DIY dog toys

The toys and clothes that your children have grown out of are gathering dust in the basement. You end up giving them to someone, right? Meanwhile, your dog is constantly in need of new and sometimes quite expensive toys. Is there a way to use old junk around the house to create fun DIY toys for your beloved puppy? Yes, of course, you can easily make such toys with your own hands.

Here are five easy ideas for turning old baby clothes into homemade dog toys.

Comfortable couch

Give your pet the perfect daytime nap by transforming the mattress from a crib into a bed. Crib mattresses are the perfect size and are a good alternative to an expensive bed. You can use the mattress pad as a blanket or make a separate set using only a couple of meters of fabric of your choice, smooth joints, an iron and a little duct tape, creating a wonderful place for your beloved pet to sleep!

Tricky obstacle course

Use old aqua noodles, hoops, and discarded boxes to create your own backyard obstacle course. Aqua noodles and a hoop can be turned into obstacles for your dog to jump over, and an empty cardboard box can be turned into a natural tunnel. The obstacle course is also a great place to exercise. You can teach your puppy gestures and commands while he is having fun and exercising.

Crispy chew toy

Turn an empty plastic bottle and an old pair of baby socks into an irresistible crunchy toy for your dog in less than five minutes. All you have to do is put a water bottle in an old sock and just tie off the ends with string or thick thread. If the sock is thin, place the bottle in three or four socks so that the bottle is well covered. Otherwise, it may tear or crack, creating sharp edges that the dog could injure himself on.

Durable tug rope

Cut strips of fabric from two shirts that your child has outgrown (or hopelessly soiled) to make a braided tug-of-war. BarkPost offers a guide on how to get this project done in minutes!

New cuddle buddy

Cut open one of your child’s unwanted soft toys, remove the stuffing, and re-sew. Your dog now has a cuddle buddy to carry around with you, and you no longer have to worry about bits of litter scattered all over the house. However, first make sure that anything that could create a choking hazard, such as buttons or tags, can be removed from the toy.

While getting creative and looking for new uses for old baby clothes is a fun and wallet-friendly idea, the main issue you should always consider is safety. You need to make sure that the item you are going to remake will not harm your pet. For example, if he chews on a soft toy and swallows the filler, it may cause him intestinal problems that require surgery. And if he bites through a hard plastic toy, such as a doll or a cube, he can break a tooth. If you’re worried that your dog has swallowed something they shouldn’t have, or injured themselves while chewing on something they shouldn’t, call your veterinarian right away. Veterinary Practice News interviewed several veterinarians who have had to surgically remove items ranging from golf balls to door hinges from their patients’ stomachs. Don’t let this happen to your dog!

With a little creativity and a little common sense, you can turn your child’s old toys into new ones for your pet, as well as save money. However, make sure your dog knows which toys are for him now and which he should not touch. Just because your kids have given up on a few old soft toys doesn’t mean there aren’t any in your home that should be out of the question for pets. With a little time and training, your dog will figure out the do’s and don’ts, so get creative and then play with your favorite four-legged friend!