DIY Toys & Treats for Your Pup. Written by Nat Smith, Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.
DIY Toys & Treats for Your Pup
Dogs often get bored of toys quickly, and store bought treats are filled with additives and less-than-healthy ingredients. Why not get creative and give your pup fun and easy options? These projects don’t take long, and the payoff is great.
Tuff-Enuf Rope
Does your dog enjoy chewing and tug-of-war? Use an old towel to craft a toy he’ll love. (If your pet is a heavy chewer, skip the tape and knot the ends instead–you don’t want them ingesting it!)
Tear or cut the towel lengthwise into nine even strips. Braid each set of three together, using tape to secure the braids next to each other on a flat work surface. Then, braid all three of the existing braids together. Squeezing the end of the rope together, add several tightly-coiled layers of electrician’s tape or duct tape.
For a super-colorful toy, use two color-contrasting towels and alternate the strips in the braids.
Carrot Crunch
No-bake treats are an easy way to treat your pup for great behavior or tide them over between meals.
You’ll need flaxseed, doggy-safe peanut butter, and shredded carrots. (The peanut butter should be unsalted, without added xylitol–which is toxic to pups.) Mix one teaspoon of flaxseed, ½ cup peanut butter, and ½ cup shredded carrots. Roll into tablespoon-sized balls, and chill for one hour.
This treat includes delicious protein, healthy fat, and even promotes a silkier coat. Plus, the carrots are great for your pet’s teeth!
Puzzle Ball
Dogs get bored easily when they aren’t being challenged…and what’s more motivating than food? Create your own doggy puzzle with just a tennis ball!
Use a knife to cut the tennis ball along one side of the white seam. Place a couple of non-perishable treats inside, then tuck the flap into the other side of the seam. The rubber will help keep it in place…but with chewing (and ingenuity) your pup will get the treats out!
The ball can be refilled, and should last for several uses, depending on how heavy a chewer your dog is.
