7 Easy Dog Toys to Make at Home

As a dog mum of two, I joke that all my money goes on my dogs, but it’s only half in jest. As well as vet bills, a penchant for luxury treats, and their refusal to eat anything other than premium dog food with fancy toppers, it’s also toys that put a massive dent in my wallet. Especially when they require the hard-wearing ones, which are way more expensive, and yet still somehow get destroyed at the speed of light. In fact, as I attempt to write this, my dog Sherlock is begging me to throw his disembowelled Mr Potato Head plushie across the room. Poor Mr Potato Head.

Dog toys are essential for our pups’ mental and physical stimulation, so we can’t just do away with them because we’re broke. So, with the cost of living crisis affecting us all, here’s how to save some money by making toys at home. DIY dog toys made from upcycled materials you already have lying around, which have the same enrichment value as fancy pet store versions? Yes please. 

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Never leave any of these toys with your dog unattended, as they’re likely to be flimsier than their store-bought counterparts. If you have a dog who inhales everything in their sight, keep an extra close eye on them.  

If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

The T-shirt tugger

Difficulty level: medium
Best for: dogs who love tug-of-war
An alternative to: Pooch Dog Tug Toy, from £10.99

What you need 

• old T-shirt(s)

• scissors

How to make it

1. Cut the T-shirt into strips with equal-sized widths (the length of the strips will depend on how long you want the toy to be). If you’d like a multi-coloured toy, use strips from different coloured T-shirts.

2. Take three strips and roll each one lengthways into a sausage shape.

3. Place the strips next to each other on a flat surface.

4. Tie the strips together at the top using an overhand knot.

5. Tightly plait the strips together (it might be helpful to have someone hold the top of the strips for you).

6. Secure at the end with another overhand knot. 

Why it works

“This one’s great as some dogs love to focus on knots, so you can even add extra knots,” suggests dog trainer, Joe Nutkins. “The stretch of jersey fabric can make a tug game nicer for the dog as there’ll be some shock absorbance. Plus, older dogs or those with dental issues who find harder rope toys uncomfortable may appreciate the softer material.”

Safety notes

“The fabric could potentially cause a foreign body if your dog rips it off and chews it,” warns veterinary surgeon, Dr Lydia Marek. “It’s not a super high risk, but you never know, especially with a breed like a greedy Labrador.” 

Treat balls

Difficulty level: easy
Best for: puzzle-loving pooches
An alternative to: KONG Rewards Tennis Ball, Amazon, £10.94

What you need 

• old tennis ball

• sharp knife

• your dog’s favourite kibble or small dry treats

How to make it

1. Clean the tennis ball, if necessary, and wait until it’s fully dry.

2. Carefully cut a one inch slit or an ‘X’ in the side of the ball.

3. Squeeze the ball to see if the slit opens wide enough for a treat to fall out. If not, cut it a little wider. 

4. Place some small treats or kibble inside the ball.

5. Let your dog sniff the ball (to get a waft of the delicious food) and place it on the floor in front of them.

6. Watch as they figure out how to dispense the treats.

Why it works

“This turns a simple ball into a movement-based puzzle, blending chase and grab instincts with problem-solving and learning,” explains Nina Fotara, a holistic gun dog trainer, and founder of Confident Canine. “Dogs must work out how to roll, drop or squeeze the ball to make the treats fall out, combining persistence, coordination and confidence-building as they discover what works best.

“For some dogs, the movement of the ball can initially trigger excitement or chase drive, but the need to pause and work out how to release the treats helps engage the thinking brain. This shift from instinctive reaction to active problem-solving helps them focus, think through their actions and use energy in a more purposeful way.”

Safety notes

“If your dog chews off and swallows pieces of this, there’s a risk of foreign bodies,” Dr Marek advises. “They could also accidentally swallow the whole thing and choke on it – it’s rare, but it can happen. Also, tennis ball fabric is abrasive; we see a lot of dogs who regularly play with tennis balls as they can harm the teeth in the long run.”

Super snuffle towel

Difficulty level: easy
Best for: dogs who get bored easily
An alternative to: YEAKOO Dog Snuffle Mat, Amazon, £17

What you need 

• an old tea towel

• your dog’s favourite kibble or small dry treats

How to make it

1. Ensure your tea towel is clean and dry. 

2. Lay your tea towel flat and scatter a few treats across the surface, towards the centre.

3. Roll the tea towel up lengthways – the tighter it is, the harder it will be for your dog to get the treats.

4. Tie the towel up in a loose knot.

5. Place it in front of your dog and watch them figure out how to unravel the knot and get the goodies. 

Why it works

“Most dogs can reveal the hidden treats pretty quickly compared to some other puzzle games, so it makes it a very exciting version for them,” explains Joe. “Some dogs work out they don’t need to unroll the tea towel for the treats, but can make the treats fall out by just picking it up, which is even more fun!” 

Safety notes

Dr Marek notes that the risk factor of this toy depends on the dog. If your dog’s the type who eats everything, there’s a risk of them eating the entire tea towel, which can cause intestinal blockage (so keep an eye on your pup while they play!).

