Make do and mend – reduce pet costs

As the cost of living continues to rise, we want to help pet parents save money while keeping their cats and dogs happy and healthy. 

So, we’re sharing some ideas to inspire you to make your own pet toys at home for less...

Make your own ball

Balls can be expensive, especially since they’re always getting lost while out on walks or rolling into the abyss under the sofa, never to be seen again. 

If you have endless amounts of socks waiting to be reunited with their pairing, then we have just the project for you!

Simply put a sock inside another sock, then keep rolling and covering with more socks, until the ball is the right size for your dog (or cat!) to catch.

Top tip: It might be a good idea to wash those socks first, so your pet feels more inclined to play fetch with their new toy!

Plastic bottle chew toy

This one’s super easy to make and could entertain your dog (or cat) for hours; as long as you don’t mind the noise it makes! 

Take the cap and ring off a big plastic bottle, pop it in an old sock (without holes!), then tie it off at the end. You’ve now created a toy that’s light, cheap, easy to replace, and makes crunching noises when your dog or cat chews at it.

Top tip: You could put treats into the bottle, to add an element of scent to the game.

DIY treat puzzles

There are a few different ways to create your own DIY treat puzzle for your cat or dog at home. 

For example, here’s some inspiration as to what you could make using a muffin tin…

After ensuring the muffin tin (or a Yorkshire pudding tray) is clean, simply turn it upside down and spread some kibble or treats between the bumps. Your pet will have to nudge the food around from all different angles!

Alternatively, you could keep the muffin tin upright and divide the kibble up between the cups, then cover each section with a tennis ball. That way, your dog or cat has to figure out how to get past a slight obstacle before reaching their reward.

In case you don’t have a muffin tin to hand, do you have some spare PVC piping lying around? If so, just drill some random holes (large enough for treats), add some pet-safe treats (suitable for your dog or cat), cap the ends, and you’re done!

Repurpose an old t-shirt

Even an old t-shirt can become a pet toy. 

All you need to do is cut the t-shirt into strips and knot them at the end. Then, simply dangle or wiggle this t-shirt toy near your cat, for a quick and easy game of chase and pounce!

Catnip kick-toy

If you’re looking to make something that could keep your cat entertained when you can’t play with them, you could try making a catnip kick-toy. 

Fill a sock with fabric scraps (maybe from the repurposed t-shirt, if you’ve made the above toy!), add a sprinkle of catnip, then sew it closed at the top.

Wand toy

Cat wands are great for our feline friends and are surprisingly easy to make! 

To make a cat wand, all you’ll need is a stick, a piece of elastic, and some fabric strips (may as well make use of an old t-shirt again!). 

Then, after drilling a small hole at the top of your stick, tie the elastic through this and add fabric strips to the end of the string. 

Remember: Never leave pets unattended with any toy.

Do you have any other DIY pet projects that might help other pet owners re-purpose things they have at home? Why not share them on our Facebook or Instagram page to spread the low-cost ways of keeping pets happy and healthy?