You can make simple dog enrichment toys from a muffin tin, a clean towel, sturdy cardboard, old fleece or an ice-cube tray. Use part of your dog’s normal food allowance, remove tape and staples, size every item to prevent swallowing, and supervise the entire activity. DIY toys are best for short, interactive sessions—not for leaving with an unattended dog.

Before you make anything

Homemade enrichment can be cheap and genuinely useful, but a household object is not automatically dog-safe. The RSPCA advises owners to consider materials, size, durability, age, health and play style, and to supervise new and DIY items.

Use this safety check for every project:

  • Food: Use your dog’s usual food or a vet-approved ingredient. Keep food used in games within the daily ration.
  • Materials: Choose clean, non-toxic items with no sharp edges, staples, sticky tape, elastic, string or loose embellishments.
  • Size: Balls and other parts must be too large to choke on or swallow.
  • Play style: Skip fabric and cardboard projects for dogs that shred and swallow them.
  • Supervision: Stay with your dog, help if they become frustrated and remove the project afterwards.
  • Condition: Throw away disposable projects when wet, torn or dirty. Do not repair a damaged item with tape.

Important: If your dog may have swallowed fabric, cardboard, a ball or another object, contact a vet promptly. Do not wait for vomiting, pain or a blockage to become obvious.

Five DIY dog enrichment toys at a glance

Project Time Approximate cost* Difficulty for your dog Best for
Muffin-tin puzzle 2 minutes $0–2 Easy Beginners and nose work
Towel treat roll 2 minutes $0 Easy Foraging and calm investigation
Cardboard forage box 5 minutes $0–2 Easy–medium Searching and shredding-free play
Braided fleece scent toy 15 minutes $0–5 Medium Interactive sniffing and supervised tug
Frozen enrichment cubes 5 minutes plus freezing $0–3 Easy Licking and warm-day enrichment

*Costs assume you already have basic household items and use food from your dog’s normal allowance. Do not buy a household item that would be cheaper or safer as a purpose-made pet toy.

1. Muffin-tin puzzle

This is a useful first puzzle because your dog can see and smell the food. The balls create a simple problem without requiring complicated instructions.

You need

  • a clean muffin tin;
  • a small amount of your dog’s normal kibble or suitable treats; and
  • sturdy balls sized safely for your dog—one per cup you use.

Make it

  1. Wash and dry the tin.
  2. Place one or two pieces of food in three cups to begin.
  3. Cover those cups with safely sized balls.
  4. Put the tin on non-slip flooring and let your dog investigate.

Make it easier: Leave the food uncovered or place the ball beside the cup.

Make it harder: Cover more cups, including a few empty cups, only after your dog understands the game.

Safety and cleaning: Do not use small balls for large dogs. Remove the tin if your dog bites the metal, gulps at the balls or becomes frustrated. Wash and dry the tin and balls after use.

2. Towel treat roll

A loosely rolled towel encourages sniffing and unrolling rather than fast bowl eating. It is simple to adjust and requires no cutting.

You need

  • one clean, dry towel without loose threads; and
  • part of your dog’s normal dry meal.

Make it

  1. Lay the towel flat.
  2. Sprinkle a thin line of kibble across the middle.
  3. Fold the towel once over the food for the first attempt.
  4. When your dog understands the game, roll it loosely rather than tying knots.

Make it easier: Leave some kibble visible at the edge.

Make it harder: Add a second loose fold. Avoid tight rolls that make the food inaccessible.

Safety and cleaning: This project is unsuitable for dogs that chew or swallow fabric. Remove it as soon as the food is found or your dog starts biting the towel. Machine wash when the food and manufacturer’s care instructions allow, and dry completely before reuse.

3. Cardboard forage box

A forage box lets your dog search through safe textures. Keep the first version sparse; a box packed tightly with paper can make the game frustrating and increase the chance of ingestion.

You need

  • one clean, sturdy cardboard box with no staples, tape, labels or sharp edges;
  • a few pieces of clean, plain cardboard or unscented paper; and
  • a small amount of your dog’s normal food.

Make it

  1. Remove all tape, staples and loose labels.
  2. Place the box on its side on non-slip flooring.
  3. Scatter a few pieces of food in plain sight.
  4. Add two or three large cardboard pieces or loosely scrunched paper sheets.
  5. Let your dog sniff and search while you watch closely.

Make it easier: Use an open egg carton with uncovered kibble instead of a box.

Make it harder: Hide the food among a few more large pieces, not under a deep pile.

Safety and cleaning: Remove the box if your dog eats the cardboard or paper rather than searching for food. Do not use packaging that contained chemicals, sharp objects, cleaning products or unknown residues. Discard after the session.

4. Braided fleece scent toy

This project combines making a simple toy with an interactive scent game. The toy should be large enough that it cannot be swallowed and used only with a person present.

You need

  • clean fleece strips or an old cotton T-shirt cut into three long, wide strips; and
  • a few pieces of your dog’s normal food for the scent game.

Make it

  1. Cut three wide strips of equal length. The finished toy should remain large and easy to hold.
  2. Knot the strips firmly together at one end.
  3. Braid loosely, then knot the other end.
  4. Rub one piece of food between your fingers and touch it to a section of the braid, or hide the braid for a simple toy search.
  5. Use the toy for a short supervised find or gentle interactive game.

