How to Make Great Handmade Recycled Gifts for Pets

Pets are not as picky as people when it comes to gifts, so don't break the bank looking for fancy and expensive gifts for your dog or cat. You can quickly make your own pet gifts at home for your own pets or your friends' and family's pets. Many gifts can even be made from recycled materials or from items that you already have lying around your home.

Recycled Mice

Our cats always loved little toy mice. No matter how many fancy or expensive pet toys we bought, our kitties always adored the little mice I made by hand the best. These little guys can be made from completely recycled materials. They are a great way to keep trash out of our landfills and only take a few minutes to make.

Use old cloth scraps for the outside of the toy. I like to cut up old clothes and blankets to use as cloth scraps. If you are a crafter, you probably already have some lying around. Make a basic mouse shape with pointed nose and rounded back end. It should be shaped somewhat like a teardrop. Don't make your mice too large. They should be about three inches long and 1 ½ inches tall.

With the two outer sides of the cloth mouse facing each other, sew around the edges so that they have a nice strong seam. I hand-sew them in about five minutes. Leave a little hole in the back end for adding the stuffing. Turn the mouse right-side-out.

For filling, you can use scrap pieces of cloth, your own hair, or your cat's hair. Using familiar smelling items such as hair may make it more appealing to your cat. If you have some dried catnip, add a few pinches to the inside of the mouse before sewing it closed. This makes the mice more exciting. Because pet toys can be choked on or dismantled, always remember to supervise your cat with ANY toy.

Once the mouse has been filled, insert a tail made from a scrap of cloth, ribbon, or yarn into the back end of the mouse and sew the hole tightly closed. If you like, you can sew little eyes onto the front of the mouse from the outside. Do not use beads or buttons as they can be dangerous. A simple "x" made from two stitches of string is suitable. I also like to add little thread whiskers for tickling kitty noses as they play.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

You can make your own gourmet doggie biscuits to give to your pooch or to give away as gifts. They are as easy to make as regular cookies, even if you are not an experienced cook. Try looking for dog biscuit recipes online and find one that you think would be tasty. The great thing about making your own dog biscuits is that many recipes can be shared between you and your furry friend.

To gift wrap or package your dog treats, you could place them into an old jar and tie with a ribbon. Another easy packaging idea is to place the dog treats inside of a brown paper lunch bag. Fold the top down once, punch two holes into the folded part side-by-side and thread a ribbon through the holes to hold it together. Tie into a bow.

Recycled Dog Collar

You can make a new dog collar using the metal buckle or plastic fastener from an old collar. Cut the old collar off and discard it if it can no longer be used. Many materials can be used to make a new collar. Canvas, reinforced cloth, old belts, denim from old jeans, and seatbelts can all be used. There are also a variety of craft products that can be added to your dog collar for decoration.

Buttons are a great way to decorate a dog collar. Buttons can be securely sewn on using a heavy-duty thread. Make sure that they are secure so that your dog does not lose one. Craft stores usually sell all kinds of novelty buttons. Look for cute buttons such as dog bone shapes and other dog-themed buttons.

Beads and rhinestones are also great additions to dog collars so long as they are firmly attached. Beads and stones glitter and can really give your dog's collar bling appeal!

Don't forget to add your dog's name to the collar. Buttons can be purchased in the shape of letters and sewn-on. For a more durable effect, hand-stitch your dog's name into the collar using embroidery thread or yarn.

Recycled Pet Beds

Old bedding makes great pet beds! Old blankets, sheets and pillows can become cat and dog beds. Simply sew your pet bed from an old sheet or from the outer layers of an unused comforter. Comforter stuffing and pillow stuffing can be used to stuff your new pet bed. Old pillows can find new life with your fluffy friend. You can even make a simple cover for your pet bed by sewing a pillowcase-style slipcover from old sheets that is slightly larger than the dimensions of the pet bed.

Fresh Catnip Gift

Any cat lover would love the opportunity to grow their own catnip. You can put together an inexpensive gift by purchasing a small pot at a garden store. Inside the pot, place a packet of catnip seeds and a couple of small cat toys. The pot can even be its own wrapper. Simply place the drainage tray upside down over the top of the pot and tie a ribbon around them both going under the bottom of the pot and tie in a bow at the top.

Fancy Cat Box Furniture

If you have some talent with woodworking, you can make a very nice gift for any cat lover from a piece of old furniture. You will need a television stand or bedside stand with a cabinet underneath. Cut a hole in one side of the cabinet large enough for a cat to get through. The cat box can be placed inside of the cabinet and can be cleaned and accessed by opening the cabinet doors. This is a great way to recycle an old unwanted piece of furniture and will keep a kitty box hidden without having to put it in a bathroom or closet.

Pet Placemats

Does your pet fling food when eating? You can make a great pet placemat to put under pet dishes that is cute and washable. Simply sew the placemat from an old towel or from old clothes or scrap pieces of cloth. Some cute shapes include mice, fish, and dog bones. When it gets dirty, just toss it into the washing machine with the rest of the laundry.

Dog Biscuit Ornament

Dog biscuits make great Christmas ornaments. All you need to do is coat the dog biscuit with several layers of sealer such as acrylic sealer or varnish. Once dry, the dog bone will be preserved forever. You can write your pooch's name on the back and use hot glue to glue a red bow and loop on one end to hang it from your tree. It might be a good idea to hang it up high to keep it from being mistaken for a real treat.

You may also be interested in my article about How to Feed Your Dog a Raw Food Diet on a Budget.