Low or no cost items that make caring for SVs easier

[DocMac]

We definitely mess around with the boxes, cutting holes in them taping multiples together and lots of little windows big enough for a paw to get through. Doesn't take all that long for them to get shredded, but there are always new ones showing up.

Also, I think there can be a lot more to this than just toys although I'm struggling to think of other things we created. When I say we, I actually mean my wife as she has the idea and I provide the labor.

Great project with grandchildren for the weekend!

 

[DocMac]

I use a lot of different dyes, both natural and chemical. In natural dyes, the mordant is toxic (pretreatment). Dyes can differ greatly in composition and toxicity. I would question any dyed products made in China, since they seem to care little about health issues with people, let alone pets. Several US companies make "green" dyes that are safe to pour out on the ground and are used in baby toys and clothing. One of the most colorfast and fade-resistant dyes I've used is Kool Aid and we know how much if that stuff is ingested by kids. When I used to do demos in schools, we dyed with Kool Aid and I asked the kids if they thought their tummies were purple! Just buy quality toys and you should have no problems...just think human baby quality.

 

[DocMac]

I posted that comment in the wrong thread, Paige! Sorry.

 

[John Popp]

Great project with grandchildren for the weekend!

Yeah it can be great fun as Trish will often get out some sharpies and draw flower boxes under little windows, some trees and a grass line across the bottom with prancing kittens. Next time she makes a good one I'll post some pics. Unfortunately they only last about a week before they become unsightly and pretty shredded.

 

[DocMac]

Decoration is equal to challenge here. Very artistic grandchildren we have.

 

[Sunny]

• Bed/rug mouse (your hands, feet, etc)
• Boot laces (longer the better)
• Large bottle cap (hockey, anyone?)
• Ice cubes
• Playing chase (two story-three story)
• Hide and seek
• Soft rubber balls + bathtub
• Windows (let daylight in, let cats see out)
• Bird feeders, hummingbird and bird seed, not suspended, but mounted high on a thin pole to make getting to impossible by squirrels (think head high)
• Anything at all cardboard, supermarkets can do a ton of recycling that provide you a way of building things outside of your own packages
• Da Bird (not imitations), it's cheap enough just watch out for those flying leaps, they are tracking it intentlty and if you happen to be in the travel path look out
• Another SV, I mean come on, over the lifetime, you can't put a price on having two