How do I make my own dog bed?
When it comes to items for your pets, it is always
nice if you can afford to get something created by the professionals. A
makeshift dog toy is not as likely to be as safe and durable as a dog toy
you purchased online, just as dog food is better for your dog when it is
store bought than when it is made from scratch.
The same holds true with dog beds. Dog beds are
generally going to be the most comfortable for your pet, and designed in
such a way that it will be able to withstand a great deal of abuse. But if
you do not have the finances to get a dog bed, or you are looking for a way
to be creative, it may behoove you to create one yourself. Below are some
simple instructions for creating a dog bed using materials you have in your
home.
Building a Dog Bed at Home
1.
Find Your Dog’s Size
Dog beds need to be a good fit for your dog, the
first thing you should do is measure your dog from nose to the end of the
tail in order to get a decent approximation of the minimum length of the
bed. Also measure your dog from bottom of the foot to the top of its head.
Then you will want to add somewhere between 5 and 10 inches to all sides to
account for movement and various sleeping styles for your dog. More is
better, but more will also take up more space and you may not have the
fabric, so feel free and make a judgment call.
2.
Cut Out Measurements Two Old Blankets
The next thing you will want to do is cut out the
size you measured (length x height) out of two old blankets. Make sure they
are measured perfectly and check over and over again before you cut.
3.
Sew 3 Sides
The next thing you will want to do is sew 3 of the
sides together, trying to get them as close to air tight as possible. You
may want to sew them twice, just to make sure, since dogs chewing can easily
rip a little bit of string, causing the thing to unravel.
4.
Fill a Little or a Lot
Your next step is to fill the sewn blankets with
some type of stuffing. Make sure the stuffing is something that is safe for
dogs. Standard pillow stuffing can work fairly well, but there are other
types of dog safe stuffing that are made for dog beds. You can use old
pillows as well to be less wasteful. Dogs are not going to care that the
stuffing has been deflated over time by your drool.
5.
Sew the Final Edge
Finally, sew up the edge of the blankets so that
the entire dog bed is sealed shut. By doing so, you should be able to keep
all of the stuffing into the new blanket fairly easily.
Once you’re done, train your dog to sleep on its
new bed and you’ll be all set. You will have created a great dog bed that
your dog is sure to appreciate.
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