Make a Dog or Cat Toy

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Make a Dog or Cat Toy

July 29, 2022

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Here's a crafty project for your furry friends!

We are so excited about the new veterinary exhibit we had to make a Recipe for Play to celebrate.

Here at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, we find it great that our guests get the chance to take care of our pets in the Whiskers & Tails Veterinary Clinic.

But it makes us “paw”nder… what can guests do at home to engage and play with their pets?

Turn T-shirts Into Toys

Do you have t-shirts that have been sitting on a shelf that are not getting worn? You can recycle them into a toy “fur” your pet to play with!

Play is just as important for pets as it is for children because it engages them in learning, connecting with others, and being active.

Today’s Recipe for Play is two-fold: Make a dog toy, or make a cat toy.

Make a Dog Toy

Gather Your Supplies:

  • One old T-shirt
  • Scissors
  • Ruler

Let’s get started!

Watch as Intern Anna Makes a Dog Toy!
Watch the video above or explore the photos below to learn how to make a dog toy.
Watch the video above or explore the photos below to learn how to make a dog toy.
Cut off the bottom hem of the shirt. Keep this piece! We will call this the “tie strip.” Continue cutting 2 inch strips until you get under the sleeves.
Cut off the bottom hem of the shirt. Keep this piece! We will call this the “tie strip.” Continue cutting 2 inch strips until you get under the sleeves.
Snip the loops into strips and pull lightly to make yarn. You will need a total of six “yarn” strips for each toy.
Snip the loops into strips and pull lightly to make yarn. You will need a total of six “yarn” strips for each toy.
Line up the six strips of yarn and tie them together with the “tie strip” ⅓ of the way down.
Line up the six strips of yarn and tie them together with the “tie strip” ⅓ of the way down.
Separate strips into three sections and begin to braid tightly. Grab the right section with your right hand and the left section with your left hand. Cross the left section over the middle section. Then cross the right section over the middle section. Repeat until you are about finished braiding the middle third.
Separate strips into three sections and begin to braid tightly. Grab the right section with your right hand and the left section with your left hand. Cross the left section over the middle section. Then cross the right section over the middle section. Repeat until you are about finished braiding the middle third.
Take off the “tie strip” and line the braid side-by-side to create a loop. Fasten the loop together with the “tie strip.” Separate the remaining strips and tightly braid them into a thicker braid.
Take off the “tie strip” and line the braid side-by-side to create a loop. Fasten the loop together with the “tie strip.” Separate the remaining strips and tightly braid them into a thicker braid.
When you get to the end, knot it and trim the ends.
When you get to the end, knot it and trim the ends.
Now it is time to play! If your dog is a little stronger, you can take the completed toy and tie a knot at the top where the handle ends.
Now it is time to play! If your dog is a little stronger, you can take the completed toy and tie a knot at the top where the handle ends.

Make a Cat Toy

Gather Your Supplies:

  • One old t-shirt
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Piece of paper or cardboard
  • Marker
  • Catnip (optional)

Let’s get started!

Anna Shares How to Make a Cat Toy!
Watch the video above or explore the photos below to learn how to make a cat toy.
Watch the video above or explore the photos below to learn how to make a cat toy.
Gather your supplies. Take your piece of paper or cardboard and measure a rectangle 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Cut out the rectangle. This will be your guide. *This step is optional, but can make it easier to do!
Gather your supplies. Take your piece of paper or cardboard and measure a rectangle 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Cut out the rectangle. This will be your guide. *This step is optional, but can make it easier to do!
Trace the rectangle onto the t-shirt. You will need six strips to make one cat toy.
Trace the rectangle onto the t-shirt. You will need six strips to make one cat toy.
Cut out the rectangles from the fabric.
Cut out the rectangles from the fabric.
Make t-shirt “yarn” by pulling each side of the rectangle.
Make t-shirt “yarn” by pulling each side of the rectangle.
Line up six strips of your t-shirt yarn and make one tight knot in the middle. Spray with catnip to get extra engagement out of your pet.
Line up six strips of your t-shirt yarn and make one tight knot in the middle. Spray with catnip to get extra engagement out of your pet.

Play, Play, Play!

Now you have a toy that your pet can enjoy! Be safe: Always supervise your pet when using the toys.

Don’t have a pet? See if your local humane society could use a donation of toys.

You can also make some toys and play along with some of the “pets” in our Whiskers & Tails Veterinary Exhibit.

Visit the Exhibit and Make a Toy for Your Pet!

Plan your visit!