10 Everyday Items You Can Repurpose as Pet Supplies (For Dogs and Cats)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any type of cardboard box for cat enrichment?

Yes, most cardboard boxes are suitable for cat enrichment, but ensure they are clean and free of staples or sharp edges.

How can I ensure that the muffin tin puzzle feeder is safe for my dog?

Always supervise your dog while using the muffin tin, and ensure there are no small parts or loose items that could pose a choking hazard.

What should I avoid when using old t-shirts for calming items?

Make sure the t-shirts are clean and free from any small buttons or decorations that could be a choking hazard.

How long will my pets stay occupied with the ice cube tray enrichment?

Pets can stay engaged for 20-40 minutes, depending on their interest and the complexity of the contents.

Is it safe to use any type of food for the frozen enrichment in ice cube trays?

No, avoid using foods that contain onion, garlic, or xylitol, as these are toxic to pets; always check the labels before use.

By Jarrod Gravison • Updated April 28, 2026 • 7 min read

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Most apartment households have items that can serve as functional pet supplies with zero additional cost. Here are 10 practical repurposing ideas.

What About Muffin Tin + Tennis Balls = Puzzle Feeder?

Scatter kibble in a muffin tin, cover each cup with a tennis ball. Dogs must remove balls to access food. One of the most effective DIY enrichment options. Zero cost if you already own a muffin tin and tennis balls. See our DIY enrichment guide.

According to the AKC, mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise for preventing destructive behavior in apartment dogs. A puzzle feeder converts mealtime from a 30-second inhale into a 10–15 minute problem-solving session. For dogs that eat too fast (a common cause of bloat in large breeds), the muffin tin method slows consumption without requiring any special purchase. Rotate ball placement each meal to keep the challenge level appropriate for your dog’s growing puzzle-solving skills.

What About Old T-Shirts = Calming Scent Items?

A worn t-shirt placed in your dog’s crate or bed provides a familiar scent that reduces separation anxiety. For moving or travel, bringing a worn t-shirt provides comfort to cats and dogs in unfamiliar environments. Replaces $15–$30 commercial calming items.

The ASPCA recommends scent-based comfort items as a first-line approach for separation anxiety before considering medications or specialized products. Your worn T-shirt contains your cortisol, skin bacteria, and personal scent profile — far more complex and comforting than any commercial “calming” spray. In 2026, this technique is regularly used by shelter organizations and rescue groups to help newly adopted dogs transition to a new apartment environment. Simply place the shirt in the dog’s bed or crate before you leave.

What About Cardboard Boxes = Cat Enrichment?

Open, cut holes in, arrange in mazes. Most cats explore boxes for 24–48 hours before losing interest. Rotate boxes from deliveries weekly for fresh novelty. Replaces $20–$40 tunnel toys.

Indoor cats that lack environmental complexity are significantly more likely to develop stress-related conditions including over-grooming, inappropriate elimination, and aggression, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center. Cardboard boxes provide three forms of enrichment simultaneously: a hiding spot (security), an elevated vantage point when stacked (territory), and a scratchable surface (claw maintenance). Cut holes in different sides for multi-entry exploration, or tape several together to create a small tunnel system. Refresh every few weeks — the novelty of a new box is itself enriching.

What About Ice Cube Trays = Frozen Enrichment Molds?

Fill with wet food, plain yogurt, peanut butter (xylitol-free), or meat broth. Freeze overnight. Remove and serve as enrichment treats. Provides 5–15 minutes of licking engagement. Replaces $15–$25 commercial lick molds.

Frozen enrichment is particularly effective for apartment pets during summer months (see our summer heat safety guide) because the licking action is naturally soothing and the cold content helps with thermoregulation. PetMD recommends low-sodium chicken broth or plain water with a piece of kibble frozen inside as a starting point. For cats, tuna water (from canned tuna packed in water, not oil) is a high-value option. Avoid xylitol, grapes, onion, or garlic in any frozen treat.

