5 Boredom Busting DIY Toys For Your Dog
Does your pup get bored? My dog Snickers does, especially during marathon editing sessions. And now that the first official snow of winter has arrived here in Minneapolis, it’s time to think about winter playtime. Snickers is such a gentle companion that she puts up with about 9 hours of working before she requests some active time by pawing at my legs. And who can blame her? It’s a good thing – it gets me up and moving.
Dogs can get tired of the same old, same old—which is why it’s critical to keep them busy with fun toys, puzzles and more! DIY toys are a great way to keep things interesting for your dog. Making your own toys is a fun, easy and inexpensive way to keep thing fresh for your favorite 4-legged companion.
A quick word about DIYing dog toys: make sure you keep a closer eye than normal during playtime (these toys don’t have the good housekeeping seal). Also, please do not use any materials that are unsafe for dogs (like sharp things they can cut themselves with, or materials toxic to dogs if they happen to swallow it.
Check out these 5 super fun, boredom-busting toys any dog will love…and your wallet will thank you, too!
T-Shirt Rope Toy. Do you have T-shirt collection? You know, the pile of well worn (or not) tee’s from concerts, volunteer events and that one your “borrowed” from your spouse and never returned? They will make a fantastic dog rope toy. Bonus, it will clean your closet! Making a rope toy out of t-shirts looks super fun. Here’s a link to get you started.
Muffin Tin Game. I am excited to try this with Snickers. It seems like a great way to banish some of those cold snowy Minnesota winter days with pets (and humans) who long for warmth and fun. Grab a muffin tin, tennis balls and your dog’s favorite treats! Randomly add treats and cover them with tennis balls. Your dog will need to sniff and paw out their reward! This is great for bonding time and foraging skills. If you want to make your own treats, here’s a link to Pumpkin and Peanut butter treats that Snickers really loves.
DIY Snuffle Mat. Snuffle mats are an interactive dog toy mat where dogs can practice their hunting skills by searching for hidden treats. It’s a great way to feed them their kibble. I use a ball shaped treat dispenser to feed Snickers her dinner sometimes, and she loves playing with it. Plus it’s adorable, not to mention free, entertainment for her moms. I curious to see what she will do with this DIY Snuffle mat: DIY Snuffle Mat I can’t wait to try it out!
Shoebox Hide and Seek. Take your dog’s favorite treats and hide them in shoe boxes. As a professional pet photographer here in Minneapolis, I know several treat makers. My Snickers’ favorites are from Barkuterie Box. She especially loves the S’mores kit this time of year. It’s made with honey, carob, and oats, is complete with 4 campfire-friendly, all-natural marshmallows. Leave some boxes empty and place treats in others. Have your dog go around searching for the boxes with treats. Make it more challenging by putting the lids on.
Stuffed Apple. This toy would be awesome to keep your dog busy during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season – like when you are trying to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table! Just remove the core from an apple and fill it with some yummy peanut butter! (Make sure it’s free of pet-toxic xylitol.) My Snickers absolutely loves Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Peanut Butter and I do too because it’s all natural and free of artificial anything. Just peanuts and salt. Perfect for dogs and humans alike.
Some signs of apparent boredom, like lethargy and lack of appetite, could be a sign of anxiety or an unseen health issue. If your pup acts disinterested, or doesn’t perk up when invited to play, it’s time to check with your veterinarian.
Got a cool DIY dog toy you think other doggies would go woof for? Tag me @pawshphoto on Instagram or Facebook.
