21 Low Cost DIY Pet Products

Save money and the environment by making these inexpensive toys, treats, and supplies that will be healthier for both your pet and your budget than store-bought products.

by Pauline Milner

Half of American homes have a furry family member. They add a lot to our families. But also a lot to our budgets.

These do-it-yourself pet items will save you substantial dollars and will be healthier than store bought brands.

Grooming and Healthcare

1. Pet Shampoo

Make a pH-balanced shampoo using 2 cups each of apple cider vinegar and natural liquid dish soap and two ounces vegetable glycerin.

2. Dry Skin Soother

For dry, itchy skin, add 1 cup oatmeal and 1/2 cup baking soda to 1 quart of warm water.

3. Ear Cleaner

Ear cleaner can be made with equal parts white vinegar and water, saving you $20 off a vet add-on. Clean ears once a week with a natural cotton ball.

4. Oils

Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil will control fleas. Add 1 tbsp. of coconut oil to keep skin from getting dry. A daily fish oil pill will help pets prone to matted fur. These natural remedies will save countless vet and grooming visits and mounting costs for treatment.

Editor’s note: There is some controversy when it comes to using essential oils on pets. You may want to consult your vet before using and read the following sources:

5. Health Remedies

Upset tummies can be soothed with yogurt or feeding plain rice mixed with hamburger, and adding fresh ground mint or parsley to your pet’s food will cure bad breath.

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Toys

6. Repurposed Items

Toys for dogs and cats can be made from items found in your home or at a local dollar store.

7. Dog Toys

For dogs, braid strips from a t-shirt, denim, dish towels, or a scarf into a tug toy. Poke two holes in a tennis ball and slide it onto the braid so it doubles as a chew toy. Dogs that are more into destruction than dining will love any plastic containers. Cover a water bottle with a sock for hours of crunchy fun or give them an empty peanut butter jar. (See Homemade Longer Lasting Dog Chews on the Cheap.)

8. Cat Toys

For cats, braided fleece scraps and almost anything tied to a string (even a scrap of paper) will keep them busy. Tie the string to a door handle for independent fun. A scratch post can be made from a post (think PVC piping) put in a base and wrapped in spare rope.

9. Treat Toys

To challenge your curious little ones, put treats in a muffin tin and cover the openings with tennis balls. Hide treats in resealed cardboard boxes or add some peanut butter to the ends of paper towel or toilet paper rolls if you do not mind a little mess.

Treats

10. DIY Treats

Pet treats can be made in your kitchen, saving you 80% or more off retail prices. (See 7 Simple Affordable Pet Treats.)

11. Sweet Potato Treats

Cut sweet potatoes (high in fiber, manganese, vitamins C and B6) into 3/4-inch thick pieces. Bake at 170 degrees for 6 hours so they slowly dehydrate.

12. Bacon Sticks

Dogs will love bacon sticks. Combine 1 1/4 cups milk, 1 tbsp. honey, 5 tbsp. bacon fat, 1/3 cup cooked and crumbled bacon, 2 1/2 cups oat flour, and 1 egg into a dough. Knead for 3 minutes. Cut into 24 pieces and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. You can store both of these treats refrigerated for up to 7 days.

13. Dog Bones

Ask your local butcher or meat department for dog-safe dog bones.

14. Catnip

Grow your own catnip at a cost of a few dollars for 400 seeds.

15. Dogcicles

For hot summer days, freeze a rawhide stick in water to make “dogcicles.” To encourage even more hydration, freeze toys in water put in a bowl.

Cleaning Products

16. Pet Carpet Cleaner

Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1 cup baking soda, and 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid and it will probably work just as well. You can let the mixture set to work on tough stains, but be sure to check for colorfastness first. (See Make Your Own Cheap Carpet Machine Cleaning Solution.)

17. Carpet Freshener

Sprinkle baking soda on its own and leave it set for a couple of hours before sweeping or vacuuming to keep areas where pets frequent fresh. Baking soda can be used directly on your dog to control odor but avoid their eyes and ears.

18. Pet Waste Bags

Use bread bags or the plastic sleeves from your morning paper (if you still get one) to pick up pet waste.

Accessories

19. Bed

Make a pet bed from the bottom of an old suitcase with a fluffy pillow from a secondhand store.

20. Food Dish Stand

If you want to get pet dishes off the floor, cut a hole in the seat of a child’s old chair to fit their bowls for a unique look. You can use any chair. You just need to shorten the legs to fit your pet.

21. Bows and Bandanas

When it is time to dress up, add your own bow tie or bandana to their collar.

You will save using these tips and your pets and home will be healthier and more environmentally friendly, too!

Reviewed March 2024