7 DIY Fleece Dog Toys You Can Make Today (with Pictures)
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Playing with your dog is a great way to engage and bond. Most dogs enjoy chewing and pulling, and dog toys allow your dog to tear, pull, and shred stuff that isn’t your carpet or throw pillow. Puppies are particularly good at wrecking toys shortly after you get them, and they can be expensive to keep replacing.
Instead of dropping your hard-earned dollars on tug toys all the time, why not make your own? With some basic craft skills, you can use inexpensive fleece or scrap fabric to make your own tough dog toys, customized to your pet’s size, and have some fun at the same time. Check out these seven DIY fleece dog toys you can make with the whole family.
The 7 DIY Fleece Dog Toys
1. DIY Fleece Dog Toy by Who Needs a Cape
| Materials: | Fleece strips |
| Tools: | Scissors, measuring tape |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This DIY Fleece Dog Toy is easy to make and even easier to personalize for your pup. Whether you purchase fleece from your local craft store or use old remnants you have lying around, this toy is an affordable family project perfect for all ages.
The best part—the toy is machine washable! You only need basic craft skills to complete this project, such as fabric cutting and braiding. Go wild and make a few for your pup!
2. DIY Snuffle Ball for Dogs by Other People’s Pet
| Materials: | Fleece, zip ties, fabric clips (optional) |
| Tools: | Scissors, fabric marker, measuring tape or ruler |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This DIY Snuffle Ball for Dogs is a quick and simple afternoon craft that only requires some basic craft supplies. What’s a snuffle ball? It’s basically a fleece toy that you can hide treats inside, like a Kong, and engage your dog to find them.
The instructions for the snuffle ball include information for making large or medium balls, so you can make the perfect size for your dog. All it takes for this build is some basic craft skills. When you’re finished, just add your treats of choice!
3. DIY Square Knot Fleece Loop Dog Tug Toy by Dalmatian DIY
| Materials: | Fleece |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
The DIY Square Knot Fleece Loop Dog Tug Toy is perfect for your rambunctious pup. It mimics a square knot tug toy but with fleece. It’s super easy to create on a weekend or rainy day. The tug toy is easy to wash and holds up well, but you may want to make a few for a particularly destructive puppy.
You need some basic weaving skills to pull this one off, but they’re easy to learn. If it’s your first time, you may want to try out some simple braiding to get the hang of it.
4. DIY Dog Toy by The Tip Toe Fairy
| Materials: | Fleece, tennis ball |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This DIY Dog Toy is a simple, no-sew design that’s cute and fun for your dog. Shaped like an octopus, this toy gives your dog the enrichment of a tennis ball with braided “arms” for tug-of-war. Depending on how you pattern it out, you can make as many or as few arms as you want.
One of the best aspects of this toy is that you can replace the fleece when it wears out, but the tennis ball should last a while. And despite the toy seeming a bit complicated, it’s just as easy as any other braided fleece toy.
5. DIY Pet Snuffle Mat by The Tip Toe Fairy
| Materials: | Plastic sink mat, fleece or other fabric |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This DIY Pet Snuffle Mat is a unique project on this list and works well for both cats and dogs. Designed like grass, the toy mimics foraging for food in the natural environment and can keep your dog occupied for hours.
The tutorial shows you how to make the mat out of fleece, but you can use any fabric you wish. Even fabric scraps from old clothes would work. You can use your treats of choice to hide in the mat when it’s done.
6. DIY Heavy-Duty Fleece Rope Dog Toy by Jaime of All Trades
| Materials: | Fleece |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
The DIY Heavy-Duty Fleece Rope Dog Toy is simple and inexpensive to make but tough enough to handle your dog’s abuse. The design is easy to modify to suit the size of your dog as well. Have fun with the colors but remember that using only two colors will make it easier to see what you’re doing if you’re not used to weaving.
The rope toy is machine washable and dryable. If your dog stretches it out during play, it will shrink back to its original size in the dryer.
7. DIY Cobra Knot Woven Fleece Dog Tug Toy by Dalmatian DIY
| Materials: | Fleece |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This DIY Cobra Knot Woven Fleece Dog Tug Toy is a tough woven toy that’s strong enough for large dogs. It uses a similar multi-strand weaving pattern as paracord bracelets and keychains, so it can handle your dog’s abuse.
If you’re new to weaving, mastering the cobra knot may take some practice. Once you get it, though, it becomes second nature. Otherwise, this design is easy to make in an afternoon with the family.
Final Thoughts
Dog tug toys and braided toys can be pricey at a pet store, and a boisterous puppy may destroy them in no time. These simple fleece toy designs use inexpensive fleece—or virtually any other type of fabric you wish—and are fun for a family craft on a weekend or rainy day.
Featured Image Credit: Kristyna Mrazkova, Shutterstock