What About Baby Food (No Onion/Garlic) = High-Value Training Treats?

Plain chicken or turkey baby food (verify no onion or garlic in ingredients) makes an excellent high-value training treat for finicky dogs. A small dab on a spoon works as a lick reward. Inexpensive, highly motivating.

High-value training treats are essential for teaching reliable recall and complex behaviors — behaviors that matter for apartment safety (coming when called, not bolting through open doors). According to the AKC’s training resources, the treat must be worth more than whatever the dog is currently doing. Plain-meat baby food (chicken, turkey, beef — always check the label for onion powder, garlic powder, or xylitol) delivers that high-value motivation in a form that can be dispensed from a finger, spoon, or silicone squeeze tube.

What About Pillowcase = Laundry Bag for Pet Bedding?

Wash pet bedding inside an old pillowcase to prevent pet hair from clogging your washing machine drum and lint filter. Cheaper than commercial pet bedding laundry bags. Important for maintaining appliance function in pet-heavy households.

Pet bedding is a primary source of allergen buildup in apartments — dander, dust mites, and outdoor debris accumulate quickly in fabric. The ASPCA recommends washing pet bedding weekly in hot water to control allergens and reduce flea egg survival. A pillowcase drawstring bag protects your washing machine’s drum from zipper damage and keeps loose stuffing contained. For large orthopedic beds that won’t fit in a home machine, the pillowcase technique works equally well at a laundromat’s large-capacity commercial washers.

What About Shower Squeegee = Pet Hair Remover?

Run a rubber squeegee across carpet or upholstery to gather embedded pet hair into a removable strip. More effective than vacuum alone for deeply embedded hair. Works especially well on carpet stairs and upholstered furniture. Free if you have one already.

Pet hair removal before vacuuming prevents clogged filters and extends vacuum motor life — a practical benefit for apartment renters whose deposits may include carpet cleaning fees. According to multiple grooming professionals, a rubber squeegee drags hair up into clumps that vacuum cleaners can then easily collect, rather than spreading it further into the carpet pile. Run the squeegee in parallel strokes before vacuuming for best results. This technique also works on upholstered furniture and car seats.

8. Paper Grocery Bags = Cat Crinkle Toy

Open a paper bag on the floor (handles removed). Most cats investigate and play in it repeatedly. The crinkle sound engages the hunting drive. Free from every grocery trip.

Sound-based enrichment is an underutilized category for apartment cats. The crinkle sound of a paper bag activates hunting instincts — cats will stalk, pounce, and investigate the sound repeatedly. Cornell University’s feline behavior research confirms that cats benefit from daily prey-simulation play to prevent the boredom-related stress behaviors common in indoor-only environments. Always remove handles from paper bags before use to eliminate the strangulation risk. Supervise initial use and replace the bag when it begins to tear, as ingested paper can cause intestinal blockage.

9. Bath Mat = DIY Lick Mat or Paw Wipe Station

A rubber-backed bath mat placed inside the door catches dirt and moisture from dog paws before they track through the apartment. Or cut into strips, thread with fabric strips, to create a snuffle mat. Replaces $20–$35 commercial lick/snuffle mats.

Lick mats have become one of the most recommended enrichment tools by veterinary behaviorists in 2026 because the sustained licking action releases calming endorphins. Commercial lick mats run $15–$30, but a textured rubber bath mat (the kind with suction cups) achieves the same result when smeared with peanut butter (xylitol-free), plain Greek yogurt, or wet food. The paw wipe station function is equally practical: place it just inside the front door with a damp cloth nearby, and build a post-walk paw-check routine that your dog learns to expect.

10. Toilet Paper Rolls = Disposable Puzzle Feeders

Fold the ends of a toilet paper tube, add kibble, punch holes in the side. Cats and dogs bat and roll to dispense food. Completely free, infinite supply from household recycling.

ASPCA enrichment ideas AKC DIY dog toys