How to make a cozy dog bed
Has your dog’s sleeping area been looking a bit chewy and scruffy lately? Sure, you can go out and buy a new bedding, but why not try making your own? A DIY dog bed is a great way to show your beloved pet how much you love them and save some money in the process. Designing the perfect bed for the perfect dog is a great way to get creative and give new life to old items, from broken furniture to worn t-shirts.
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Gotta work as a designer
Dogs come in all sizes, so start by measuring your dog’s old bed to see how much space he needs to be completely comfortable. You can carefully study your pet’s favorite postures during sleep and rest. Do you have a giant husky that sleeps curled up in a ball? He might like a more comfortable lair. Does your beagle like to stretch out to its full length? He may need a bigger pillow than you thought.
The simplest DIY dog bed is a huge pillow that can be made by cutting out two large rectangles of fabric and sewing them together on three sides. One or two old fleece blankets can be recycled to make a great pillow. Before sewing up the fourth side of the bed, choose padding that is safe and comfortable for your pet.
Stuffing options for a homemade couch
The choice of filler is very important for the comfort of the pet. There are many options, but before making a decision, it is necessary to study the ease of cleaning, joint and mobility problems in the future occupant of the couch, as well as the dog’s tendency to chew or dig.
Five great filling options:
- Fiber fill is an inexpensive and soft option. In operation, it is compacted and poorly erased, so over time it will have to be updated.
- Memory foam can be a great choice for a dog that suffers from arthritis or likes to sleep on hard surfaces. Thin and bony animals, such as greyhounds, may need a thicker layer of padding to keep their joints comfortable.
- Aromatic sawdust can absorb bad smells, but if your pet suddenly decides to chew on their new bed, it can lead to a big mess. It is better to supplement such a bed with a sufficiently strong fabric for the cover so that the sawdust does not pierce it and does not create inconvenience for the dog during sleep.
- Old towels, T-shirts, sheets and blankets make great fillers when torn into strips. You’ll save money and reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfill – a win-win for everyone.
- For a pillow, you can take the simplest filler that is easy to clean. Just like humans, dogs may prefer certain types of pillows, so keep experimenting until you find the best one for your pet.
Bed options for small dogs that do not require sewing
You can easily turn an old sweatshirt into a donut bed for a small dog or make a sweater bed. To make this underlay, first separate the sleeves from the base by gluing the armholes on the inside with hot glue. Then tuck the pillow inside closer to the chest area. After that, tie tightly with a simple cord at the neck and waist and stuff the long rectangles of the sleeves with fiber filling. Finally, wrap the stuffed sleeves around the pillow base and use hot glue or regular glue to hold them together in a donut shape.
A simple wooden crate, which you can pick up at the supermarket or buy at any craft store, is also the perfect nest for small dogs. Carefully remove the boards from one of the long sides and sand the uneven edges. Color the box and decorate it with a dog name or a fun pattern. Then place a soft, folded blanket or pillow in it. It is also recommended to attach furniture leg pads to the bottom corners so that the drawer does not scratch the floor. Be sure to check that the paint, embellishments, and lining are non-toxic to pets and difficult to chew or swallow.
Beds for large dogs: new life for old furniture
Do you have an old chest of drawers that takes up space in the attic or basement? DIY artists offer to give it a new life by making a resting place for the dog! First take out all the drawers and cut out the chest of drawers front panel. Remove any sharp nails, hardware, pieces of plastic or wood from the inside.
Sand and paint the chest of drawers any color you like. Attach brackets to the front for a small curtain rod and hang a floor-length curtain. Put a soft pillow inside – the perfect “cave” for the dog, in which he can hide if he wants a little silence, is ready. The top of the house can be used as a table.
Still feeling the rush of creativity? Consider making homemade toys for your dog or creating a similar sleeping area for your cat. Get a little creative and your pets will sleep happily on a unique bed that you have created with love.