Easy DIY Pet Enrichment Projects You Can Make at Home
- Shirley Williams
- Feb 11
- 3 min read
Keeping pets mentally engaged doesn’t have to mean expensive toys or complicated setups. Some of the best enrichment activities are simple, low-cost, and can be made right at home with things you probably already have. More importantly, these little projects give your pet something to do, something to think about, and sometimes something to solve — which is just as important as physical exercise.
One easy favorite is a DIY treat puzzle. This can be as simple as placing a few treats inside a cardboard box, paper towel tube, or muffin tin and letting your pet figure out how to get them out. Dogs and cats both enjoy the challenge, and it taps into their natural problem-solving instincts. You can adjust the difficulty depending on your pet’s age and ability. If you want to learn more about why puzzle toys are so beneficial, the AKC explains the mental health benefits nicely here: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/dog-puzzle-toys/
Snuffle mats are another wonderful enrichment project, especially for dogs who love to sniff. You can make one using fleece strips tied through a rubber mat or even repurpose a towel by folding treats into the layers. Sniffing is calming for dogs and gives their brains a real workout. According to veterinary behaviorists, scent work can help reduce boredom and anxiety in dogs of all ages. The Spruce Pets has a great overview of why sniffing matters: https://www.thesprucepets.com/why-dogs-like-to-sniff-1118234
Cats benefit from enrichment just as much as dogs, and a homemade cat wand toy can provide endless entertainment. A wooden spoon, string, and a bit of fabric or crinkly paper can turn into a toy your cat will chase with enthusiasm. Just be sure to supervise playtime and put string toys away when you’re done to prevent accidental ingestion. Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has solid guidance on safe interactive cat play: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/play-your-cat
For pets who enjoy watching the world go by, creating a cozy observation spot can be surprisingly enriching. A cleared windowsill with a soft blanket for cats, or a comfortable dog bed placed near a window, gives them visual stimulation throughout the day. Watching birds, people, and passing cars can help break up long periods of quiet at home. This kind of low-energy enrichment is especially helpful for senior pets or those with mobility issues.
Rotating toys is another simple trick many pet parents overlook. Instead of leaving every toy out all the time, put some away and swap them every few days. This makes old toys feel new again and keeps your pet interested without buying anything new. Even small changes like this can make a big difference in preventing boredom.
What I love most about these DIY projects is that they encourage us to slow down and think about what our pets actually enjoy. Enrichment isn’t about perfection — it’s about engagement, curiosity, and connection. A cardboard box, a towel, or a scrap of fabric can become something meaningful when it meets your pet’s natural instincts.
There are so many ideas for DIY enrichment toys that you can find online. Almost all of them are made with free items or very low cost items, so there is nothing to lose. Make some enrichment toys today for your babies and see how much they love them!
At Your Furry Godmothers, we believe in pet enrichment very strongly. Part of our service is to have enrichment toys to play with your babies. Even if you have your own, it is exciting for them to play with new toys while we are with them.
If you live in our service area, we would love to watch and care for you pets whenever you cannot be there with them. Call us today and set up a "meet and greet" at no cost to you where we can introduce ourselves and tell you all about our services while we meet you babies. Call us at 405-673-3306 today.
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