How to Make Dog Chew Toys | Safe DIY Chews

Making your own dog chew toys is a smart way to save money and reuse fabric that would otherwise end up in a landfill. The working route to a safe homemade chew starts with sturdy, non-toxic materials — not brittle plastic or small parts a dog could swallow. Most DIY methods follow the same formula: cut fabric into strips, braid or knot those strips into a dense shape, and finish with a very firm securing knot. The result is a toy that satisfies a dog’s urge to chew while surviving rough play, as long as you choose materials that match your dog’s size and chewing style, per the ASPCA’s guidance on pet products.

Below are two field-tested methods — the braided rope toy and the fabric-wrapped tennis ball — plus the mistakes to avoid. Choose based on what your dog actually likes to destroy.

What Materials Work Best For Homemade Chews?

Old T-shirts, fleece blankets, denim, socks, and other sturdy fabric strips are the most reliable bases for DIY chew toys. These materials are soft enough not to damage teeth but dense enough to stand up to moderate chewing. Tennis balls and clean plastic bottles appear in many homemade designs, but they suit some dogs better than others — a power chewer will shred a sock in minutes.

The ASPCA’s position on dog chews and treats is clear: pick a product designed for the species, size, and chewing habits of your pet, and follow label directions explicitly. Applied to DIY toys, that means a small dog with light chewing habits can handle a simple knotted sock, while a large breed needs multiple layers of braided denim or fleece. Match the material to the dog, not the other way around.

How To Braid A Rope Chew Toy From Fabric Strips

Guide Dogs Queensland’s DIY method produces a square-braided rope toy that holds up well. The technique is straightforward and requires no sewing.

Start by cutting your fabric into strips about 5 centimeters wide — roughly 2 inches. You will need four strips total, each long enough to allow for the braiding and end knots. Here’s the process:

1. Lay the four strips together and tie one very firm overhand knot at one end, leaving a small tail beyond the knot.
2. Arrange the four loose strips in a plus shape — one pointing up, one down, one left, one right.
3. Take the top strip and loop it clockwise over the strip to its right.
4. Continue looping each strip clockwise around the next one in sequence.
5. Pull firmly after each loop so the braid tightens into a square pattern.
6. Repeat until you reach your desired length, then finish with another very firm overhand knot.

When the braid is done, tug the whole thing hard. If any knot gives, it is not secure enough for a dog.

For dogs that love fetch as much as chewing, this braided rope doubles as a tug toy. If your dog destroys it quickly, consider a tougher commercial option — the best dog chew toy roundup on this site compares brands built for heavy chewers.

How To Make A Fabric-Wrapped Tennis Ball Toy

The North Shore Animal League America’s method turns a tennis ball and an old piece of fabric into a toy that combines fetch and chew. Place the fabric in an X over the ball, with the ball at the center. Wrap the fabric around the ball so it covers the surface, then tie it securely in place. Cut the loose tails into at least three strips, each about 2 inches long, and braid those tails tightly with no gaps. The braided tails give the dog something to grip while the wrapped ball provides the bounce.

A second easy design from the same source uses a clean plastic bottle and a sock. Remove the cap, slide the bottle into the sock, and tie the sock extra tight so the bottle cannot come out. The crinkle sound appeals to many dogs, and the sock gives them a soft surface to chew. This one is best for supervised play only — a determined chewer will eventually get through the sock and into the plastic, so watch closely and take it away at the first sign of damage.

What Are The Common Mistakes With DIY Chew Toys?

The most frequent errors all come down to safety. Small parts, loose threads, and weak knots are the top offenders — a dog can swallow a button, a thread, or a detached knot, requiring a trip to the vet. Brittle or toxic materials are just as dangerous; avoid anything that cracks into sharp shards or contains chemicals your dog should not ingest.

Supervision is the single most important habit. No homemade toy survives every dog forever, so inspect toys before each use and throw any toy away at the first sign of rips, loose threads, or detached pieces. A torn toy is not a fixable toy — replacing it is cheaper than an emergency vet bill.

Even with the right materials, no homemade toy matches the durability testing of premium commercial products. If your dog is a determined chewer who destroys braided fabric in hours, a reinforced rubber or nylon chew is the safer long-term investment — one designed for heavy chewing will outlast anything sewn or braided at home.

The bottom line for any DIY chew toy: sturdy, non-toxic fabric, tight braids, firm knots, matching the toy to the dog’s chewing style, and supervising every play session. Follow those rules and you can make a toy your dog will love — and replace it easily when it wears out, which it will.