Create upcycled toys for your pet’s eco-friendly fun


 
  pet carrier training

Next time your pet’s toy basket is looking a little bare, don’t replenish it with store-bought toys—turn to upcycling instead! 

Upcycling is the fun and creative process of taking items that are going to be thrown away or recycled and giving them new life as something different. Fabrics, cardboard, plastics—whatever you find around your home is fair game. The only limit is your imagination!

So rather than spending money on a new, generic toy, help the environment by upcycling items from around the house into engaging, one-of-a-kind toys that you can personalize to your pet’s preferences. 

Here are some ideas for your first project:

  • Tinkly fabric balls or pom poms: With only beginner sewing skills, you can turn scraps of fabric into fabric balls or pom poms, then add jingle bells to increase the interest for your cat.
  • T-shirt rope toy: Cut up an old t-shirt and braid it into a fun rope toy for your dog. Your dog will especially love that the toy smells like you.
  • Rolling bottle food dispenser: A few holes in a clear plastic bottle make the perfect food toy. Place kibble or treats inside so your pet will push the bottle around the house to retrieve their reward.
  • Cardboard paw-gility: Toilet paper rolls glued upright and sideways onto another cardboard surface are perfect treat-hiding places to encourage cats to use their nimble paws.
  • Tennis ball far toss: Place a tennis ball inside an old t-shirt and tie it in. Use the t-shirt tail end to get the tennis ball to really fly. 
  • Carboard condo: This is the easiest toy you will ever make! Simply set out a carboard box in your house—your cat won’t be able to resist their new favorite hiding spot. 

As you start gathering material for your first project, keep in mind a few simple safety guidelines. Toys should never have sharp edges. 

Also, since your pet will likely chew on the toy, be sure that your starting materials have no chemicals or residues on them that are unsafe if ingested. Likewise, avoid dangly string in cat toys and materials that can be easily torn up in dog toys, both of which could cause problems if swallowed.

Find more fun ways to keep your pet exercised and entertained at home on AskVCA, where our behaviorists and trainers answer frequently asked pet questions >>