How to Make Fleece Balls for Dogs

Many dogs enjoy playing with soft, squishy toys like fleece balls.

Playing with a toy helps dogs release pent-up mental and physical energy. It also provides them with exercise and builds a bond between the pet and its owner when they play together. (See Reference.) Fleece balls can provide hours of enjoyment for you and your dog, but they tend to be expensive when purchased at discount or pet stores. The fleece balls are not very durable since the dog bites down on them. Some fleece balls have stuffing inside them and this causes them to wear out rapidly once a hole is punctured in the fleece. It also leaves a mess in your home. Making your own fleece balls takes little time or effort.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Fleece (at least 7 by 60 inches)

Instructions

1. Cut the cardboard so it is approximately three by six inches.

2. Lay the piece of fleece onto your work surface. Cut the fleece into six strips. They need to be approximately one inch wide by 60 inches long. Cut another strip that is one by six inches long. This is useful in tying the ball.

3. Wrap the fleece strips loosely around the narrow portion of the cardboard. Keeping them loose prevents the fleece from stretching out of shape.

4. Start the next piece of fleece where the first one ends and repeat the method until all the strips are wrapped around the cardboard. (This is similar to making a pom-pom out of yarn.)

5. Slide the strips carefully off the cardboard.

6. Insert the one by six inch strip into the space created by the cardboard. Pull the strip even on each side and tie it in a simple knot as tightly as possible without breaking the fleece.

7. Trim the ends of the short strip so that they are near the ball.

8. Fluff the ball and cut through each loop. This creates a shaggy, pom-pom ball out of fleece for your canine friend.

Tips & Warnings

• Trim the loops' ends if you desire a ball with a denser, smaller diameter.

• Use different colors of fleece if you want a multicolored toy for your pet.

• Make the ball large enough so that your dog cannot swallow it accidentally.

References

• The Humane Society of the United States; Dog Toys; November 2009