| Every dog deserves a bed, but not every dog owner | | | | What kinds of materials will you use? |
| can afford to buy one. If you're in that situation, | | | | - Sources of materials in thrift stores include old |
| perhaps these homemade dog bed ideas will be | | | | quilts, pillows and sleeping bags as well as upholstery |
| helpful. | | | | or curtain fabric that can be used to cover foam |
| There are several things to keep in mind when you're | | | | pillows. Talk to the folks at an upholstery shop and |
| thinking about making a bed for your dog: | | | | see if they have inexpensive remnant pieces of foam |
| | | | in the size you want. |
| 1. Where will the dog use the bed? | | | | - Old couch cushions are another wonderful source |
| 2. What type of climate do you live in? | | | | for dog beds. In fact, you can make a bed for a |
| 3. How big is your dog? | | | | medium sized dog from just two old cushions (see |
| 4. What kinds of materials do you have access to | | | | DIY Free Dog Bed link at bottom). |
| and plan to use? | | | | - You can also simply use an old daybed, sofa, or |
| 5. How thick would you like the bed to be? | | | | love seat and not have to do anything except throw |
| 6. How soon does your dog need a bed? | | | | a sheet or quilt over it. (That worked at night with |
| Where will your dog use the bed? | | | | our German Shepherd mix, Comet, when we traveled |
| Indoor beds can be found inside dog crates, in | | | | in the RV, and he now chooses it as his prerogative |
| corners, in various locations in rooms throughout a | | | | when we leave him home alone!) |
| house, or inside vehicles. Consider where you will | | | | - Or you can use the frame from a couch/daybed |
| want to put it before you start. With careful planning | | | | sofa to create the base for a bed. |
| and measuring, you can create a bed that is shaped | | | | - Another possibility that would require quite a bit of |
| to fit neatly in a corner of a room out of the way. | | | | cutting would be to take layers of old carpet or |
| See the Dog Bed Patterns link at the end of this | | | | carpet padding and stack them on top of one |
| article for ideas for shapes. | | | | another, perhaps wrapped in a sheet or quilt. |
| Outdoor beds can be located inside a dog kennel, a | | | | - For an outside cot, put together a frame from |
| dog run, or consist of a cot that places the dog | | | | Schedule 40 PVC and then attach canvas or some |
| above the ground and that can be placed anywhere | | | | other strong material using grommets or several lines |
| in the yard. | | | | of sewing with heavy duty thread. |
| What type of climate do you live in? | | | | How thick will your dog bed need to be? |
| If you have cold winters, you may want to consider | | | | For a dog that is older with some aches and pains, a |
| a thicker bed than if you are in a warmer climate. | | | | thicker bed will be more desirable. In fact, at least 7 |
| Remember that a dog will be lying close the floor | | | | inches of non-compressible foam is recommended for |
| which will be the coldest layer in a house. | | | | an orthopedic dog bed. That would equal close to |
| If you live in a warmer place where fleas are a | | | | two average couch cushions in height. To test a |
| problem, you may consider building a dog bed out of | | | | piece of foam for compressibility, pinch it between |
| PVC that is then covered with canvas or mesh. You | | | | your thumb and forefinger. |
| can also take out the upholstery from an old | | | | How soon does your dog need a bed? |
| loveseat and use that for the frame. | | | | If you have unexpectedly acquired a dog (this seems |
| How big will the bed need to be? | | | | to happen quite regularly), you can simply take an old |
| A larger dog bed will require more materials than a | | | | quilt and fold it into a size that fits. An old foam piece |
| smaller one - the chief reason that they cost so | | | | that is big enough can be sandwiched in between the |
| much more to buy. However, thrift stores, old | | | | layers for a more cushioned effect, or use old carpet |
| couches and mattresses can yield large quantities of | | | | or carpet padding, sleeping bags or towels for the |
| free or low-cost materials. Then it's simply a matter | | | | same purpose. A discarded sheet can be placed over |
| of making sure the bed will be big enough for your | | | | the top and it can be shaken out daily and washed |
| dog and fit in the space you plan to put it in. It's best | | | | occasionally until you can create a more permanent |
| to measure your dog while he/she is lying down fully | | | | bed. This type of pad works well inside a vehicle or |
| stretched out as well as curled up. A bed that's a little | | | | dog crate too. |
| too big will be preferable to one that's too small. | | | | Well, here's hoping these homemade dog bed ideas |
| (Your dog may not mind but you'll probably feel bad | | | | will be of use to you so that your dog can have all |
| if the fit isn't right). | | | | the comforts of home. |