DIY Chew Toy Hacks: Upcycle Old Dog Toys and Leftover Treats

Updated May 2025

Chew toys do so much more than keep your dog busy. The right chew and lick activities support dental health, reduce stress and boredom, and channel natural foraging and chewing instincts in a healthy direction. If your dog’s favorites are looking a little tired, don’t toss them yet. With a few safe tweaks, you can upcycle old dog toys and leftover treats into fresh, vet-informed enrichment.

This guide leans into zero-waste, budget-friendly ideas with clear steps, safety notes, calories and portions, and what to buy if you don’t have the parts on hand.

Note for cat parents: We include quick cat-safe tweaks in a few sections, but this article focuses on dogs. For more, see our cat enrichment range under Interactive Toys.

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Why Chew Toys Matter (vet-backed)

• Mental health: Problem-solving and licking can lower cortisol, helping with anxiety and downtime between walks.
• Dental benefits: Textured, appropriate chews used under supervision can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
• Behavior: Meeting chew needs can reduce destructive chewing and nuisance barking when paired with exercise and training.

References: AVSAB enrichment guidance; veterinary dentistry consensus statements.

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DIY Hacks

Tug-Ball Revamp

• Time to make: 5–10 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best for: Dogs who love tug and chase; moderate chewers

What you need

• Frayed rope toy or a sturdy plush with intact fabric knots
• Old tennis ball or rubber treat-dispenser with holes
• Pet-safe thread or smooth, trimmed zip ties

How to 1) Stuff the plush cavity with a few crunchy crumbs (use a digestible treat). 2) Thread rope ends through the ball’s holes. 3) Secure firmly with thread or trimmed zip ties. Do a firm tug test before play.

Why it works Combines chase, grip, and resistance. The rolling ball plus tug engages both body and brain.

Safety notes

• Retire if you see loose strands or chunks missing.
• Heavy chewer at home? Consider a rubber ball core instead of a tennis ball.

No old toy? Get a durable option:

• Treat-dispensing toys
• Durable chew toys for heavy chewers

Shop the tools used

• Treat-dispensing toys
• Puzzle feeders
• Durable chew toys for heavy chewers

Alt text suggestion: DIY tug-ball using rope threaded through a ball for dogs who love tug.

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Frozen Treat-Filled Chew Tubes

• Time to make: 5 minutes active + 4–6 hours freeze
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best for: Lickers, warm days, anxious dogs needing calming work

What you need

• A hollow rubber toy (Kong-style) or similar
• Low-sodium bone broth or water; plain goat milk for special occasions
• Optional: crushed dog dental treats, parsley or mint, pureed pumpkin, a little shredded cooked chicken

Low-calorie recipe ideas (choose 1, mix, stuff, freeze)

• Calm & light: 2–3 tbsp low-sodium bone broth + 1 tsp chopped parsley or mint + a pinch of crushed dental treat (10–25 kcal per small toy).
• Gentle tummy: 1 tbsp pumpkin + 1 tbsp plain low-fat yogurt + 1 tbsp water (25–40 kcal per small toy).
• Extra enticing: 2 tbsp diluted plain goat milk + 1 tsp shredded chicken (40–80 kcal per small toy).

Portion guidance (typical daily add-on)

• <10 kg dogs: 1 small stuffed toy or ~2–4 tbsp mixture per day.
• 10–25 kg dogs: 1 medium stuffed toy or ~4–6 tbsp mixture per day.
• >25 kg dogs: 1 large stuffed toy or ~6–10 tbsp mixture per day.

Adjust to your dog’s calories and weight goal; reduce dinner slightly to balance.

Why it works Licking is self-soothing. Freezing increases challenge and duration while slowing intake.

Safety notes

• Use xylitol-free nut butters only.
• Avoid high-salt broths; dilute goat milk for sensitive stomachs.

No hollow toy? Shop our treat-dispensing toys.

Shop the tools used

• Treat-dispensing toys
• Dog dental chews
• Dishwasher safe dog toys

Alt text suggestion: Frozen Kong stuffed with bone broth and herbs, ready to serve.

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Texture Swap with Modular Toy Parts

• Time to make: 10–15 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best for: Dogs who get bored of the same textures

What you need

• 2–3 worn toys with different textures (e.g., a soft fabric layer and a bumpy rubber core)
• Strong knots or pet-safe adhesive

How to 1) Trim away damaged sections; keep the strongest, most interesting textures. 2) Wrap the soft layer around a firmer core or add contrasting handles. 3) Secure tightly and tug-test. Offer under supervision.

