DIY Octopus Tug Toy for Dogs

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Go green and recycle an old T-shirt into a fun octopus tug toy for your precious pooch!


I love DIY projects that are simple and budget-friendly, and this octopus-wannabe tug toy is both of those things. Seriously, you don’t need any fancy supplies or special skills to make it, and it will cost you literally nothing if you decide to recycle the materials- which I thoroughly recommend. Not only that it’s good for the planet, but it’s also great for your wallet!


If you have a dog that regularly destroys their toys, you probably don’t want to spend big bucks when you know you’ ll need to replace them each week. This tug-of-war toy is a great way to keep your pup entertained (granted, an old sock could probably do that) on a budget. And, as a bonus, it really looks cute.


You probably won’t have to make a trip to your local dollar store for supplies, because there is a high chance you already have all the supplies lying around your house. Nifty and thrifty!


What You’ll Need:


  • any small ball ( tennis balls work perfectly)
  • an old T-shirt
  • scissors

Instructions


  1. Cut the shirt into 3 pieces- 2 should be approximately 6 inches wide each, and the third should be an inch wide (I used the hem of the shirt).
  2. You’ll get three tube pieces so cut along the hem on one side to get 3 strips of fabric.
  3. Place the two wide pieces one on top of each other to get an X shape, then put the ball in the middle.
  4. Now, just wrap the ball with both strips- essentially scoop it up, making sure that everything is tucked in nicely.
  5. Secure the wrap by tying a knot with the narrow strip of fabric you’ve previously cut. What you’ll get is a tightly covered ball with 4 hanging bands of fabric underneath. Pro Tip: If you’re using the hem as I did, leave the ends to weave them later instead of cutting them- it makes for a neat finish.
  6. Cut each of the pieces into 3 narrow ones and braid them into one “tentacle.” Alternatively, you can cut them into even thinner strips for more braids, but this ratio works well for most dogs (makes the toy sturdy enough).
Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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