DIY Chew Toy

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

08 Jul 2008 02:37 PM

My brother's two dogs are super chewers. We often have a hard time finding toys that will survive for more than a few minutes around their powerful jaws!

Recently, I wondered if I could make a toy that would stand up to a power chewer. In theory, it isn't hard to make a dog toy. Just take the fabric of your choosing, sew it into a simple shape like a rectangle or circle, stuff it with cotton batting, and close the hole. Easy, right?

But when you're dealing with power chewers, you have to be even more crafty. You need heavy-duty fabrics that will stand up to determined teeth. You need to make sure the seams are strong -- I've seen my brother's dog Kuma find the weak point in a toy where the label was attached and proceed to tear it apart from there.

I've seen a craft project for turning a pair of heavy-duty work gloves into a chew toy. You could stuff a glove (or two) with cotton batting, add a squeaker, and sew the wrist closed for a quick and easy chew toy. If you're feeling extra crafty, you can attach the two gloves at the wrist for a larger toy.

There are lots of toys at the pet store that look like long strips of fleece braided or knotted together. That'd be quick and easy -- buy a section of fleece, cut it into long strips, and braid it yourself. That'd be much cheaper than buying a toy at the store, and you'll get the pleasure of watching your pet play with something you made with your own two hands.

If you'll be trying to make your own pet toys, make sure you don't use small pieces (like buttons or other decorations) that can be swallowed or be a choking hazard. Don't leave any pins or needles on the project! Supervise your pets as they play, to make sure they don't swallow batting -- that can cause an obstruction in the digestive tract.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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