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Our furry friends bring so much joy and love into our lives, which is why we love to spoil them with toys and treats! But instead of buying toys at the store, why not make your own DIY toys for pets? Not only can making your own toys save lots of money, but it’s also a great way to reuse old shirts that you haven’t worn in years!
Did you know that QVC also has a huge selection of quality pet items on its website? Find everything you need to improve their lives (including wellness treats for these DIY’s) at their site and get it all sent directly to your door!
And make sure you’re protecting the health of your pup. You can find some of the best natural dog vitamins and supplements at Finn. Finn is a pet wellness brand that empowers pet parents to give their pets exactly what they need to live healthy and happy every day.
DIY Toys for Pets
We have included three different tutorials (2 DIY toys for dogs and 1 DIY toy for cats) that you can make with just a few materials you have at home.
Materials to Make Toys for Dogs:
- Old T-shirts/jersey clothes
- A marker
- A screwdriver
- Sewing Scissors (like these from Target)
- Ruler
- 8 inch (20cm) squared piece of cardboard
Toy #1: The Snuffle Mat
A snuffle mat is a great toy to keep your pup’s mind active and engaged. By placing a few dog treats in between the pieces of fabric, he’ll be encouraged to use his instinctual foraging skills to find where they are hidden.
- Before we make this DIY toy for dogs, we’ll need to make a grid of where to tie the fabric. On your sheet of cardboard (or sink mat), make small marks that are 1-inch away from each other (you can use your ruler to make sure the dots are evenly spaced out). Make sure that you have an even number of dots in each row.
- Poke holes in the dots using your screwdriver.
- We will need several 1-inch-thick strips pieces of fabric that are approximately 7-inches long. We recommend making tiny 1-inch cuts in your shirt, then tearing the fabric with your hands into strips.
- Feel free to cut different types of T-shirts for more fabric colors.
- Now we can start threading the cardboard. Take the end of one strip of fabric and push it through one of the corner holes (use the screwdriver to help you push it in).
- Take the other end of the same piece of fabric and push it through the second hole.
- On the backside of the cardboard, tie a knot to secure the ends together.
- Continue threading the mat and tying the threads in the same direction with alternating fabric colors.
- Using more threads of fabric, thread the mat all the holes are connected. Each “square” should be touching.
- Tie the threads on the back (feel free to double knot for extra security).
- With the square side facing down, hide small treats in the threads and let your pet have fun sniffing out their new toy!
Toy #2: Simple Braid
This tutorial is super simple to make and only requires a few pieces of fabric and some basic braiding skills! However, it’s a guaranteed winner for any playful companion you have in your home!
- To make this easy DIY toy for dogs, we’ll need several strips of an old T-shirt. Ideally, you’ll want to use three different shirts to have three different fabric colors.
- Separate the three colors and tie them at the top with a piece of fabric.
- Start braiding the threads together.
- Once the braid is finished, use another thread to secure the toy together at the bottom.
Materials to Make Toy for Cats:
- Old T-shirts/jersey clothes
- Sewing Scissors
- Ruler
- A hoop cut from a piece of cardboard
Before going to the next DIY toy if you want to keep your pet healthier and Happier, just have a look at Petsmart it offers quality products and accessories. Also, you can find in-store pet services like Grooming, Training, Doggie Day Care, and overnight boarding!
Toy #3: Cat Toy
Don’t worry, feline friends! We have tutorials to make DIY toys for cats too! This soft, stringy toy will trigger your cat’s wild side while also entertaining him for hours on end.
- Start by measuring and cutting 1-inch-thick strips of fabric that are 7-inches long. If your shirt has seams, make sure to remove those. We are using three different shirts in three different colors/patterns.
- Tie one thread in a knot around the cardboard hoop.
- Continue tying knots onto the hoop with the rest of the fabric strips, alternating colors or patterns until the entire hoop is covered.
- Toss to your cat and let them play with their new DIY toy!
Spoil Your Fur-Babies
Making DIY toys for pets isn’t the only way to spoil them! Why not whip up a few homemade dog treats (using simple, healthy ingredients you already have in your pantry) or invest in other fun pet-related gadgets that they’ll love?
