5 Everyday Household Items I Use for My Dogs

You don’t need a house full of expensive dog toys and gadgets to keep your dogs happy.

Ask me how I know…I have multiple dogs, and sometimes they will absolutely ignore a brand-new toy in favor of literal trash. 🙃 Plus have you seen the price of some of these dog toys? My wallet can’t handle it.

Over time, I’ve realized some of the most useful dog enrichment tools I use aren’t even dog products. They’re just everyday household items I already have lying around the house. So, If you’re looking for simple, affordable ways to care for your dogs, here are five everyday household items I use for my dogs all the time.

1. Muffin Tins for Easy Dog Enrichment Games

This first one surprises people, but muffin tins work incredibly well.

A basic muffin tin can become a quick dog enrichment activity:

• Add treats or kibble to the cups

  • Cover some with tennis balls

  • Let your dog figure it out

• Make licking mats with muffin tins

  • Put different treats or food in each compartment

  • Freeze so your dogs will lick and enjoy the variety of textures

This slows down fast eaters and adds mental stimulation without buying a special feeder.

👉 I actually show exactly how I use a muffin tin for dog enrichment in the video below:

Why this works:

It turns mealtime into a brain game and slows down their eating using something most people already have in their kitchen.

2. Cardboard Boxes for DIY Dog Enrichment

Before you recycle that box, your dog might want it.

Cardboard boxes are one of the easiest ways to add mental stimulation for dogs:

• Hide treats inside for a sniffing game

• Nest smaller boxes inside a bigger one (put treats in each layer)

• Let your dog shred it (supervised, of course)

It’s simple, free, and surprisingly effective. My front entry looks like a trash zone because there are always boxes piled up ready for play. In the video below you can see a card being used in conjunction with recycled toilet paper rolls as an easy dog enrichment.

Why this works:

Sniffing and problem-solving are natural behaviors for dogs, and cardboard boxes provide enrichment without buying anything new.

3. Silicone Ice Cube Trays for Frozen Dog Treats

Silicone ice cube trays aren’t just for humans.

• I use them all the time for:

• Freezing bone broth into portions

• Making frozen dog treats

Portioning food toppers before popping them into the freezer

They’re especially helpful in warmer weather or for dogs who eat too fast.

Why this works:

Reusable trays reduce waste and make it easy to create quick enrichment for dogs with almost no prep.

4. Blankets (More Versatile Than Most Dog Beds)

I own dog beds. My dogs sometimes still choose blankets. They will literally drag a blanket across the room to make a little nest for themselves. Yes, it is super cute.

Blankets get used for:

• Cozy nap spots

• Covering furniture

• Crate comfort

• Snuggly car rides

They’re easy to wash, easy to move, and easy to replace when they get gross (because dogs).

Why this works:

One blanket can serve multiple purposes, making it a simple and flexible option for everyday dog comfort.

5. Old Towels (A Dog Owner Must-Have)

If you live with dogs, you need towels. Not nice towels. Dog towels.

I keep a stack of old towels specifically for my dogs, and they get used constantly for:

• Drying muddy paws

• Wiping wet bellies

• Cleaning up messes

• Lining crates or car seats

• Wraping some treats up in it for an easy enrichment

They aren’t pretty, but they do the job, and I don’t panic when one gets destroyed.

Here’s a quick video of how the towel enrichment looks if you are interested. I do different levels of difficulty for each of my dogs. Zelda’s patience wanes quickly, so I just roll the treat up in a towel for her, but Stormy will do ANYTHING for a treat, so she gets her towel knotted up making it more difficult.

Why this works:

Using old towels for dogs saves money, reduces waste, and makes daily cleanup way easier. I think I say “Go grab a dog towel” to my kids multiple times a week, and they know exactly what I mean.

You don’t need more dog stuff! You just need smarter use of what you have.

Dogs don’t care if something came from a pet store or your house.

They care if it’s interesting, comfortable, and engaging.

Using everyday household items for dogs:

• Saves money

• Reduces waste

• Keeps enrichment simple and realistic

If you’re trying to do more for your dogs without buying more stuff, this is a great place to start.

(Just don’t be late with dinner. THAT they will notice.)

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