If you’ve just brought home a new puppy, you’re probably anxious to set up your home to accommodate the new member of your family. If you want to personalize your dog’s new sleeping quarters and you like making things, you might want to try your hand at a DIY dog bed. This is actually much easier than you might think, and you’ll save some money along the way.
The first thing you’ll need to do is find an old pillowcase that you’re no longer using. Fill it with fiberfill, which you can buy at any fabric or craft store, and fill it as full as you think will make your dog comfortable. As a rule, bigger dogs will require a firmer mattress, which means you’ll need to stuff more filling into it. Alternatives to fiberfill that you might prefer include shredded newspaper, cedar chips, or the kind of shavings used as pet rodent bedding.
Next you’ll need to seal the open end of the pillowcase. You can use liquid thread or a similar type of fabric adhesive that you can find at craft or sewing stores. When the bed gets soiled, all you have to do is cut the pillowcase open, remove the filling, and wash the case. Then stuff it with fresh filling and seal it up again.
For a fancier DIY dog bed, get a nice piece of fabric and cut it to the size that you want. Glue the top and bottom together, and leaving a gap along one side so you can stuff it. Use the same technique for stuffing as above. You may want to get some velvet, suede or other plush fabric that will be soft and comfortable for your puppy to sleep on. You can also use fabric paint on the pillowcase to decorate or personalize the bed. Your dog will sleep in comfort and style!
