Posted Mon 12 Jun 2023 at 09:00am
Boredom begone! Elevate your dog’s enrichment with our easy and cost-effective list of DIY dog toy hacks.
Mental and physical stimulation is key to your pup’s well-being. When dogs lack adequate enrichment, they may start to resort to destructive behaviours like digging up the garden or chewing your couch. But fear not! With a little creativity and some household items, you can create engaging activities for your pet. If you’re in need of some inspiration, our DIY dog toy hacks will keep your dog and your wallet happy.
1. Empty Toilet Paper Rolls
Instead of discarding your empty toilet paper rolls, store them in a container for the next time you need to distract Fido quickly. Flatten the roll, fill it with your pet’s preferred treats, fold the edges, and you’re ready! If you are popping out for a long time, you can combine multiple toilet rolls by taping the ends together. Not only does this DIY help promote healthy chewing habits, but it can keep your pooch entertained for hours. It’s a win-win for both your pet and your beloved couch!
2. Treat Towel
Ah, the good ol’ treats in a towel. This DIY dog toy hack is pretty straightforward – hide treats in a rolled-up towel and let your pup sniff them out. While this activity won’t provide hours of entertainment, it is a great idea when you’re short on preparation time.
3. Muffin Tin
Looking for an innovative way to keep your dog entertained? The Muffin Tin works similarly to a snuffle mat, except it’s easier to make and less expensive! With just a few simple household items – a muffin tin, tennis balls, and some tasty dog treats you can whip up a captivating activity in no time. By engaging with the muffin tin, your dog is exercising their senses and problem-solving skills.
4. Destruction Box
In this case, one man’s trash is another dog’s treasure! A destruction box (also known as a foraging box or treasure box) is a cardboard box filled with scrunched-up paper, egg cartons and toilet rolls that contain treats. Dogs have an innate desire to chew and explore; a destruction box can help fulfil their natural foraging instinct. This DIY dog toy hack is well-suited for pups with anxiety and is a life-saver for when they need to be left alone for a longer period of time.
5. Water Bottle
If you’re guilty of buying plastic water bottles, this DIY dog toy hack is for you. Stuffing treats inside an empty bottle is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it works every time! Pups will go mutts for this activity if they love noise. You’ll want to wash the bottle thoroughly and let it dry first. Milk cartons, soft drink bottles, and juice bottles will also do the trick. Keep your dog challenged by using a different-shaped bottle each time.
6. Tug Toy
Who would have thought that an old t-shirt could be transformed into a fabulous tug toy? The next time you clean your wardrobe, you may want to turn those unwanted shirts into your pup’s new playmate. To make this toy, you’ll need 2-3 shirts and a pair of scissors. Start by cutting the shirts into 12 long and wide strips. Once that’s done, lay them out and tie one knot at the end. Channel your inner hairdresser and braid the strips together, ensuring they’re as tight as possible. Complete your DIY dog toy hack by tying one final knot on the other end of the rope.
7. Tug-of-War Toy
It’s no surprise that dogs love a classic game of tug-of-war, but we know you can’t always be there to play it with them. So, we’ve found the perfect solution! Round up a few old towels or blankets, plait them into three long strips and wrap them around something solid like a tree. Your pup will be having so much fun they won’t even notice that you’re not there!
8. Squeaky Toy
Is your dog a serial sock thief? If you answered yes, then we’ve got the paw-fect DIY dog toy hack for you. You’ll need an old pair of socks and an old squeaky dog toy. Remove the squeaker from the dog toy, place it inside a sock, tie a really tight knot at the top and voila, you’re done! Not only will this keep Fido entertained, but it will keep their paws off your new socks!
Looking for some outdoor fun? Check out our dog-friendly activity guides that will keep you and your pet entertained while getting fresh air!
