Creating Pet Toys: A Guide To Investing And Making

Pet toys are a great business opportunity. With pet ownership on the rise, the pet product niche is a lucrative one. In the US, the average household spends around $500 on their pets each year, while affluent households spend around $1,523. There's also a growing demand for pet tech, with smart collars, automated feeders, and AI-powered toys becoming increasingly popular.

Starting a pet toy business can be a great way to get involved in the pet industry without a large investment. Pet toys are always in demand, and businesses in this industry have relatively low overhead. However, it's important to do your research on the industry, create a business plan, and choose the right business model.

When it comes to making pet toys, there are many DIY options that use easily available materials such as old socks, t-shirts, water bottles, and cardboard. You can also source materials and manufacturers from other countries, such as China, to keep costs low.

Whether you're looking to invest in an existing pet toy company or start your own business, the pet industry offers a wealth of opportunities for those willing to take the risk.

Tennis ball tug toy

Materials:

• Tennis ball
• Old t-shirts (preferably 2, but 1 will do)
• Scissors

Method:

• Cut two wide strips of fabric from your old t-shirts. The strips should be around 8 to 10 inches long—large enough to wrap around the tennis ball.
• Place the tennis ball in the centre of both strips.
• Wrap the strips around the ball and secure it with a thin piece of fabric from your shirt.
• You can choose to leave the toy as it is or cut the strips into three smaller strips and braid them together.

Tips:

• This toy is great for dogs that love to destroy their toys as the ball is protected by the t-shirt strips.
• You can also use t-shirts to make other dog toys. For example, you can braid the strips and tie the ends together to make a tug-of-war toy.

Precautions:

• Always monitor your dog when they are playing with toys to ensure they are using them correctly and that no small pieces are chewed off and swallowed.
• Tennis balls can pose health risks for dogs, especially those that like to chew. The fuzz on the ball can be abrasive and wear down your dog's teeth, and small pieces can become choking hazards or cause intestinal blockages.
• If your dog is an obsessive chewer, consider using a rubber ball designed for powerful chewers instead.

Homemade squeaky toy

A homemade squeaky toy is a great way to save money and entertain your dog for hours. All you need are a few simple materials and some creativity. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own squeaky toy:

Materials:

• Two pieces of fabric of the same size (for the outer covering)
• Heavier fabrics like denim or corduroy (optional, for larger dogs)
• Needle and thread
• Scissors
• Loose fabric scraps
• A squeaker from an old toy
• Old socks (optional)

Instructions:

• Put the two pieces of fabric together and sew three sides together, leaving the fourth side open.
• Clip any loose threads and turn the pouch inside out.
• Fill the pouch with loose fabric scraps until it is firm.
• Wrap the squeaker in fabric and sew the ends closed.
• Tuck the wrapped squeaker into the middle of the pouch.
• Add more fabric scraps to fill the pouch, leaving enough room to sew the open side closed.
• Sew the fourth side closed.
• Your toy is now ready for your dog to enjoy!

Tips:

• If you are making this toy for a larger, more exuberant dog, consider using heavier fabrics like denim or corduroy.
• You can also make a squeaky toy by using old socks and the squeakers from old toys.
• Always supervise your dog when playing with homemade toys to ensure their safety.

Treat-dispensing toys

There are a few different types of treat-dispensing toys, which can be filled with treats, kibble, or even peanut butter. The first type is a treat/meal holder, which dispenses treats as your dog plays. The second is a treat ring, which your dog must chew to get the rawhide treat ring off the toy. The third type is a frozen treat toy, which is filled with treats and then frozen. This could include treats such as broth, yoghurt, peanut butter, or whipped cream. Some toys also have built-in ridges to hold spreadable treats, like peanut butter or cheese.

When introducing a new treat-dispensing toy, it is best to do so before a meal, so your dog is hungry and motivated to figure out how to get the treat. Choose a quiet time and place with no distractions, so your dog can focus. Start with the toy on its easiest setting, and demonstrate how it works by placing it on the floor and shaking it until treats fall out. Once your dog has mastered the toy on the easiest setting, you can slowly increase the difficulty. If your dog gets stuck, bring the difficulty back down a level.

You can also make your own DIY treat dispenser with a few simple tools and materials. You will need a wireless drill, a table saw, wood pieces, paint, and empty bottles. Cut the wood pieces to size, sand them, and drill a hole for the wooden dowel to go through. Place the bottles on the dowel and secure it in place. Paint the edges of the wood to add some colour, and then place treats or kibble in the bottles.

Rope toys

Firstly, get some cotton rope. Cotton rope is all-natural and isn't harmful if your dog swallows pieces of it. You can get cotton rope from craft and hardware stores, as well as outdoor stores. The size of the rope will depend on the size of your dog. A 1/2"-3/4" rope would be suitable for a small dog, while a 1.5" rope is better for very large dogs.

Next, prepare your rope by unravelling the three strands and taping the ends to prevent fraying. Unravel about 8"-9" of rope—you will need to unravel more for bigger diameter ropes.

Now, tie a Matthew Walker knot. Take the first strand and go around the rope and back up through. Do the same with the second strand, making sure to go through the loop formed by the first strand as well as the second strand. Then, take the third strand and go through all three. Repeat this process for any additional strands.

Tighten the knot by pulling each strand evenly a little bit at a time. Start with the last strand you looped around and work backwards through the strands. Repeat this process several times until the knot is very tight and even.

Finally, finish the ends by trimming the strands and fraying the rope with a comb or brush.

You can also make a rope toy with a ball in the middle by following a similar process and adding some additional steps.

Snuffle mats

To make a snuffle mat, you will need the following materials:

• A rubber anti-fatigue mat with holes in it, cut to your desired size.
• Fleece fabric (it is recommended to use at least two different colours).

• Cut the fleece fabric into strips that are approximately 6-7 inches wide and 1 inch thick. You will need enough strips to fill all the holes in your mat.
• Choose one colour of fleece strips and double knot them along the entire edge of your mat. Loop the strips through each hole, filling in the inside of the mat.
• Choose the second colour of fleece strips and flip the mat over. Double knot the strips in the opposite direction of the first colour. Push all the fleece through the holes and then flip the mat back over to double knot the loose ends.
• Run your fingers through the fleece strips to separate them and create hiding places for treats.
• Sprinkle small pieces of food or treats throughout the mat, or give it a good shake so that the treats sink into the hiding spots.
• Allow your pet to smell the mat and then let them interact with it and find the treats.

It is important to note that pets should be supervised at all times while using the snuffle mat and should never be left alone with it. Additionally, the mat should be washed and allowed to air dry after several uses.

Frequently asked questions