DIY Dog Toys: 13 Free Ideas Made From Things Already in Your House

DIY dog toys are proof that your pup does not care what something costs, only how much fun it is. Dogs chew through store toys fast, and the bill adds up, but your closet, linen cupboard and recycling bin are already full of free supplies. Old T-shirts become tug ropes, towels become treat puzzles and a plain cardboard box becomes the most exciting thing in the house. These ideas are going wild online, with one cardboard treat toy video passing 37 million views. Most take under twenty minutes and need nothing more than scissors and a few knots. Always supervise play, toss anything that starts to fall apart, and get ready for a very happy, very tired dog..

DIY Dog Toys Start With a Braided T-Shirt Tug Rope

Old T-shirts make the best tug ropes, and one Facebook video showing how to turn a tee into a dog toy pulled in 39,000 reactions and 13,000 shares. Cut a few shirts into long strips, knot them together at one end, braid tightly and knot again. The soft cotton is gentle on teeth, and bright colors make it easy to spot in the yard. Make it thick for big dogs and slim for little ones. It takes about fifteen minutes and costs nothing. Start here, because your pup will love it..

You will need: Three or four old cotton T-shirts, sharp scissors, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Cut the shirts into strips about 2 inches wide. 2. Gather 6 to 9 strips and tie a tight knot at one end. 3. Split them into three bunches and braid tightly. 4. Knot the end and trim the tails. 5. Supervise play and replace it when it frays.

A Knotted Towel Treat Roll

That thin old bath towel is about to become your dog’s favorite puzzle. Lay it flat, sprinkle small treats along it, roll it up tightly and tie it in a loose knot. Your dog has to nose, paw and unroll it to find every bite, which is great for brain work on rainy days. Tie it tighter as they get smarter. For more ways to reuse worn towels around the house, try these old towel upcycles. Does your dog love a challenge?

You will need: An old bath or hand towel, small dog treats or kibble.

How to make it: 1. Lay the towel flat. 2. Scatter treats across it. 3. Roll it up from the long side. 4. Tie it in a loose knot and let your dog work it out.

A Cardboard Box Treat Dispenser

A cardboard treat dispenser video from the creator The Q has been watched an incredible 37 million times on YouTube, and it is easy to see why. Cut a few holes in a small box, slightly bigger than your dog’s kibble, drop in a handful of food and tape it shut. As your dog pushes and rolls it, little rewards fall out. It turns dinner into a game and slows down fast eaters. Throw it away once it gets soggy or chewed. What will your dog do first, push or pounce?

You will need: A small clean cardboard box with no staples, scissors (adult use), paper tape, kibble or small treats.

How to make it: 1. Remove any staples or plastic. 2. Cut 4 to 6 holes a little bigger than the kibble. 3. Add a handful of food. 4. Tape the box shut and let your dog roll it.

DIY Dog Toys for Smart Pups: A Muffin Tin Puzzle

This is one of the easiest DIY dog toys you can make, and dogs figure it out fast. Drop a treat into a few cups of a muffin tin, then cover every cup with a tennis ball. Your dog has to sniff out which balls hide a reward and nudge them away. Start with only a couple of treats so they win quickly, then make it harder. Use a large tin for big dogs and keep play on the floor where it cannot tip. How fast do you think your pup can solve it?

You will need: A metal muffin tin, tennis balls or soft toys big enough to fill each cup, small treats.

How to make it: 1. Put treats in a few of the cups. 2. Cover every cup with a ball. 3. Set it on the floor. 4. Cheer your dog on as they find the rewards.

An Egg Carton Sniff Box

An empty egg carton is a perfect sniffing game, and an egg carton enrichment video passed 371,000 views. Put a treat in some of the cups, stuff crumpled paper on top, and close the lid loosely. Dogs love using their noses, and ten minutes of sniffing can tire them out like a walk. Let them rip the carton apart if they want, then clear away the pieces. Only use plain cardboard cartons, never foam ones. Will your dog go slow and sneaky or dive right in?

You will need: A plain cardboard egg carton, scrap paper, small treats.

How to make it: 1. Drop treats into a few cups. 2. Fill the cups with crumpled paper. 3. Close the lid loosely. 4. Supervise and tidy up the scraps afterward.

An Old Jeans Tug Toy

Denim is tough, which makes old jeans perfect for strong chewers. Cut the legs into long strips, braid three thick bunches together and finish with a big knot at each end. The rough texture is fun to grab and it holds up well in games of tug. Cut off any buttons, rivets and zippers first, since only the fabric should go into the toy. A pair of outgrown jeans can make two or three toys. Who wins tug of war at your house?

You will need: Old jeans with all metal parts removed, sharp scissors, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Cut off the waistband, pockets and seams with metal. 2. Cut the legs into long strips. 3. Knot, braid tightly and knot again. 4. Check it often and retire it when it frays.

