This scene is all too familiar: I come back from the pet shop carrying a squeaky plush that cost nearly as much as a chuck roast. I fling it to my golden retriever, Ike, who promptly disembowels, beheads and silences it in minutes. Then he gazes up at me, tongue lolling, as if to ask, “What now?”
Pet playthings can be pricey: Ike can demolish a $12 toy in ten minutes. No problem — you can craft your own dog toys for a tiny fraction of the price andsometimes for nothing at all.
12 Low-Cost, Simple DIY Dog Toys Your Canine Will Adore
Homemade dog toys not only spare your wallet, they let you reuse items that might otherwise be tossed. Bonus: making them is entertaining!
Always choose pet-safe materials, supervise play, and regularly check toys for wear or hazards.
Here are some straightforward homemade toys Ike gives his paw of approval to:
1. Fleece Plushies
Ike is a fan of stuffed playthings, but he doesn’t need anything elaborate to be satisfied.
Typical retail price: $5–$19
Cost to DIY: about $1.50
Supplies:
- ¼ yard fleece: roughly $1 (prices vary)
- Small handfuls of stuffing: 50¢
- Needle and thread: free if you already own them
How to:
Cut two identical shapes from the fleece. Place the fabric sides you want on the outside together, sewing around the edge but leaving a gap for stuffing. Turn it right-side out, fill with stuffing, then stitch the opening closed.
Try different materials to see what your dog prefers. An old T-shirt saves money and carries your scent, which dogs often enjoy.
2. Restuffable Plush
Some dogs, like Ike, can empty a stuffed toy in seconds. To keep fluff from being swallowed, try this Kol’s Notes Restuffable Dog Toy.
Typical retail price: $5–$19
Cost to DIY: about $1.20 (depends on toy size)
Supplies:
- Felt squares: ~30¢ each
- Old or new plush toy: free if you already have one
- Scissors: free if you own them
How to:
Slice the felt into long strips. Make a slit in the plush and remove the original stuffing. Refill the toy with the felt strips and sew the opening closed.
3. Socktopus
If sewing isn’t your strong suit, this one is for you — it requires no stitches.
Typical retail price: $7.50
Cost to DIY: Free!
Supplies:
- Mismatched socks: free
How to:
Lay two socks crossing like an “X.” Tie the lower sock around the upper sock at the center. If you have more socks, continue tying to create up to eight “legs.”
Your dog won’t mind if your socktopus lacks a full set of legs — but if your pup confuses it with laundry, you might want to keep it out of the hamper.
4. Bouncy Sock Ball
Another no-sew concept using a sock.
Typical retail price: $6.99
Cost to DIY: 65¢ (or free if you already have an old tennis ball)
Supplies:
- Tennis ball: ~65¢
- Old sock: free
How to:
Push the tennis ball into an old sock and knot the sock’s open end. Done.
5. Treat Ball
Toys with food inside captivate Ike, and this Tennis Ball Treat Dispenser idea from Instructables is a breeze to make.
Typical retail price: $9.95
Cost to DIY: 65¢ plus a few treats
Supplies:
- Tennis ball: ~65¢
- Treats: use what you already have
- Knife: household item
How to:
Slice a slit along the ball’s seam to create a flap. Slide in treats through the opening and let your dog work to remove them.
6. Rope Tug
Some mutts get pure joy from gnawing a rope.
Typical retail price: $5.99–$12.99
Cost to DIY: about $2.00
Supplies:
- Cotton rope: ~$2.00
How to:
Cut the rope to the length you want and tie knots at each end. If you’re knot-savvy, try a square knot, monkey’s fist, or a cat’s paw.
7. Braided Tug
A sturdy homemade option for chewers.
Typical retail price: $9.99
Cost to DIY: Free
Supplies:
- Worn-out or outgrown jeans: free
How to:
Cut jeans into three long strips. Knot them together at one end, braid the strips, then secure the other end with a knot.
8. Crinkle Toy
Many commercial toys hide a plastic bottle inside to make noise — you can do the same with what you have.
Typical retail price: $6.99–$15.99
Cost to DIY: Free
Supplies:
- Empty plastic water bottle: free
- Old sock: free
How to:
Slip the empty bottle into a sock and tie off the sock’s open end. That’s all it takes.
9. Seat Belt Chew Toy
Typical retail price: $7.99
Cost to DIY: Varies
Supplies:
- Old car seat belt: cost varies
How to:
If you have access to a salvage vehicle, cut a length of seat belt material, remove the buckle, and knot the ends. If not, scrap yards may sell lengths for little money.
10. Hose Toss Ring
Don’t discard that cracked garden hose — turn it into a tossing ring following Wisebread’s Tossing Ring instructions.
Typical retail price: $6.99
Cost to DIY: Free
Supplies:
- Old garden hose: free
- 3-inch stick: free
How to:
Cut the hose to the size you want. Slide a short stick into one end of the hose and then loop the other end over the exposed stick end to create a secure ring for throwing.
11. Treat-Dispensing Bottle
This Kol’s Notes Treat Dispensing concept is an engaging DIY puzzle toy for dogs.
Typical retail price: $11.99
Cost to DIY: 99¢–$2 plus treats
Supplies:
- Soft foam ball: ~99¢
- Wide-mouth plastic bottle: free if you have one; dollar stores sell them cheaply
- Treats: use what you already have
How to:
Remove the cap and neck ring. Compress the foam ball to push it inside the bottle, then add treats. For a tougher challenge, stuff two or three balls inside.
12. Flirt Pole
Great for high-energy dogs. Retail models can cost up to $49, but you can assemble this Puppy Leaks Flirt Pole for much less.
Typical retail price: $22
Cost to DIY: $5.30 if you attach an existing dog toy
Supplies:
- PVC pipe: $2.50
- Bungee cord: $2.80
- Dog toy: varies
How to:
Cut a length of PVC to use as a handle. Make the bungee cord longer than the pipe and feed it through the pipe so both ends stick out. Tie knots at both ends of the cord so it can’t slip through. Leave several feet of cord protruding from the top and tie your dog’s favorite toy to the loose end. Wield the pole like a fishing rod to entice your dog — you’ll need quick moves if your pooch is lightning-fast!
Your Turn: Which of these do-it-yourself dog toys does your pet favor?
Rebecca Martin is a freelance pet columnist and the author of several guides on companion animals. Rebecca and her partner share their household with two elderly dogs and volunteer with a therapy-dog program alongside their golden retriever, Ike.
