Animals remain playful throughout their whole lives. Veterinarians recommend to continue organizing playing sessions even with older pets, in order to help them remain active and healthy.
When playing with hands, pets can scratch you badly. The animal may also not pay attention to toys from the store, which will make you waste your money. This exact rule applies to many other useful pet-linked things.
If you have some old items and some free time, you can create cool DIY stuff for any pet with your own hands!
Dog items
1. Braided rope
Turn an old t-shirt into a pigtail and offer it to your dog. Let the tease and tug begin!
2. Yummy things into a tennis ball
Create a little gap in an old tennis ball, push some treats inside and offer the toy to your pet. Then, let them try to get it out.
3. Sunbed
Get 2 pieces of cloth that will fit the size of your pet. With the help of home utensils, cut into the edges in order to create a fringe. After that, add a filler of your choice between the pieces (old socks, foam, etc). Finish the sunbed by tying the strips of fringe together. A sunbed is, of course, not a toy, but still a great item to offer to your puppy after playing.
4. Bottle in a sock
Use an empty bottle and a sock for a crackling toy that might annoy you, but that will surely keep your furry friends busy!
Cat items
1. Fishing toy
Use a piece of lightweight cloth, feathers, bottle caps, or something colorful and tie it to a thick thread. Voila!
2. Scratching pillar
Get yourself some durable cardboard. Cut it into strips and roll them into a cylinder, securing the end. Make the pillar as wide and tall as needed. Add some fabric and decoration to the bottom part. Place the DIY pillar on the floor and invite your cat to try it! This is an especially useful item for the owners of british shorthair cats, who are known to love scratching just about everything in the house.
3. A box
This item is well known for its popularity among cats, but let us improve it. Cut some holes in it. They should be large enough so that the feline's paws could go through them. Close the box with a lid and watch the performance.
4. Cat tent
This is the perfect cozy item for a cat to take a nap in after playing. You'll have to sacrifice a T-shirt, two wire hangers, plus a square piece of cardboard. Form 2 U-shaped arches of wire, like the supports of a conventional tent, and secure them in place.
Place the ends of the wires firmly into the corners of the cardboard . Pull the shirt over the construction, making the neck the entrance. Tuck everything else under the tent. Remember that there's always the option of adding a soft pillow inside or any beloved toy.
5. Get the treat
Cut a hole in a plastic container, put the pet's treats inside, and leave them to solve the puzzle. The edges should not be sharp so as not to harm the animal.
For parrots
1. Swing
Look for a durable branch for the parrot to comfortably wrap its paws around and add a thick string to it. Second design: cut 2 holes into a piece of wood and add a thick stick. Little colorful items can also be added to it. The toy can be placed both in the cage and outside it.
2. Ladder#
Birds are quite the acrobats, and they love ladders made of thin sticks. You can also enhance the ladder with colorful little items. The main detail is that the construction should be durable and the parrot should not be able to eat it, so opt for dense synthetics.
3. Sports ground
You can design a whole series of swings, arches, stairs, and also make a bungee on which the bird can swing. Complete all this with hanging ropes with large beads that the bird can play with.
4. Thread carousel
To design this item, you'll have to find 2 hoops. Connect them with a thread. Wrap all the design with a thick thread, add some toys to the center and you're done.
5. Children's toys
If you still have all sorts of educational toys made of colorful plastic balls, cubes, rings, then you are in luck. The parrot will pick at them with pleasure, just think of where to hang them first.
Rodent toys
1. Sleeves
You can create a little tunnel or an entire maze with sawdust. To make the rodent interested in the game, add some treats to the design.
2. Amusement park
In order for the pet to not get bored, he needs to overcome obstacles and look for something. Create obstacles by placing little items of different shapes, such as children's toys and other stuff. The hamster will, of course, be looking for a treat such as pieces of fruit and so on.
3. House
Small containers are there to help you. Design a a house with multiple stories, passages and stairs.
4. Stairs
Collect small sticks or twigs. Glue them on a thick cardboard base or tie them on both sides with a rope, making a suspension bridge.
As a final rule, if your pet likes eating things it shouldn't, be careful when letting them play with their DIY toys!
Good luck!