Soft DIY Dog Toys: A Fleece Knot Ball

Soft DIY dog toys like this fleece knot ball are perfect for small dogs, puppies and gentle seniors. Stack a few long strips of fleece in a cross shape, then knot and weave them over and under until you have a firm, squishy ball. Fleece does not fray, so there are no loose threads. It is light enough to toss indoors without knocking anything over. Pick colors that match your living room or go bright and fun. What color would your pup choose?

You will need: Fleece fabric or an old fleece blanket, sharp scissors, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Cut 6 strips about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long. 2. Lay them in a star shape. 3. Knot and weave the strips over each other into a tight ball. 4. Trim the ends and toss it to your dog.

The Old Sock and Tennis Ball Toy

This might be the oldest trick in the dog toy book, and it still works. Drop a tennis ball into the toe of a long old sock and tie a knot right above the ball. Now you have a toy that flings, bounces and swings in the funniest ways. Many dogs love grabbing the floppy end while they play. Use a sturdy sock and replace it as soon as there are holes, and keep it for supervised play only. Do you have a lonely sock waiting for a new job?

You will need: One long, sturdy old sock with no holes, a tennis ball sized for your dog.

How to make it: 1. Push the ball down into the toe of the sock. 2. Tie a tight knot just above the ball. 3. Tie a second knot near the top for grip. 4. Throw, tug and enjoy.

A Busy Box of Crumpled Paper

Some dogs just need to dig and shred, and a busy box gives them a safe place to do it. Fill a cardboard box with crumpled packing paper or plain shredded paper and hide a few treats inside. Dogs dig, toss and search, and the mess stays in one spot. A free and easy enrichment ideas video from Dear Fig passed 751,000 views with tricks just like this one. Use plain paper only, no glossy or inked sheets, and remove any tape or staples. Ready for some happy chaos?

You will need: A cardboard box with no staples, plain packing paper or shredded plain paper, small treats.

How to make it: 1. Crumple the paper loosely. 2. Fill the box halfway and sprinkle in treats. 3. Add more paper on top. 4. Let your dog dig in while you watch.

Cooling DIY Dog Toys: A Frozen Pumpkin Lick Dish

Cooling DIY dog toys like a frozen lick dish are perfect after a busy walk. Spread plain canned pumpkin puree or plain yogurt into the grooves of a textured mat or slow feeder dish, then freeze it for a few hours. Licking is calming for many dogs, and the frozen layer makes the treat last much longer. Use plain pumpkin, not pie filling, and skip anything with added sweeteners. Your vet can tell you how much is right for your dog. Is your pup a fast licker or a slow savorer?

You will need: A textured lick mat or slow feeder dish, plain canned pumpkin puree or plain yogurt, a spatula.

How to make it: 1. Spread a thin layer of pumpkin into the grooves. 2. Smooth it with the spatula. 3. Freeze it for 2 to 3 hours. 4. Serve it on the floor and wash it after use.

Hide and Seek Blanket Burrito

Here is a game that costs nothing and makes every dog wiggle with joy. Lay a blanket flat, place a few treats or a favorite toy in the middle, then fold the sides in and roll it up like a burrito. Your dog has to nose and paw through the layers to find the prize. Some dogs end up curled inside it for a nap afterward, which is a pretty good ending. Use an old blanket that you do not mind getting a little hairy. Will your dog be a seeker or a snuggler?

You will need: An old soft blanket, a few small treats or a favorite toy.

How to make it: 1. Lay the blanket flat. 2. Place the treats in the middle. 3. Fold in the sides and roll it loosely. 4. Encourage your dog to find the prize.

A Fleece Strip Snuffle Mat

A snuffle mat looks like a fluffy rug, but it is really a treasure hunt. Tie short strips of fleece through the holes of a rubber sink mat until it is thick and shaggy, then sprinkle kibble deep into the strips. Dogs sniff and dig to find every piece, which slows down eating and burns off energy. It is a calm, quiet job for a rainy afternoon or a long movie night. Shake it out and toss it in the wash when it gets dirty. Have you ever seen a dog snuffle?

You will need: A rubber sink mat with holes, fleece fabric, sharp scissors, kibble or small treats.

How to make it: 1. Cut fleece into strips about 1 inch by 6 inches. 2. Push each strip through two holes and tie a double knot. 3. Fill every row until the mat is thick. 4. Hide kibble in the strips.

A Crate to Hold All Your DIY Dog Toys

With so many new DIY dog toys, you will need somewhere to keep them. A low wooden crate or basket by the sofa makes cleanup quick, and many dogs learn to pick their own toy each day. Rotate the toys every few days so old favorites feel brand new again. Toss anything torn, soggy or falling apart. Dog lovers on MSN keep sharing genius hacks every dog owner needs to know, and this one keeps your floor clear. Which toy will your dog pick first?

You will need: A low woven basket or sturdy wooden crate, a soft liner or old towel, your new toys.

How to make it: 1. Line the basket with a towel. 2. Place it where your dog likes to rest. 3. Keep three or four toys out at a time. 4. Swap them every few days.