Happy Holidays! As you are wrapping up (or perhaps just starting out with) your holiday shopping, don’t forget to get something for your pet. There are of course tons of options for things that you can get your furry bestie in stores, but if you are a crafty type, you can also try your hand at making things. A Greeley, CO veterinarian offers some suggestions on DIY toys. 

DIY Toys For Your Dog

Entertainment and stimulation are both very important for all animals, but they really are particularly crucial for our canine buddies. Fido needs plenty of toys to keep that cute tail going! Playing not only keeps your four-legged friend active and moving, it also helps prevent boredom, which in turn helps reduce mischievous tactics such as digging, chewing, and chasing every squirrel on the block. 

Different toys serve different purposes for our canine companions. Fido may want to snuggle up with that cute teddy bear plushie at night, but he may want his rope toy when he wants you to play with him. That chew toy may satisfy your pet’s urge to gnaw on things, while a puzzle toy can help to keep him occupied while you are at work. 

Here are a few options: 

Rope Toy: This is a wonderful way to upcycle some clothes that have seen better days. You can use jeans, shirts, towels, or even pillowcases. Just choose items without things like sparkles or other decorations. Cut the piece into thin strips. You can use things that are different colors for a prettier aesthetic, though Fido won’t care what his toy looks like. braid those strips together, merging them into larger pieces. Then, do the same with the bigger pieces. When it’s the right thickness, tie it off in a big knot. 

That’s the basic version. You can also incorporate things like tennis balls or sweet pumpkin jerky. Or, experiment with making different shapes. 

Doggie Advent Calendar: This is a really cute way to help Fido make the most of the entire holiday season. You can make these calendars in many ways. Wall calendars, little lunchbags, and wrapped up treats are just a few options.  

Snack Dispenser: Put some pieces of kibble into a clean, empty plastic soda or water bottle. Then, just let Fido have at it! If he gets a bit too good at it, put bits of paper into the bottle to make it a bit harder for him. Easy, peasy! 

Muffin Pan Fun: You’ll need several balls, a muffin tin, and some small treats or pieces of kibble. Put the goodies in random slots in the muffin tin, and then put the balls over them. Fido will have to get the balls out to get his snacks. Just be sure to use balls that are a safe and appropriate size for your pooch.

Snuffle Mats and Snuffle Balls: If there’s one thing that is guaranteed to draw your pup’s interest, it’s food. Therefore, it’s really no wonder that treat-dispensing toys are very popular with our canine companions. You can make snuffleballs or mats pretty easily. For a ball, you would need one of those lattice-style balls, the type that looks sort of like a rounded frame with holes. Then, get some sort of material. Fleece is another good option. You’ll want to cut your chosen material into thin strips. Then, simply knot the strips around the bars of the ball frame. Keep going until the entire thing is covered. When it’s done, stick small pieces of kibble into the knot pockets. 

Homemade Toys For Cats

Kitties are always super cute, but they somehow manage to be extra adorable at this time of year. (Fluffy does this deliberately, to ensure that we forgive her for that quintessential kitty holiday mischief, such as knocking trees over and pouncing on all those gift boxes.) Of course, our feline overlords are truly precious gifts. They deserve a few special things of their own. 

Here are a few purrfect options for Fluffy:

Catnip Toys: Start by cutting two pieces of material into the same shape and size. Then, put one atop the other, with the outsides facing in. The mouse shape is optional! Fluffy does not really care what shape her toys are. Sew them together, leaving just a small opening. Use that opening to pull the material through, so that it’s facing the right way. Then, use that same hole to put catnip in. You can use a small funnel, or make one out by rolling up a piece of paper. When you’re done, fill the hole and sew it up. 

Beds: If cats were able to actually write out her wish list, it’s safe to say beds would be on it. While our feline pals are not shy about making themselves comfortable on our laps, furniture, computers, and sometimes dishware, they do appreciate having proper beds for all of those naps. You can make a simple bed using the same method we outlined in the catnip mouse bit, except with larger pieces of material and a different stuffing. You can also make them out of sweaters. Trim and sew the torso into an O-shape. Then, sew the sleeves closed at the wrist. Next, sew them to the body. Use the neck hole to fill the arms and torso, then sew that closed. 

Cat Towers: The cat tower is by far Fluffy’s favorite piece of purrniture. This is a great time of year to buy one, as it may also help with keeping your frisky kitty out of the tree. You can repurpose an old stepladder or bookcase for this. Or, make one out of scratch out of lumber or PVC pipe. 

Box Castle: This is always a pretty fun and cute way to use all those leftover boxes after everyone has finished opening their gifts. Remove anything that could be dangerous, such as ribbons, staples, and tape. 

Wand Toys: These are really easy to make. Just tie some feathers and strips of material together, then attach them to a string and attach the other end of the string to a stick or piece of plastic. There are a few safety caveats on this one. Never leave these toys out between uses. Your pet could get tangled up if she were to try using them when you aren’t there. Also, don’t make them too long.

General Tips On DIY Pet Toys

No matter what you want to make or get for your pet, it’s important to put safety first. Never give your pet anything that is small or sharp. Items with ropes or cords are also unsafe, as is anything that is coated in a protective coating, such as paint, dye, or varnish. Ask your vet for more information. 

Make An Appointment At Our Pet Hospital 

Do you need to bring your furry pal in? Please feel free to contact us at any time. As your local animal clinic, we are here to help!