw and explore. Just cut several holes into a shoebox, place a toy or treat inside, and watch your cat have a ball trying to retrieve the hidden treasure with their paw!

16. Suspended Tassel Toy

Recycle an old t-shirt into a versatile rope toy perfect for your pet to chew, tug, and toss around.

17. Tug-of-War Bottle

A suspended tassel toy for cats requires simply tying a yarn tassel to a long piece of string and attaching the string to a hanging spot. Cats will love leaping and swatting at the tantalizing, dangling toy!

18. Diy Ball and Rope Toy

Create a tug-of-war bottle using a plastic water bottle and some strong rope. Your pet will have a blast gnawing and wrestling with this improvised toy!

19. Treat Puzzle Feeder

With a tennis ball or rubber ball and a length of rope, you can put together a DIY ball-and-rope toy that your dog will love carrying, flinging, and chomping down on!

20. Toilet Roll Treat Dispenser

Transform a muffin tin and a few tennis balls into a treat puzzle feeder that challenges your dog to maneuver the balls to access the snacks underneath.

Place dry treats in an empty toilet roll and fold the ends. Your cat will be captivated as they bat the roll around to release the treats stored within!

Now that you have these 20 DIY pet toy ideas, you can keep your animal companions entertained for hours on end without breaking the bank. Homemade toys bring out the playful side of your pets, fostering a healthy relationship between you and your furry friend!