Who doesn’t love to see their puppy playing and having a lot of fun, right? Depending on their personality, some dogs feel a greater need to expend energy through toys and games that stimulate them intellectually. 

Other dogs, however, have a high level of vitality and energy and need to play a lot, run around and participate in more hectic activities, so that this level of energy is properly dispensed.

This is essential because many animals end up getting really frustrated if they have this excess energy. The result of this can be an animal that shows strong symptoms of anxiety and stress, resulting in excessive itching or behavior that ends up being considered destructive.

Other animals, however, need play to keep their weight and shape up to date, as they have a greater tendency to gain weight. Playing for them is like going to the gym for humans.

However, some dog toys can be quite expensive, having a price that can be unaffordable for many, right?

With that in mind and thinking about the best for your dog, we decided to create this guide with tips on how to make homemade dog toy . The idea is that the tips will help you discover the internet tutorials that you can use to make the best dog toys. Check out!

But, how to make dog toys?

There are several types of toys that can be made with utensils we already have at home. So, below, we list some of them for you!

bottle toys

Bottle toys are toys that can be made from a PET bottle. Some people adapt them so that the bottle has holes, which can be filled with treats, which fall out as the dog manipulates and bites the same bottle, imitating famous plastic toys, such as Kong.

There are also dogs that like to play “catch” with their own pet bottle. For this, the owner kneads the central part of the bottle, leaving the middle flat and the ends more rounded. That way, the bottle doesn’t go as far and it’s easier for the dog to pick up.

rope toys

There are dogs that love to play tug of war. For this type, you can use, for example, a form of rope that is braided, so that it is more resistant. If the dog is small and delicate, turn an old shirt into rope, braiding the cloth to make it more resistant.

The fibers of the shirt are softer than those of the rope, so they are less likely to hurt your pet’s teeth.

dog toys to bite

It’s no use: there’s a dog that just wants to bite. And, let’s face it, better he bites his own toy than destroying a piece of furniture in the house or a shoe, right?

In these cases, it is recommended to give him a toy suitable for dogs, such as that plastic chicken, and a teether made for dogs.

This is because these materials are made with a plastic that is more resistant to bites and do not usually release pieces, which can be swallowed by the dog, causing intestinal obstruction, for example.

However, if your budget is tight, you can replace some of these toys with items that are rubber and preferably don’t fall apart easily.

5 important dog toy tips

check out 5 important tips about homemade toys!

1. Do not use sharp objects

Not using sharp objects is the first step to prevent the dog from getting hurt when playing with your toy. Certain materials may not look sharp at first, like a pet bottle, for example. 

However, as the dog handles it, points or tears may appear that can be sharp, causing injury to the paws or tongue of the material . Always pay attention to these details when thinking about how to make a dog toy.

2. Make proportional toys

It is not ideal to give a small dog a soccer ball, like the Pomeranian, to play with. It’s also not interesting to give a ping pong ball to a Labrador Retriever , right?

When thinking about how to make a dog toy, consider the proportion.

If the object created is too big for your dog or too small, chances are he won’t even care about what he created. Pay attention to details.

3. Stipulate the toy’s function

Will your toy make the dog run, make him exercise or encourage him to spend hours in the same place playing without moving much?

Stipulating the function of the toy is essential so that the owner does not get frustrated when he sees that the dog is playing with the object in a way he did not expect.

With the toy’s function in mind, it’s also easier to find the perfect tutorial on how to create a dog toy online. 

4. Stimulate more than one sense

When we watch television, we are being stimulated in sight and hearing. When we taste delicious food in a star-studded restaurant, the sense of smell, taste and also vision come into play. Using more than one sense makes any experience even more special and the same goes for dog toys.

Toys that stimulate the animal’s sense of smell, with a hidden treat, for example, are more interesting than a toy that is only colored.

A toy that has a different texture, like a rope, but also makes noise, can keep a dog entertained for hours.

Analyze the senses when thinking about how to make a dog toy.

5. Don’t hesitate to buy if you can’t produce the toy

Did you follow all the tips on how to make dog toys, but the dog didn’t like it? Don’t worry!