Make it easier: Let your dog watch you place the toy on the floor.

Make it harder: Hide it behind a chair leg or under an upturned, lightweight box that your dog can safely push aside.

Safety and cleaning: Do not use this for powerful shredders, dogs that swallow fabric or unsupervised chewing. Avoid rough, high-intensity tug. Wash according to the fabric and dry fully. Discard if it frays, unravels or becomes small enough to swallow.

5. Frozen enrichment cubes

Frozen cubes provide licking and sensory enrichment. They should be sized appropriately and offered as food, not as a chew toy containing hard objects.

You need

  • a clean ice-cube tray for small dogs or a muffin tray for larger portions;
  • a small amount of your dog’s normal wet food, or a vet-approved dog-safe puree; and
  • water to create the right texture.

Make it

  1. Place a small portion of wet food or puree in each well.
  2. Add water and mix if suitable for the food.
  3. Freeze until firm.
  4. Offer one appropriately sized portion on a non-slip mat or in a sturdy bowl.

Make it easier: Freeze for less time so the texture is softer, or serve chilled rather than frozen.

Make it harder: Use a purpose-made, freezer-safe food toy instead of making an extremely hard or large block.

Safety and cleaning: Do not add onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, alcohol or salty leftovers. Check foods that are toxic to dogs and cats before experimenting. Ask your vet before changing ingredients for a dog with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or a prescribed diet. Wash the tray thoroughly.

How to teach your dog to use a homemade puzzle

Dogs are not born knowing the rules of a puzzle. A good introduction is more important than making the activity difficult.

  1. Let your dog watch you prepare it. The food smell creates a clear starting point.
  2. Begin with food visible. Success should take seconds, not minutes.
  3. Reward calm investigation. Avoid adding excited cheering if it makes your dog frantic.
  4. Change one thing at a time. Cover one cup or add one fold—not every difficulty at once.
  5. Stop before frustration. Pawing intensely, biting the container, whining or walking away means the activity needs simplifying.
  6. End with an easy success. Then remove the item and offer water and a quiet place to rest.

What not to use for DIY dog enrichment

Avoid projects containing:

  • string, yarn, ribbon, dental floss, rubber bands or hair ties;
  • cooked bones, corn cobs or hard objects that can splinter or block the gut;
  • small balls, bells, buttons, beads or detachable squeakers;
  • brittle plastic, sharp metal, staples, pins or tape;
  • plastic bottles that can crack, collapse or expose sharp edges;
  • essential oils, strong fragrances or unknown cleaning residues; and
  • foods that are unsafe for your dog or unsuitable for their medical diet.

A purpose-made product is often the better choice for heavy chewers, independent play or repeated food use. Compare washable materials, size, difficulty and replacement cost rather than assuming DIY is always cheaper.

Prefer a reusable option? See Zookie’s puzzle feeders and enrichment toys and choose one that matches your dog’s size, experience and play style.

Cleaning and replacement schedule

Item After every use Replace or discard when
Muffin tin and balls Wash off food residue and dry Balls crack, compress or become small enough to swallow
Towel or fleece Remove food; wash regularly and dry fully Fabric frays, smells, stays damp or your dog starts eating it
Cardboard and paper Remove all food and dispose responsibly Always discard if wet, dirty, torn or chewed
Frozen-food tray Wash and dry thoroughly Cracks, sharp edges or difficult-to-clean residue appear
Purpose-made food toy Clean according to manufacturer instructions Rubber tears, pieces detach or old food cannot be removed

Frequently asked questions

What are enrichment toys for dogs?

Enrichment toys are objects that encourage behaviours such as searching, sniffing, licking, chewing, chasing or problem-solving. They work best as part of a broader routine that also includes exercise, training, social interaction and rest.

How do you make dog enrichment toys with paper or cardboard?

Use clean, plain materials without tape or staples, hide a small amount of normal food and supervise closely. Remove the item immediately if your dog tries to eat the paper or cardboard. These are disposable, interactive activities—not chew toys.

Are homemade dog toys safe?

They can be safe for some dogs when materials, size and difficulty are appropriate and a person supervises. No homemade toy is risk-free. Dogs that shred or swallow materials need different activities or a durable purpose-made product recommended for their play style.

What is the easiest DIY dog enrichment toy?

An open egg carton containing a few pieces of your dog’s normal kibble is one of the simplest options. Stay with your dog and remove the carton if they start eating it. A muffin tin with uncovered food is another beginner-friendly choice.

Can I leave DIY toys with my dog while I am out?

Generally, no. Fabric, cardboard, paper, rope and small-part projects should be supervised and removed afterwards. Only leave an item alone with your dog when you already know its materials, construction and your dog’s behaviour make independent use safe.

How can I make enrichment without adding too many calories?

Set aside part of your dog’s breakfast or dinner before filling a puzzle. You can also use a favourite toy for a search game, teach a new cue or create a non-food scent trail.

Keep building your dog’s routine

For more scent games, training, exercise and non-food ideas, read Dog Enrichment: The Complete Australian Guide. It includes a seven-day schedule and advice for puppies, seniors, apartments and busy households.

Sources

General information only. Publish with original photographs of the actual projects and after veterinary or appropriately qualified behaviour review. Contact your vet about suitable ingredients, individual health needs or suspected ingestion.