Easy Ideas for a Homemade Pet Bed

Americans love their pets! According to a 2009 study conducted by the Human Society, over 30% of all Americans own at least one pet, and most of us enjoy spoiling our little ones more than we should. If you fit into the category of 'Pet Lover', you can use these ideas to make a homemade pet bed for you pet to lounge in during the day. Here we'll give you easy ideas for a homemade pet bed that are all easy to make and nice and comfy for your pet.

Suitcase pet bed

A suitcase pet bed is EASY to make and nice and comfortable your small pet. This idea is great for a cat or small dog and is a nice way to recycle that old suitcase you have stored up in the attic. Materials needed to make a suitcase pet bed include:

- An old hard-shell suitcase
- Standard size pillow
- Pillow case
- Blanket

STEP 1 - To make a suitcase pet bed, simply remove the hinges to separate the top from the bottom. Old suitcases may prove difficult to separate, but with a little persistence (and a flat-head screwdriver) you should be able to pull them apart with little problem. Once the suitcase is apart, you'll have two hard shells that can be used to make two homemade pet beds with.

STEP 2 - Cover a pillow with a pillowcase and place it inside the suitcase pet bed. Deeper suitcases may require more than one pillow.

STEP 3 - Cover the pillow with a comfortable blanket and tuck the sides beneath the pillow.

Pillow sham pet bed

This is a VERY EASY way to make a homemade pet bed. Use an old pillow sham, or shams, to create a custom-fit spot for your dog or cat. All you'll need for this project is:

- Pillow sham(s)
- Cotton batting
- Needle and thread

STEP 1 - To make a homemade pet bed with an old pillow sham, simply fill the sham with soft cotton batting. This material is available in virtually any store where the craft or sewing supplies are sold.

STEP 2 - Once you have the pillow sham filled, sew the back of the sham together with needle and thread.

STEP 3 - If you have a large pet, several pillow shams can be filled and sewn and then sewn together at the seams. This way, you can customize the size of your homemade pet bed to your pet's size.

Dresser drawer pet bed

In chilly weather, pets like to curl up in small spaces that will help keep them cozy and warm. A recycled dresser drawer is the perfect material for making a homemade pet bed, and it will give your pet a space that is durable and easy to clean. If you don't have an old dresser at home that you can use, look for one at a yard sale. Some people will even abandon an old dresser on the side of the road on the night before trash pick up! The only materials you'll need to make this type of homemade pet bed include:

- An old dresser drawer
- Shelf liner paper
- Pillow
- Pillowcase
- Blanket(s)
- Optional supplies include sandpaper, spray paint, paint and paint brushes

STEP 1 - Clean out the dresser drawer and line it with shelf paper. This will give you an easy-to-clean surface that will make wiping out pet hair a breeze.

STEP 2 - Cover a pillow (or pillows) with a pillowcase.

STEP 3 - Place a nice comfy blanket inside your homemade pet bed.

OPTIONAL STEPS - If you are a crafty person, you can really dress up the homemade pet bed by sanding down the drawer and repainting it with spray paint. Then, personalize it by adding your pet's name with paint and a paintbrush.

Laundry basket pet bed

How many times have you caught your cat lounging in your laundry basket? Cats LOVE small spaces, and a laundry basket makes a great pet bed for our feline friends. There is absolutely no skill required to make this homemade pet bed. Simply cover a pillow with a pillow case or pillow sham, and top it with a soft blanket. Your cat will love his new bed and you'll love how easy it is to keep clean! Just wash the linens and wipe the basket down when it needs cleaned.

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SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html