Loo roll licker

Difficulty level: easy
Best for: small to medium-sized calm dogs
An alternative to: Kong Classic Chew Treat Dog Toy, Pets at Home, from £8

What you need 

• an empty toilet roll tube

• smooth peanut butter, dog liver paste or cream cheese

• a table knife (optional)

How to make it

1. Spread the peanut butter, liver paste or cream cheese along the inside of the toilet roll, using your fingers or a table knife.

2. If you want to increase the difficulty level, pop the coated toilet roll in the freezer until the contents have frozen.

3. Give it to your dog and watch them figure out how to get to the contents. 

Why it works

“This combines licking, scent and gentle puzzle-solving enrichment,” says Nina. “Licking is a naturally self-soothing behaviour that helps dogs release endorphins and shift into a calmer state, slowing their breathing and heart rate while engaging the parasympathetic nervous system. The smell and taste draw the dog into a gentle, mindful focus that invites focus and exploration with tongue, nose, and paws.”

Nina explains that naturally calm dogs will find this soothing and rhythmic, while other dogs may find the movement of the toilet roll stimulating, so beware. 

Safety notes

“This is quite low risk – even if cardboard is swallowed, dogs can usually digest a small amount quite well,” says Dr Marek. Phew. 

Banish (card)boredom

Difficulty level: easy
Best for: scent-loving pups
An alternative to: Zoon Treat and Seek Snuffle Box, The Doggie Pawtisserie, £10

What you need 

• old cardboard boxes (all shapes and sizes)

• treats

How to make it

1. Grab your boxes and remove any plastic tape that your dog could accidentally ingest. 

2. Put a treat in some of the boxes, but not all of them.

3. Place the boxes next to each other on the floor and watch as your dog tries to find the goodies.

4. To make things easier, poke holes in the containers so your dog catches the scent faster. Once they get the hang of the game, you can try putting a treat in only one of the boxes and spreading the boxes around the room. 

Why it works

Nina tells us that this activity will satisfy a dog’s natural foraging and problem-solving instincts, while giving them a rich sensory experience. “The smell of hidden treats stimulates scent work, the sound of tearing engages curiosity, and the texture of the cardboard satisfies the need to shred and explore with mouth and paws,” she explains. “It allows dogs to use multiple senses at once, sniffing, pawing, chewing and listening as they work, which makes it both mentally and physically engaging.”

Safety notes

“As with the toilet roll toy, this one is fairly low risk as a small amount of cardboard is fairly digestible,” says Dr Marek. “However, tape or glue on boxes can cause issues.”

Plastic bottle cruncher

Difficulty level: easy
Best for: pups who love crinkly sounds
An alternative to: KONG Signature Crunch Red Rope Triple, VioVet, £10

What you need 

• an old long sock

• an empty small plastic drinks bottle that will fit into the sock

How to make it

1. Remove and discard the lid from the bottle.

2. Slide the bottle inside the sock (base-side down), right down to the bottom.

3. Tie a tight knot in the sock where the mouth of the bottle ends.

Why it works

“A plastic bottle being crunched can be exciting and entertaining dogs who love sounds,” says Joe. “While mouthing a bottle there are also additional stimuli from texture as well as sound. However, when a sock is put over the empty bottle it makes the toy softer and nicer to crunch while still having the tactile experience for the mouth and tongue.”

Safety notes

“Socks are the number one foreign body that we have to remove from dogs in surgeries,” warns Dr Marek. “So, if you know your dog eats everything in sight, this isn’t the best toy for them.  There is a risk of your dog cutting themselves if they pierce the plastic, though it’s unlikely to cause a major injury.” (Just make sure you take the bottle away once they’ve ripped the plastic.)

Squeaky sock

Difficult level: easy
Best for: dogs who go crazy for squeakers
An alternative to: Rosewood My Dog Plush Soft Dog Toy, VioVet, £9.95

What you need 

• a squeaker from an old dog toy

• an old sock (ankle length or longer)

• small amount of discarded stuffing from an old dog toy (optional)

How to make it

1. If using stuffing, put a layer of stuffing into the sock before adding the squeaker. Then pad stuffing around it so that the squeaker is in the centre.

2. Not using stuffing? Simply pop the squeaker inside the sock at the bottom. 

3. Tie a strong knot in the sock to secure the squeaker.

4. If your sock is long enough, add a second knot. 

Why it works

“This toy engages the predatory motor pattern; the instinctive sequence of stalk, chase, grab, and shake,” explains Nina. “The muffled squeak gives auditory feedback that dogs find instinctively rewarding, and the soft fabric offers a safe outlet for bite and shake behaviour. It provides both emotional release and sensory satisfaction, particularly for dogs who love the shake phase of play.”

Safety notes

Dr Marek warns that potentially swallowing the sock, stuffing or squeaker is the biggest concern here. “Although this depends on the breed,” she adds. “Labradors, Golden Retrievers and all the breeds that can’t be left alone for two seconds with anything? This may not be the toy for them.”