My poodle "Fluffy" (now passed on) taught me that she loved "babies". She found a dirty little teddy bear and would not part with it. I got it away from her when she went to sleep and washed and dried it and put it back in bed with her.
After seeing she wouldn't get far away from that "baby", I started watching for new "babies" with no moving parts that could come loose or hurt her. I got them for 25 cents apiece at the end of the day at garage sales. After a couple of trips coming home with one on a Saturday, she knew which friend went with me. If we went out together, she'd wait for me and her new "baby".
In the last few years of her life, she never hurt one of her babies. She would hide them here and there, but if a thunderstorm or other bad weather came, everyone of those babies was in her bed under her!
Also if I brought her a new "baby" from the store, she'd ignore it! It had to have been pre-loved. Her favourite was a pink and purple elephant the same small size as her teddies. That day, the only thing I saw the right size was that elephant and I knew she'd be waiting.
So that's my tip, look for toys that are sold at the end of the day, just a small one for a small dog. Probably not a good tip for big dogs. I now have a Shitzu cross and she takes her babies all over with her too!
By Annie from Kitchener, B.C.
This page contains the following solutions.
I have two very playful dogs and two energetic cats who love to play with toys. In the past, I found myself spending a lot of money on toys to only have then destroyed a few minutes after giving them to my girls.
I found the best toys for my little dog are the ones designed for infants. These are sturdy and they don't have little pieces that are easily detached.
Pet supply chain stores offer some great stuffed toys for dogs, but so do thrift shops! Look to the stuffed toy section and find well made toys with sewn on material eyes.
Keep a box in the closet or elsewhere for worn out socks and tee shirts, old pillowcases, and various other items that you can use to create homemade pet toys. Here's a few ideas to get you started.
Any pet owner knows that making toys from worn out clothing or repurposing various items around the house is an inexpensive way to create some interesting dog toys. However, in some cases, that idea is not ideal.
Dogs love stuffed animals to play with and sleep with. Problem is, they are expensive and the ones from the dollar stores fall apart easily.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I volunteer for a rescue and I need ideas for dog and cat toys. Thanks.
By Mary from Buffalo, NY
Pet supply chain stores offer some great stuffed toys for dogs, but so do thrift shops! Look to the stuffed toy section and find well made toys with sewn on material eyes.
My cats enjoy pouncing on and wrestling with a "spider". It is just a bunch of fleece strips about 1/2 inch wide and about 12 inches long tied together at the center 2-3 time. A fleece remnant would make a few inexpensively.
When we first got our dog, she had no toys. I got a few old socks, tyed a couple together with thick knots and used them for everything from fetch toys to chews. Everyone has old socks with holes in them, so it's really a great way to recycle!
Here's another idea: using old t-shirts to make tug toys. You can find old shirts at a thrift store. Directions are here: www.craftbits.com/
Also, ask for a discount when you're buying for the rescue - never hurts to ask!
My cat loves bottle caps from 2 liters. I work at an animal hospital and asked the vet if it was ok and he said yes. It's hard plastic so unlikely to fray or break. We also raid the local thrift stores for kids toys, they are usually made of the same material if not better and nothing a bit of soap and water can't handle.
My cat used to play immediately with the milk cap whenever it hit the floor. The sound of it made her dart like a rocket where ever she was. Instant milk cap hockey.
She also liked chasing a rope. My daughter used to run around the house with a rope dragging behind her and the cat pouncing right along.
Have a look at these websites: www.marthastewart.com/
and www.marthastewart.com/
I was kept busy for weeks making tug toys for a friend's dog rescue. Old panty hose, three or four pair at time and knot in several places make excellent tugs.
If you have ever wondered what a really durable toy for a dog is, look no further. The most durable toy I have ever seen, is actually a horse toy, but dogs play with them too.
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My daughter discovered that she can get stuffed animals CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP at Goodwill stores.
I have volunteered for a rescue. I need ideas for dog and cat toys, etc.