Why it works Novelty re-engages interest. Mixed textures encourage varied jaw action and can support oral health.

No parts to swap? Explore durable chew toys for heavy chewers.

Shop the tools used

• Durable chew toys for heavy chewers
• Dishwasher safe dog toys

Alt text suggestion: Modular chew combining soft wrap and bumpy rubber core.

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Wobbler Reinvention with Carrots and Crunch

• Time to make: 5 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best for: Food-motivated dogs, slow feeding, beginners at puzzle play

What you need

• A wobbler or puzzle feeder
• A thin smear of xylitol-free peanut butter or mashed sweet potato
• Low-cal add-ins: carrot coins, green beans, a sprinkle of crushed treats

How to 1) Smear a little paste inside to add scent. 2) Add irregular veggie chunks and a few crumbs. 3) Let your dog nudge and bat the toy to release pieces.

Why it works Combines movement, scent, and foraging. Veggie chunks keep calories in check.

Calorie tip 1 tbsp peanut butter is ~90 kcal; use a thin smear or swap for mashed pumpkin (~5 kcal per tbsp).

Don’t have a wobbler? See puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys.

Shop the tools used

• Puzzle feeders
• Treat-dispensing toys

Alt text suggestion: Dog rolling a wobble toy filled with carrot chunks.

Cat tweak Use a lightweight puzzle ball and a few pieces of your cat’s regular kibble.

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Snuffle Toy From Old T-Shirts (new)

• Time to make: 15–25 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best for: Nose-driven dogs, rainy-day sniff sessions, seniors

Two ways 1) Fringe mat: Cut old T-shirts into 2–3 cm strips. Tie strips through the holes of a silicone sink mat or shower mat until dense. 2) Braid & bow: Braid three long T-shirt strips; knot ends; tie on extra fringe for more hiding spots.

How to play Scatter a portion of dry food or small low-cal treats and let your dog forage.

Care Machine wash on cold in a mesh bag; air-dry. Replace if holes or long threads appear.

What to buy if you need a base Dishwasher safe dog toys (for sturdy bases) and puzzle feeders.

Shop the tools used

• Puzzle feeders
• Durable chew toys for heavy chewers

Alt text suggestion: DIY snuffle mat made from T-shirt strips on a silicone base.

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Lick-Mat Alternatives Using Silicone Trivets (new)

• Time to make: 2–5 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best for: Stress relief, vet-visit prep, nail-trimming distractions

What you need

• Food-safe silicone trivet or the back of a mini-muffin tray
• Spreader and your chosen recipe below

Low-calorie, vet-approved spreads (pick 1)

• Smoothie smear: 1 tbsp plain low-fat yogurt + 1 tsp pumpkin + water to thin (15–25 kcal).
• Savory swipe: 2 tsp low-sodium bone broth gelatin, softened (10–20 kcal).
• Fresh breath dab: 1 tbsp mashed cucumber + pinch of parsley or mint (5–10 kcal).
• Special occasion only: 2 tsp xylitol-free peanut butter diluted with water (40–60 kcal).

How to Spread thinly into textures, freeze 30–60 minutes for longer licking, serve on a non-slip surface.

Portion guidance Limit to what fits in a thin layer on a small trivet for small dogs; up to a medium trivet for medium/large dogs. Adjust daily calories.

What to buy if you prefer ready-made Lick mats in Lifestyle, treat-dispensing toys, and puzzle feeders.

Shop the tools used

• Treat-dispensing toys
• Puzzle feeders

Alt text suggestion: Silicone trivet smeared with pumpkin-yogurt mix, ready to freeze.

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Ingredient Safety Mini-Guide

Safe stuffing and mix-ins (use small amounts, introduce gradually)

• Plain low-fat yogurt; pureed pumpkin; mashed sweet potato; cooked unseasoned chicken or turkey; low-sodium bone broth; blueberries; cucumber; carrots; green beans; parsley or mint; plain goat milk (diluted, occasional treat).

Avoid these ingredients

• Xylitol (often in peanut butter), onion, garlic, leeks, chives, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, cooked bones, alcohol, high-salt broths, chocolate, nutmeg.

