Simple, Safe DIY Pet Toys for Your Dog or Cat

As you may know from experience, keeping a cat or dog entertained can prove challenging. Some pets have a special skill for utterly destroying their toys almost as soon as they get them, forcing you to spend a big chunk of your bank account on constant replacements. You could save a lot of money by custom-crafting those toys out of everyday household materials, but how do you know that those materials don't pose a hazard for your beloved friend? Let's look at how you can make cost-effective, safe toys for dogs and cats.

Sock It to 'Em With Sock Toys

A nice, thick sock certainly can't harm your pet, but it may not sound like much fun to play with, either -- until you turn it into a delightfully noisy toy. The trick is to fill the sock with an ordinary plastic water bottle that makes crunchy sounds as your pet plays with it. The addition of your pet's favorite treats only makes the sock toy more compelling.

The pet-safe materials needed for this toy consist of nothing more than the sock, the water bottle, and the treats. Remove the cap from the bottle, empty and dry it out, and then place the treats inside it. Next, place the treat-filled bottle inside the sock so that the cap end faces the sock's open end. Tie this end of the sock securely, and then sit back and watch the fun ensue.

Your dog will probably gnaw on the sock toy until it becomes unacceptably wet and nasty, at which point you can simply replace the sock component. Your cat won't be able to get its jaws around the sock toy, but it will no doubt enjoy batting this noisy, enticing object around.

Make Magic With Wands and Ropes

Pets just can't seem to resist long, stringy toys of various kinds and materials. You know this for a fact if you've ever seen a cat swatting at the business end of a wand toy dangled by its owner. However, you shouldn't place feathers, tinsel, or other objects made of fine thread at the end of the wand, even if you've seen such designs elsewhere. These objects can fray or break away from the wand so that little bits and pieces go down your pet's throat, posing a risk for choking or bowel issues.

Fortunately, your cat will be just as fascinated with a more pet-safe piece of "bait." A colorful ribbon, ball of crumpled paper, or leather or cotton tassel will do just as well. Simply tie this object to the end of a long string with a bit of hot glue, tie the string to a wooden dowel, and you have a DIY cat toy.

Some strips from an old cotton shirt or a length of rope can transform into an amazingly entertaining DIY dog toy. Grab a tennis ball, wrap it up in a piece of the shirt, slice the ends of the material into tassels, and then knot the tassels at each end. You now have a bouncy toy that your dog will love to chase around the house as well as an inexpensive, easily-replaced tug-of-war object.

Intrigue Your Pet With Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys such as kongs are often highly recommended as items that can stimulate a pet's brain while also offering plenty of fun. But you don't have to spend lots of money purchasing puzzle toys at the pet store when you can make your own safe, effective alternatives. All you need are two items: your pet's favorite treats, and a roll of toilet paper.

In the simplest form of DIY kong, you simply place a dog biscuit or several pieces of kibble inside the toilet roll, then crimp the ends together so that they're still slightly open. Your dog or cat will then have to figure out how to get at the goodies inside. Another option involves cutting the toilet roll into rings and then glueing the rings together into a ball shape, with the treats loosely stashed within.

Get Back to Basics With the Bare Elements

Although the abovementioned objects are pretty simple to make, let's assume you're either all-thumbs or just missing a certain essential bit of material. Look around and you find that you still have all you need to keep your dog or cat safely entertained. For instance, throw some old plastic shower rings on the floor, and watch your cat spend hours knocking them around. Bounce or pitch a long-unused tennis ball in your dog's direction, and see how much fun your dog has with this amazing "new" item.

Safety Questions? Double-Check With Your Vet

While these DIY pet toys should offer hours of safe playtime, it never hurts to get a second opinion from a professional. If you have any concerns about the materials mentioned here, or if you want to invent your own DIY pet toys and want to make sure you do it safely, contact your veterinarian -- who may even have some more fun DIY toy ideas for you!