4 Homemade Toys Dogs Love

Basic Safety in Home Dog Toys

Dog toys must be safe, so we have a few things to consider. The most important thing is which materials we will use. They should not have toxic paints or small pieces of plastic that can be swallowed.

Also,  we will always use cardboard or paper, because if the animal swallows a piece, it will not threaten its health. If you have to glue two pieces of something together, it’s better to use masking tape, because it’s also made of cellulose.

When a toy starts to break, we should throw it away. Don’t wait for it to break and the dog to get hurt. Likewise, when using parts made of rigid materials, we must be careful with sharp edges as they can cut the animal, so we have to protect them.

Before you start giving your dog a toy, you must first know how to use it. Let the animal examine you and try it out at its own pace, without teaching it how to do things or giving orders. Start by giving very simple toys and increase the difficulty level little by little.

Toys should be used under supervision, and if you find it too difficult for your dog, help him solve the game, but don’t do it all by yourself. Offer toys a maximum of 10 minutes a day. After all, more time can tire the animal excessively or become stressful.

Awards

These toys are based on finding something, like a prize. There are many types of food that you can use as a prize in homemade dog toys, so choose the one that you and your dog like best.

The success of these toys depends on the dog’s interest in  obtaining the prizes that are stored inside the object. In addition, there is the pride of having solved the problem. Dogs will only find it fun if they are interested in getting the food. Therefore, it is not fun to play for food that the animal does not like or cannot access.

cardboard tube

Start now to store cardboard toilet paper tubes or paper towels to make toys for your dog. Put treats inside the cardboard tube, place it on the floor and let your pet figure out how to get them.

The dog will try to stick its tongue, turn, capsize and even rip the tubes to get the prizes. Such a simple homemade toy for dogs can entertain them for a long period of time.

Raise the level:  when he starts to easily remove the prizes from the cardboard tube,  tape the ends together. The game will be a little more difficult because he will have to destroy the entire tube to access the food. It’s like the famous Kong toy, only homemade.

paper ball

Another homemade toy for dogs that they love and you can make at home is putting treats inside a paper ball. Preferably use newspaper or kitchen paper, as the magazine usually has many inks that can be toxic. Start by making a small ball with lots of prizes and then add layers of paper around them.

By the way, you will be teaching your dog to distinguish between paper and food. He  will stop eating everything on the street.  Later,  raise the level:  add more layers of paper to the ball or try to seal it up to make it harder to open.

frozen broth

This toy is very interesting for hot days, like those in summer, or for dogs that are changing their teeth. Basically, you just need to  freeze broth or some tasty liquid and give it to the dog to chew and lick  until melted. Dogs will love it as it is refreshing and rich in nutrients. However, the owners will have to clean the floor afterwards.

Increase the level  and make different cubes, of different sizes and textures:  meat broth, vegetables with water, yogurt with fruits… Adapt the size of the frozen cubes to your dog’s mouth!

Dispensing bottle

Choose an empty, clean plastic bottle and cut holes. Remember to secure the plastic edges with duct tape so your dog doesn’t get hurt. Put treats inside and let your dog investigate how to get them out. As with the cardboard tube, he  will be trying for a while to figure out how it works and will eventually find out.

Level up:  put the cap on the bottle, make another toy with the smaller windows, or put more rewards inside. Do this only when the dog easily resolves the toy, as this play is often difficult to master.

These and many other homemade dog toys can be made from recycled materials: they are cheap, interesting and fun. It should be noted that these toys  should be fun and varied so that the dog doesn’t get bored. The toy must also be adapted to your puppy’s size and age and, above all, it must be safe.