The Best Rope Toys For Dogs (and How to Make One Yourself)
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Time to read 4 min
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Time to read 4 min
Long or short, thick or thin, multi-colored or not – rope toys are great for dogs! This classic dog toy is a staple in the doggy toy box. It allows your pal to fetch, chew, and thrash. Your canine companion can also test their strength in an epic match of tug-of-war!
Inexpensive rope toys help your tiny pup satisfy their chewing obsession when they hit the teething stage. It will also help save your furniture and shoes. Another tip for the tiny ones is to always have more than one on hand as a back up! As with all toys, if the strands come loose or pieces come apart, take the toy away from your pooch. Human supervision is always necessary during play time.
Although there are tons of materials used to make fun tug toys for dogs, we suggest rope toys made with t-shirt material. The t-shirt fabric is tummy safe – which means that it’s easier on the digestive track in the event it’s accidentally ingested. It’s easier to pass than nylon or other fibrous materials used in rope toys.
These toys are so easy to make that you can DIY one yourself. Re-purpose your old shirts by turning them into a DIY dog rope toy for your favorite pup! Learning how is simple and takes less than 10 minutes! Just grab two t-shirts, some scissors and you can quickly fashion this T-shirt dog toy for your furry love.
For this project, the only things you need are two gently used t-shirts that smell like you and a pair of scissors. Dogs who love rolling around in your laundry will love this toy even more.
(*Note: If you have more than two tees handy, you can use more and make a super colorful version!)
Start by cutting little 2-3” wide slits at the base of your shirts. After you’ve cut your slits, just rip along the slit and your t-shirt will have the perfect strips of fabric for the next step.
Gather your t-shirt strips and tie off one end. Divide your strips into thirds and braid them together.
Once you’ve braided down to the other end, tie up the bottom and cut any straggling t-shirt strips.
Whether this toy comes in handy during an epic tug-of-war battle or serves as a distraction to keep your pooch’s mind from wandering to the smelly trash can and dreams of gnawing the legs off the couch– it’s a simple and fun way to make something special for your four-legged friend.
Of course, you could always skip the whole “making a t-shirt toy” process altogether and just buy one instead. Did you know that BARK’s famous Tug Toys – for playing tug with that dog you love – are often made with t-shirt rope? It’s true!
Take a look at some of our favorite rope and tug toys below. Subscribers can simply add them to their next box!
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Holy guacamole, that's alotta elote!
Features:
• T-Shirt Rope
• Tube Squeaker
• Crazy Crinkle
• Fluff
• Ballistic Nylon
• Chenille
• Long & Strong Hair
Recommended For: Tug, Squeaker Seekers, Thrashers
This Dunkin' Donuts On A Rope Dog Toy is a sweet addition to playtime. Made with T-shirt rope, four squeakers, and packed with fluff, this toy is a hole-in-one for dogs who love to tug!
All donations support the Dunkin’® Joy in Childhood Foundation®, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’®, whose mission is to bring joy to kids battling hunger or illness. One of their Signature Programs, Dogs for Joy®, helps fund full-time facility dogs in hospitals across the country, bringing joy and comfort to pediatric patients.
Features: 3 Squeakers
Materials/Attributes: Pull-Through T-Shirt Rope, Packed with Fluff
Recommend For: Tug, Thrashers, Squeaker Seekers
Keep your dog fresh after a long day in the garden. Plus, the shreddable hair and fluff will make a splash with every thrash.
Features:
• 1x Tube Squeaker
• Pull-Through T-Shirt Rope
• Whip-N-Flip Spray
• Long & Strong Hair
• Crazy Crinkle
• Packed With Fluff
Recommended For: Tug, Thrashers, Squeaker Seekers
This tomato vine dog toy is ripe for the licking! Each tomato is packed with fluff and a squeaker for your pup to chomp down on. If your dog is feeling saucy, tug on Hairloom Tomatoe's T-Shirt rope vine to cultivate a game of tug-of-war.
Features:
• T-Shirt Rope
• 4 Squeakers, 4x 2.25" medium ball squeakers (1 in each tomato)
• Super Soft Fuzz
• Packed with Fluff
Recommend For: Tug, Thrashers, Squeaker Seekers
Did Chew Know?
According to folklore, when chōchin reach a certain age, they become a spirit that jumps out and scares people. One more thing for your watchdog to look out for!
Features:
• Pull Through T-Shirt Rope
• Crazy Crinkle
• 3 Squeakers
Recommended For: Tug, Squeaker Seekers
Every pooch has puppy-dog eyes for Heart Throbert! This heart and arrow dog toy is full of fluff and main character energy. With tail-wagging assets like a squeaker and pull-through T-shirt rope, this hunk will make any dog’s heart go pitter patter after playtime.
Features:
T-Shirt Rope
Packed with Fluff
Squeaker
Recommended For:
Tug, Cuddlers, Squeaker Seekers
Explore this grey's anatomy! Whether your dog probes for treats in the chest, or uncovers a shocking bonus toy inside the head, this alien was made for close encounters of the furred kind.
Features:
• Multi-Part Toy (2) + Surprise Bonus Toy Inside
• 2 Squeakers
• Crazy Crinkle
• Fluff, Polyester, Corduroy
Recommended For: Thrashers, Fetch, Tug, Treat Hiding, Multi-Dog Households, Squeaker Seeker