DIY gifts for dogs

Looking for a creative way to treat your pet this festive season? Making DIY gifts for dogs is a budget-friendly way to create something tailored to your pup’s personality.

From rope toys to enriching snuffle mats, these DIY gifts for dogs are simple, inexpensive and guaranteed to get tails wagging.

Creating DIY Christmas presents for your dog is a thoughtful way to include them in the festivities. Just make sure to supervise your pet with any new toys and to check toys regularly for signs of wear and tear.

This simple and easy-to-make toy is great fun for dogs and will provide them with plenty of mental stimulation. Plus, it's the perfect way to recycle an empty plastic bottle!

Supplies
● A clean empty plastic bottle
● Craft knife

Instructions
● Clean, dry and remove all labels from your bottle.
● Using the craft knife, cut around eight small holes in the bottle – ensure they’re large enough to release the kibble, but small enough to stop the kibble from falling out all at once.
● Place a few tablespoons of your dog’s kibble in the bottle and replace the lid.

If your dog needs some help, roll the bottle along the floor until some treats come out. For dogs who've used puzzle toys before, cut fewer holes to make it more of a challenge.

Snuffle mats are a great way to keep your dog mentally enriched and entertained while Christmas celebrations are underway – and you don’t need much to make your own.

Supplies
● Scissors
● Fabric in assorted colours (such as from old sweatshirts or T-shirts)
● An old t-shirt
● A piece of cardboard or other stiff material to act as the base

Instructions
● Wrap a piece of cardboard, about 25cm x 35cm, inside an old T-shirt or with fabric to create a firm base. This prevents the mat from balling up while your dog snuffles.
● Snip a small 1cm hole in the top left corner of the fabric covering the cardboard, around 2cm in from each side.
● Snip another small hole around 2cm along from the first hole.
● Repeat until the fabric is covered with a grid of small holes.
● With the remaining fabric, cut thin strips of material, around 20cm in length and 4cm wide. Try using different colours for variety (dogs can see blue and yellow better than other colours).
● Take a strip of material and thread it down through the first hole you made, then back up through the second hole and tie a double knot.
● Repeat until all holes are filled with fabric knots.
● When you’re ready for your dog to use it, sprinkle kibble on the top of the mat.

If your dog enjoys playing fetch or tug of war, they’ll love this simple toy.

Supplies
● Scissors
● An old tennis ball
● Hardwearing fabric, such as an old sweatshirt

Instructions
● Cut the bottom hem off your jumper, then cut the hem to make two equal strips.
● Lay the sweatshirt flat then cut a large rectangle from one side. Aim for a piece roughly 25cm x 35cm.
● Place the tennis ball at the edge of one side of the rectangle, then roll the fabric around the ball.
● Using the two strips from the hem, tie a double knot on either side of the tennis ball.
● Repeat so you have two double knots on each side, then cut off the excess hem fabric.
● Cut the loose sweatshirt fabric at either end of the ball into six strips of roughly equal width.
● Take three strips from one side and create a plait, tying it off with one of the fabric ends or a small strip of spare fabric. Repeat so you have two plaits on each side

This toy is a great way to add healthy fibre to your dog's winter diet and keep them entertained on Christmas Day.

Supplies
● Scissors
● A sharp knife
● One sweet potato
● Thick natural hemp rope
● Optional: Apple corer or small cookie cutter

Instructions
● Wash the sweet potato, then cut into 1cm slices.
● Use an apple corer, small cookie cutter, or a sharp knife to remove the centre of each slice (you can cook these and add them to your dog’s dinner).
● Place the slices on a baking try and cook at 100°C for around five hours.
● Cut a piece of hemp rope about 60cm long.
● Tie a knot in one end of the hemp rope.
● Once the sweet potato slices are completely cool, thread them onto the rope.
● Tie a knot at the other end and trim off any excess rope.

As dogs thrive on routine, the holidays can leave them feeling a little unsettled, so providing them with plenty of stimulation and attention helps to keep their spirits high. Whatever toys you choose to make for your pet, be sure to always supervise them during playtime.

To keep your dog calm and content during the Christmas period, try to stick to regular walks and mealtimes. If you have guests staying, spend one-on-one time with your dog and offer them a room to retreat to if it all gets a bit much.

If you notice signs of your dog being stressed over Christmas, speak to your vet. If you’ve got dog insurance with Petplan, you can also use our Pet Expert Chat to connect with vet professionals for advice – simply log into your My Petplan account to access.