DIY: 3 No-Sew Dog Toys

Here are three tutorials for easy no-sew dog toys you can make last minute.  These aren’t for heavy chewers.  Don’t miss these no sew cat toys for your kitty friends.  Looking for more DIY inspiration?  Check out the DIY Archive for lots of pet projects!

The first is a fleece pom-pom. You’ll need about 1/8 of a yard of fleece–it can be scraps.  You could scale this down for a smaller dog.



Here are patterns for a fleece cube or triangle made by tying the pieces of fringe together.  The amount of fleece you need depends on what size toy you want.  You’ll also need some fiberfill or scraps for stuffing.






The last one is a tug toy made from yarn twine. You’ll need about 14 yards of yarn and about 34 yards of cotton or polyester twine.  It seems you could also use thicker line or rope.


Pet Food Recall: Kroger Recalls Cat, Kitten & Dog Foods

Kroger is recalling numerous pet foods because of possible aflatoxin contamination.

  • Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
  • Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
  • Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
  • Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
  • Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
  • Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
  • Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
  • Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
  • Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
  • Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:111100010


The recall includes product from Kroger stores in:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia

Also affected are:
  • Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas & Missouri
  • Baker’s stores in Nebraska
  • Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois & Indiana
  • Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois & Indiana



Human Medication Hazards for Pets

At this time of year when you’re likely to have guests in your home or to be a guest in someone else’s home and there’s lots of hustle and bustle, it’s important that everyone is careful about pets getting access to human medications.  A dropped pill or one left on the counter can be fatal.  The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association has a useful list of the top 10 human medications most frequently consumed by pets and how they’re affected by them.

It also includes these smart tips on how you and your guests can keep your pets safe.

  • Never leave loose pills in a plastic Ziploc® bag – the bags are too easy to chew into. Make sure visiting house guests do the same, keeping their medications high up or out of reach.
  • If you place your medication in a weekly pill container, make sure to store the container in a cabinet out of reach of your pets. Unfortunately, if they get a hold of it, some pets might consider the pill container a plastic chew toy.
  • Never store your medications near your pet’s medications – Pet Poison Helpline frequently receives calls from concerned pet owners who inadvertently give their own medication to their pet.
  • Hang your purse up. Inquisitive pets will explore the contents of your bag and simply placing your purse up and out of reach can help to avoid exposure to any potentially dangerous medication(s).
  • Update: Carrie on Facebook gave the excellent advice to do a room check of your hotel room if you’re staying with your dog.  Other guests may have dropped medication before your stay.

If your pet does ingest any human medication call The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 1-(888)-426-4435 and you veterinarian.