We are at a time of great economic uncertainty and you might be looking to save a dime or two. In this article, we will explore some of the many options you might have laying around your house that will make your dog really happy to have as a toy. This way you can save some of your hard earned money and not have to spend it at the pet store.

I will mention several things that could potentially be dangerous to your dog if not monitored; just like any pet toy some of these can end up hurting your canine companion. Any homemade toy, or one from the pet store, can become dangerous if your dog is able to swallow small pieces of it, puncture it or swallow it.

Any time that you give your dog a new toy, whether bought at the store or homemade, you should watch them carefully to make sure they do not try and eat it. Ingesting any toy can be extremely dangerous to your dog because it can become an obstruction in their GI tract.

Every dog deserves a little fun and excitement in their life. Make sure that they have plenty of entertainment and they will likely be less destructive and more loyal to you.

Many kennels take advantage of empty plastic water bottles as toys for canines. Give one to your pup and watch him/her toss it around to themselves and chew on it a bit. Make sure that you are careful and no sharp edges develop; also they should be replaced often.

Flashlights and laser pointers make great toys for some nighttime fun and games. Shine one of them on the ground and allow them to chase it around. By the way, this can be almost as much fun for you as it is for them!

You might have tried this one before. Find a good solid stick to play fetch with. The size and shape should be determined by the individual pet.

Most people have a frisbee laying around somewhere in their house. Grab one and teach your dog to play fetch with it. This can be so much fun!

If your child has grown out of their stuffed animals then pass them down to your dog. Make sure that you remove any parts that might be dangerous such as plastic eyes, tails and ears.

Some old rope can be turned into a great toy. Tie one, or several, together into a really secure knot. You really need to be sure that is is well tied and cannot be unraveled because otherwise it could be very dangerous to them.

An old shoe can also be a really great toy but make sure your dog knows the difference between this one and your good ones. You might want to hide your good shoes for awhile to make sure they do not turn into toys, as well.

Have any old tires laying around? Use a say to cut off a chunk and give it to your dog to play with. Make sure that it is not the part of the tire that is steel belted.

My stepmom taught this one. Her smaller dogs love to play with bubbles. Blow some in the air and watch them try to nip at them. This can be so much fun!