General portion and calorie tips

• Keep treat calories to under 10% of daily intake (often 20–100 kcal depending on dog size and goals).
• When adding stuffed or frozen treats, trim a little from a meal to keep weight steady.
• Puppies and dogs with medical needs: ask your vet before adding new foods.

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Aggressive Chewers: Read This First

Red flags to stop and swap

• Your dog removes chunks in minutes, cracks or frays hard plastic, or you notice tooth wear, chips, or bleeding gums.
• The toy shows splits, missing pieces, or sharp edges.

Safer alternatives

• Choose thick, single-piece rubber treat dispensers and heavy-duty toys (no brittle plastics, no cooked bones or antlers).
• Rotate toys and supervise.

Explore our durable chew toys for heavy chewers and dishwasher safe dog toys.

If chewing feels compulsive or destructive, pair enrichment with training. See Destructive Chewing: Why It Happens and How to Redirect It Safely.

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Safety Guidelines

Supervise and inspect

• Check toys before and after use; retire at the first sign of damage.

Right tool for the dog

• Soft to medium rubbers and fabrics for gentle/moderate chewers.
• Heavy-duty rubber for power chewers.

Cleaning and sanitizing

• Hard rubber and silicone: top-rack dishwasher if the product states dishwasher safe.
• Hand-wash with hot water and pet-safe soap; rinse well.
• For periodic disinfection: soak 5 minutes in 1 tablespoon unscented bleach per 1 liter of water, rinse thoroughly, air-dry.
• Fabrics: cold wash in a mesh bag; air-dry.

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Seasonal Keep-Them-Busy Ideas

Summer frozen recipes

• Broth cubes with carrot coins; watermelon (seedless, no rind) crushed into a lick-mat; yogurt-pumpkin swirls frozen in a Kong.

Holiday boredom busters

• Snuffle mat dinner to slow festive excitement; wobbler with green beans and kibble; long-lasting frozen chew tubes for guests-arrival time.

Shop quick helpers: treat-dispensing toys, puzzle feeders, dog dental chews.

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FAQs

What can I safely put in a Kong for a puppy?

• Start mild: soaked kibble, pumpkin, a little plain yogurt. Freeze for 30–60 minutes. For toy size and daily calories, keep portions small: a few tablespoons for small breeds, up to 1/2 cup mix for large breeds, adjusting meals accordingly.

Low-calorie ideas for overweight dogs?

• Bone broth and veggie mixes; pumpkin-yogurt thinned with water; cucumber-parsley smears on a trivet. Aim for under 30–60 kcal per session depending on size.

Are goat milk and bone broth safe daily?

• Bone broth (low-sodium) can be used often in small amounts. Goat milk is richer—offer as an occasional treat and dilute with water. Watch stools and reduce if soft.

How do I clean and sanitize toys?

• See Cleaning and sanitizing above. Look for dishwasher safe dog toys for easy care.

How do I know if my dog is an aggressive chewer, and when to retire a toy?

• If pieces disappear fast, you see tooth wear, or hard toys feel like a risk, treat your dog as a power chewer. Retire toys with splits, missing chunks, or sharp edges.

Can I use these ideas for cats?

• Yes in small, cat-safe ways: scatter kibble in a small snuffle braid, use a mini puzzle ball with a few kibbles. Avoid dairy if your cat is sensitive.

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Related Products

• Treat-dispensing toys
• Durable chew toys for heavy chewers
• Dog dental chews
• Puzzle feeders
• Dishwasher safe dog toys

Bundle idea: DIY Enrichment Starter Kit (treat-dispenser + puzzle feeder + dental chews + filler paste).

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Related Reading

• Choosing Safe and Durable Chew Toys for Every Type of Dog
• Why Dental Health Matters for Dogs (and How to Keep It in Check)
• How to Help a Teething Puppy Without Losing Your Shoes
• Destructive Chewing: Why It Happens and How to Redirect It Safely

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Get the Checklist

Download the DIY Chew Toy Safety and Recipe Guide (printable) to keep on your fridge. Includes portion sizes, safe ingredients, and cleaning steps.

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Author: Gavin Levenstein Reviewed for accuracy by the TailMe team. If your dog has medical concerns or special diet needs, please consult your veterinarian.

Media notes for accessibility: Add step photos or short videos for each hack with descriptive alt text (for example: frozen Kong bone broth recipe; DIY snuffle mat from T-shirts). Compress and lazy-load for faster pages.