DIY Summer Pet Toys Using Recycled Materials

Looking for a fun, budget-friendly way to entertain your pet this summer? DIY enrichment toys made from recycled materials are a great way to reduce waste, spark your creativity, and keep your furry friend mentally stimulated. At Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting, we love finding small ways to make a big difference for both pets and the planet. Whether you’re staying cool indoors or spending time outside, these DIY ideas can easily become part of your pet’s daily enrichment.

The Benefits of DIY Enrichment Toys

Enrichment toys don’t just keep pets busy, they improve quality of life. Providing your pet with opportunities to sniff, chew, paw, roll, and problem-solve mimics natural behaviors and prevents boredom-related behaviors like chewing furniture or excessive barking. Mental exercise can be just as tiring (and satisfying!) as a walk, making enrichment an excellent addition to your pet's routine.

When enrichment toys are made from recycled household items, you’re not only caring for your pet’s emotional health but also taking a more sustainable approach to pet parenting. Win-win!

Safe Recyclable Materials to Use

Before diving into a crafting session, make sure the materials you're using are clean, safe, and pet-appropriate.

Here are some commonly found recyclable items that are safe to repurpose into toys:

• Cardboard boxes: Great for hiding treats or creating dig boxes. Just remove any staples or tape!

• Toilet paper and paper towel rolls: Perfect for stuffing with kibble or treats.

• Old t-shirts or towels: Soft material for braiding into tug toys.

• Plastic water bottles: Use with supervision, placed inside a fabric sleeve for crinkly fun.

• Egg cartons: A fun puzzle toy where you can place treats inside and let your pet explore.

Avoid using items with sharp edges, toxic coatings, or loose parts that can be swallowed and make sure all activity is always supervised.

Easy DIY Project Ideas for Cats and Dogs

Here are a few simple, fun ideas you can try at home or request during one of our visits!

For Dogs:

• Egg Carton Treasure Hunt: Place dry food or toys in each cup and watch your dog’s sniffer go to work!

• Treat Tube Puzzle: Fill a toilet paper roll with kibble, fold the ends, and let your pup figure out how to open it.

• Braided T-shirt Tug Toy: Cut strips from an old shirt and braid tightly for a tug-of-war rope.

For Cats:

• Cardboard Box Maze: Cut holes in a small box and toss a few toys or treats inside. Cats love to peek, pounce, and paw!

• Crinkle Ball: Ball up a piece of paper inside an old sock for some batting fun.

• Egg Carton Treasure Hunt: Place dry food or toys in each cup and watch your cat go on a treasure hunt.

Reduce Waste, Save Money, Enrich Minds!

Crafting DIY summer toys for your pet is a fun way to make memories, reduce waste, and add meaningful enrichment to your pet’s day. Whether you're the hands-on type or would like a little help from our pet care pros, we're here to support your pet’s happiness and well-being in every season.

Need help with enrichment during your busy week?

Not all pet parents have time to craft, but that’s where we come in! As part of our pet sitting or dog walking services, our team is happy to incorporate enrichment into your pet’s routine, whether that means creating a simple puzzle toy, offering frozen treats, or playing interactive games that stimulate your pet’s mind and body.

We can even repurpose some safe household items you have on hand during our visit to make a quick DIY toy. Just let us know what your pet enjoys, and we’ll get creative!

We’d love to help keep your pet entertained while you’re away. Reach out to learn more about how enrichment can be added to your next visit!