Are you a pet parent who's tired of doing the same activities around the house week after week? If so, you're not alone. Your dog or cat (or both!) would surely wag a tail or let out a purr when discovering that there's something new for them to explore or play with at home. Browse this helpful guide for some DIY tips that'll surely put a little pep in your pet's step.

Ideas for DIY Dog Toys and Activities

Looking to have fun with your favorite pup? Look no further!

Woman walking border collie in park

 

Design a Doggy Obstacle Course

If you have a high-energy pup and a fenced-in yard, why not get your whole family involved by making a dog obstacle course? You can easily repurpose common household items as jumping, weaving and tunneling obstacles to challenge your pet.

Craft a Homemade Dog Bed

Your pup may need a new bed for snoozles, too. This easy tutorial walks you through the steps to upcycle common things around the home into a spot that your pup can claim as their own.

Create a Collapsible Dog Bowl for Pets on the Go

If you're taking more walks around your neighborhood or exploring local park trails, you'll want to bring along fresh water for your canine companion. This DIY project lets you transform items that are already lingering in your recycling bin into a collapsible dog water bowl, which is perfect for tucking in a day pack or storing in your car.

Children toys in a wooden box, books in the background on wooden floor. Teddy bear, wooden dog toy, rag doll, toy car, wooden green frog.

 

Revive Old Kid Toys as Doggy Toys

Pups love new toys too! Are you preparing to donate a few things you found when cleaning out your kids' closets? If so, give them a second look. Some of these items may make the perfect DIY dog toys for your pup!

Ideas for DIY Cat Toys and Activities

Hoping to ensure that your cat is comfortable? Check out these ideas.

Make a Cat Scratching Post

Do you have a claw-crazy cat at home? Put that old rug or carpet sample to good use by crafting a homemade scratching post with it. These five DIY cat scratching post projects are perfect for you and your children to tackle together since basic sewing, hammering and using a box cutter are required.

Orange tabby cat laying underneath blue paisley bed sheets.

Repurpose Items for a Cat Bed

It's fun and easy to make kitty beds for every room of your house. In this post, you'll discover different ways to transform old sweaters, cardboard boxes and blankets into cozy places for your feline friend to snuggle in.

Build a Cat Perch out of Wood

Let your kitty be the king or queen of your castle by giving them their own perch. This quick afternoon project yields a cozy landing spot for your window-loving cat. You'll just need some basic woodworking tools, a few scrap wood planks and these tips to get started.

Assemble a Litter Box Enclosure

If your cat fancies some privacy and a bit of style when they do their business, this project is for you. Get started here to see three different designs for enclosures to fit your kitty's preferences and litter box style.

Try Your Hand at These DIY Cat Toys

Surprise your kitty with new toys to pique their curiosity. In this simple tutorial on DIY cat toys, you'll learn how to make items your kitty can enjoy on their own and ones you can play with together, including a cloth ghost, a plastic cap toy and a satellite-shaped toy.

Is today the day when you'll break out of your routine and create something your pet will love? Why not? These DIY dog and cat projects can easily be adopted as educational home-school activities for your kids to assist with, too. After all, they entail following instructions, measuring, cutting and designing, which are all core components of hands-on learning. Here's to making staying home fun and safe for your pet pals and all of the other members of your family.

Angela Tague Angela Tague

Angela Tague is a pet mom and writer living in the Midwest. When she's not making a mess in the kitchen, exploring nature trails with her dog, or attending a yoga workshop, she's writing full-time for multiple lifestyle and technology brands. You can find her on Twitter and LinkedIn @AngelaTague.

Related articles

Moving With a Pet: A How-To Guide

Discover helpful tips for moving with your pet including safety recommendations to keep in mind on moving day & pet behavior to watch for at your new home.

Fats

Discover the benefits of dietary fats and fatty acids in your pet's food, and how they are important to the overall health of your pet.

Cat & Dog Drinking Water: Which Water Sources Are Safe for Pets?

Learn which water sources, such as tap water, pool water and water from a shared bowl, are safe for your pets to drink, as well as which ones to avoid.

How Much Water Should Dogs & Cats Drink Each Day?

Learn why water is vital to your pet's health, including how much water dogs & cats should drink per day and what to do if they drink too much/not enough.

Pet Food Sharing: Can Cats Eat Dog Food? (& Vice Versa?)

Learn whether it's safe for cats and dogs to eat each other's food, nutritional concerns to be aware of, and how to discourage this behavior.

Secondhand Smoke and Pets: What You Need to Know

Learn how secondhand smoke affects your pets, including signs that smoking is affecting them, and why smoking around animals is dangerous to their health.

What Causes Cat and Dog Insomnia?

Dog insomnia is a real thing. And it's possible your cat not sleeping well at night is also a bout of insomnia. Learn more about this pet health concern.

How Pets Help Ease the Transition to an Empty Nest

If you're struggling with the future of an empty nest as your kids go to college or move away, pets can help ease that transition.

How to Become a Pet Nutritionist or Vet

Want to know how to become a vet or a pet nutritionist? Learn the basics from veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly, including education requirements & specialties.

What Cleaning Products Are Safe for Pets?

Learn which cleaning product ingredients can be hazardous for dogs & cats, which alternatives are safer and tips for using cleaning products around pets.

How to Perform CPR on Dogs & Cats

Knowing how to perform CPR on a dog or cat can potentially save your pet's life. Learn the step-by-step instructions you need to know.

Easter for Pets: How to Celebrate a Fun and Safe Holiday

From Easter Lillies to Easter Grass, learn key items to keep out of your pet's reach while they join in your favorite Easter traditions.

Does My Pet Hate Me?

Learn tips for bonding with your pet if you've ever thought, 'My dog doesn't like me, or 'Why do I have a standoffish cat?'

Do Dogs & Cats Have Empathy?

Empathy is an important trait in humans, but can dogs & cats be empathetic as well? Find out what research shows about pets and empathy.

Keeping Your Pet Healthy: Important Questions to Ask Your Vet

Find helpful questions to ask your vet about your dog or cat for your next vet visit to ensure they are happy and healthy.

Do Dogs and Cats have Belly Buttons?

Learn whether cats & dogs have belly buttons like humans, what the function is, and if there are any health concerns associated with it.

Benefits of Antioxidants in Pet Food

Discover how antioxidants fight against free radicals in your dog or cat's body, and why they are so important to your pet's diet.

Vitiligo in Dogs and Cats: What You Need to Know

If you've noticed your pet developing spotting on their body, the cause could be vitiligo. Learn facts about the condition & if you should be concerned.

Understand Your Pet's Body Condition Score

Monitoring your pet’s body condition score (BCS) can help you help your pet maintain proper growth and weight for a long, healthy life.

Vitamins

Learn more about the different types of viatmins that are important to your pet's nutrition, and what you should be looking for when buying pet food.