You don’t always have to go to the store to keep your pet busy. With some imagination and everyday items, you can make fun toys and games for your furry friend that will keep them happy and busy. You can do these easy projects at home!
1. Tug-of-War Rope Toy
Things You’ll Need:
- Clothes bits or old T-shirts
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Make long strips about 3 inches wide out of old T-shirts or fabric scraps.
- Put the strips together and tie one end into a knot.
- Tightly braid the strips until they reach the length you want.
- To keep the braid in place, tie another knot at the other end.
- Now you have a strong tug-of-war toy that you and your dog can play with!
Why Your Pet Will Love It: Dogs enjoy the task of tug-of-war, and this homemade rope toy can handle a lot of pulling for fun.
2. Interactive Treat Puzzle
Things You’ll Need:
- Tennis balls and a muffin pan
- Small treats
Instructions:
- In each muffin tin cup, put a small treat.
- Put a tennis ball on top of each treat.
- Help your pet figure out how to get to the treats by taking out the tennis balls.
Why Your Pet Will Love It: This easy puzzle will keep your pet’s mind active and give them tasty treats as a prize. It’s the perfect game for smart cats and dogs.
3. Sock Ball Toy:
Materials Needed:
- Old Socks
- Choose to use crinkle paper or plastic.
- Small squeaker or ball (not required)
Instructions:
- Put some crinkle paper, a small ball, or a squeaker inside an old sock to make it more fun.
- To keep the stuffing in place, tie a knot at the open end of the sock.
- You can roll or throw the sock ball for your pet to play with and follow.
Why Your Pet Will Love It: Pets that love to chew and chase will be drawn to this toy’s soft feel and crinkly sound.
4. Cardboard Box Maze
Things You’ll Need:
- A number of cardboard boxes
- Knife or scissors
Instructions:
- Make holes in each cardboard box for entry and exit.
- Set up the boxes in a maze shape and tape them together firmly.
- Put some treats or your pet’s favorite toy inside the puzzle to get it to explore.
Why Your Pet Will Love It: Cats especially like to explore passageways and places to hide. You can have fun and get some exercise in this puzzle for hours.
6. Feather Wand for Cats
What You Need:
- Stick or pin made of wood
- Feathers on a string or small pieces of fabric
Instructions:
- Attach a string to one end of the stick or dowel made of wood.
- At the other end of the string, add feathers or small pieces of fabric.
- When you wave the wand in front of your cat, they’ll jump and pounce.
Why Your Pet Will Love It: Cats love to chase things that move and swat them. This feather wand will make them feel like they’re hunting while also giving them a great workout.