Y’all, I’m not even exaggerating when I say that my dogs would rather play with one of their daddy’s ratty old t-shirts than with the finest dog toys on the planet.
Once I finally accepted this fact and stopped wasting so much money on fancy dog toys, I began to look for fun, creative ways to make pulls and tugs for my girls using old t-shirts.
There are many things a crafty dog mom (or dad) can do to make an old t-shirt fun, and today I want to share just one of them with you. It’s this very cool upcycled t-shirt dog toy, and trust me, if I can make these, so can you.
This project calls for only 3 supplies: 2 old t-shirts, a pair of fabric scissors, and a nimble pair of hands. Honestly, it can’t get much simpler than that, right?
The fun thing about making these toys is that you can come up with so many cool color combinations. Not that my dogs care what color their toys are, but it does make the project a bit more fun and interesting for me. Get the directions below!
Make Your Own DIY Upcycled T-Shirt Dog Toy
- Use fabric scissors to make several cuts, about 3 inches apart, from the bottom hem of 2 t-shirts (photo 1).
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Cut or rip the shirts upward at each cut to approximately the level of the sleeves. This will create a fringe (photo 2).
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Cut off the fringe and gather fabric pieces together (photo 3).
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Set aside 2 strips of fabric to use for your ties (photo 4). Use on of the strips to tie the fabric pieces together on one end. Double knot it to secure.
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Divide the strips into 3 sections and braid (photo 5).
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Braid all the way to the other end, and then use the remaining strip (photo 6) to tie the ends, using a double knot to secure.
See what I mean? Minimal supplies and just 6 easy peasy steps, and your dog has a brand new toy that doesn’t cost a cent. Win-win, am I right?
These toys can easily be machine washed and dried at home and believe me, you’re probably going to want to do that from time to time because they get super soggy and a little smelly.
And when they get really bad? Simply toss them in the garbage (when your mutt isn’t looking) and make a brand new one.
Because this is such a quick, simple, and inexpensive project, it’s one of my favorites to do for my dogs.
Have you tried this super easy DIY?
Let me know about it in a comment below! Or better yet, come join my private Facebook group for dog moms and share your photos there!
Bren Pace says
May 11, 2016 at 8:39 amThis is great! Titan loves to play with old shirts, sweatshirts and socks. The socks I always knot together so he doesn’t try to actually eat them.
I’ve printed this out and am sharing because it’s just that great, girl!
Thanks!
Montecristo travels (Sonja) says
May 11, 2016 at 9:36 amOH wow! I like! My little tiny dude would not use this but I have so many friends with bigger dogs that I could totally make these for! this is so easy to make and I think a thoughtful gift!
Beth says
May 11, 2016 at 9:44 amMy dogs love these! We made a bunch years ago and they are still a favorite. My Maltese prefers to chew and throw around a piece that comes loose after Theo has been chewing on it a while.
Nichole says
May 11, 2016 at 9:58 amIt’s a fun DIY! We did similar toys with fleece.
Cathy Keisha says
May 11, 2016 at 11:19 amI have one of these that TW got at a Pet Expo. Sprinkle a little nip and they become a cat kickeroo. TW has a pile of t-shirts targeted for charity but she’s not that talented to make something even this easy.
Dachshund Nola says
May 11, 2016 at 3:52 pmGreat idea!
Lara says
May 11, 2016 at 5:45 pmThis is a craft project even I can manage (I am a fairly creative and artistic person, it’s just hard to find the time to dedicate to more elaborate DIYs). Your example toy is one of my favorite color combinations, yellow & grey. Ruby and I play tug every night so we can never have too many tug toys. I want to try this soon!
Amanda says
May 12, 2016 at 12:16 amI love this! My babes are obsessed with toys, but this is a great idea. I donate clothes a lot but seem to always have extra t-shirts. I could make these to donate to the shelter!!!
Seville at Nerissa's Life says
May 12, 2016 at 11:48 amHmmm… That toy looks kinda spiffy. I like it! I like the look of it, a lot. But I’m a cat. Wonder what it would be liked dipped in the nip. Purrs, Seville.
Meadow and her kitties says
May 22, 2016 at 3:20 pmWhat a neat (EASY-PEASY) project! I’m not crafty in the least, but this looks like something I can handle. We go through a lot of tugs with our pit bull puppy, and this looks like a great idea to keep her interested with “new” tugs! Thanks for sharing!
Tina Ward says
April 4, 2019 at 3:49 pmI made 2 this afternoon and my girls could hardly wait to get hold of them!