Last Updated: July 2026
Bond with your pets to make them feel loved, and let them chase, munch, and play with these DIY dog toys. Read on to learn how you can keep your pets cheerful by recycling your items to make dog toys.
10 DIY Dog Toys and Treats You Can Make to Spoil Your Pet
1. DIY Dog Feeder
Aside from keeping your fur baby busy, this DIY pet feeder will also make him distracted. Give this to your pup during dinner time, so he won’t be jealous of what you’re eating.
Full tutorial: DIY Minimalistic Pet Feeder
Building this custom wooden feeder was one of my favorite weekend builds, and it is incredibly satisfying to see my dog use something I crafted with my own hands. That said, if you don’t have a fully equipped workshop at home or just need a second set for travel, this stylish bamboo feeder is a beautiful, ready-to-go option.
2. Dog Agility Toy
Keep your furry friend fit and active with this DIY dog toy that’s simple to make. You can set this up in any spacious area in your home or backyard. Use furniture-grade PVC pipe and fittings, since each of these pipes will serve as the ground bar.
If you’re teaching your dog some tricks, this would make for a great inclusion to his equipment. You can also use this toy to train him to move, think, and understand quickly.
3. Frozen Treats
Since dogs love to chew on things, they’ll enjoy both eating and playing with these DIY popsicles. They serve a dual-purpose, functioning as half-treat and half-toy.
🐶 Kitchen Quick-Guide: Frozen Pops
Ingredients: Plain dog-safe yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, and a tiny pinch of cinnamon.
- Mix: Stir ingredients together until completely smooth.
- Fill: Spoon into silicone molds or funnel into a clean, capless plastic bottle.
- Freeze: Place in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours until rock-solid.
- Serve: Pop out of the molds or hand over the uncapped bottle and let your pup play!
I make these frozen yogurt and applesauce treats every summer, and my pup absolutely loves digging into them. The real game-changer for me was switching from standard plastic ice trays to these flexible silicone molds, which make popping the frozen treats out quick, clean, and mess-free.
4. DIY Sock Dog Toy
This DIY toy is probably the easiest that you can make for your pet. You only need minimal materials, time, and effort to do this craft.
Put treats inside a sock, and push it toward the toe-end part. Knot the area above the ball so it would stay in its position even after throwing it around.
5. T-Shirt Dog Toy
If you have stacks of shirts in your cabinet that you’re not using anymore, transform them into a dog toy. Cut them into thin and long strips. You can use multi-colored fabrics so they would look colorful when braided.
These braids would keep your pet occupied, as he’ll be busy chewing them. There’s no doubt that your best friend would love this toy since it also smells like you.
6. Sweet Potato Dog Chew Toy
Put some fiber and flavor to your pup’s diet by adding sweet potato to his toy. Slice this vegetable into round pieces, then cut the middle part, leaving a hole in each potato. Afterward, put it inside the oven and bake it for five hours. This will dry out the potatoes.
Use a durable rope to create an unbreakable and chewable craft. This is also ideal for dogs who are teething.
7. DIY Dog Rope Tennis Ball Toy
Aside from a sock and shirt, a rope can also be a partner of a tennis ball. It would make for both a tugging and chewing toy for him.
Drill into both sides of the ball so you can thread your rope through it. Then, tie knots to keep the ball in place. It might be a challenge if you’re not fluent in knotting, but the result would be worth it. For projects #6 and #7, this is where I got my rope:
8. Dog Water Bottle Toy
You can make both your pet and the environment happy with this DIY dog toy made of plastic bottles. Instead of throwing away empty water bottles, fashion them into tug toys for your pup.
Wrap a bottle in colorful fabrics, then tie the ends. Your dog will chew on it, so braid the hanging parts of the cloth for security. The crinkly, crunch sound that the bottle makes would engage and please your furry friend.
9. Ring Dog Toy
If you have some spare ropes at home, use them to create a chewable ring toy for your pup. This DIY dog toy is easy to make, you can even create many pieces in various sizes.
Use different colors to make this toy more vibrant. Braid and do a crown knot to put the ropes together.
You’re also not restricted to creating a ring-shaped toy. You can be as inventive as you want with its form.
10. Denim Dog Toy
It’s not a problem if you don’t have a sewing machine at your home. You just need a pair of scissors and old pants to make this DIY dog toy.
Recycle your tattered jeans by cutting them into long strips. Tie them together until you come up with ball-shaped denim.
Like your ring rope toy, you can also get creative with the shape if you want. Additionally, since denim is heavy-duty, this toy will last for a while.
Watch this video by Rosanna Pansino to learn how to make some homemade dog treats:
Keep your pets energetic with these DIY dog toys. Use the resources around your house, and transform them into dog toys that you and your furry friend will love.
QUICK POLL
What pet project should we tackle next?
Do you have other DIY dog toys in mind that you’d like to play with your pet? Share them with us in the comments section below!
