How to Make a Pet Bed
Pets, like humans, prefer a soft comfortable place to sleep. Older pets especially like soft beds, to rest their aching bones and joints. The cushy pet beds in the pet departments look nice, but they can be rather pricey. Don't despair; you can make a bed for your faithful companion using an old couch or chair cushion or an old baby mattress; and it doesn't even require any sewing abilities.
Things You'll Need
- Old couch or chair cushion or a baby bed mattress
- Utility blade or large knife (optional)
- Protective pad to fit a baby bed mattress or plastic sheeting
- Old sheets, blankets or fitted baby bed sheets
- Sheet smoothers
- Old rug
- Fabric refreshing spray
- Flea spray for furniture
Instructions
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How to Make a Pet Bed
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1
Determine how large a bed you will need to fit your pet. If Spot is a small Yorkie, then an old chair cushion will work. However, if Sunshine is a Husky, then you will need an old baby bed mattress or couch cushion. One way to figure out how big a pet bed you will need is to see which piece of furniture your pet prefers to sleep on; if they are allowed on the furniture, that is.
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2
Plan out where the pet bed is going to be placed; this will determine whether or not it needs to be trimmed down. Put the old cushion or mattress on the floor for several days. See if it gets in the way when you are walking past it. If you need to trim it down, use a utility blade or large knife to cut off excess.
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3
Place the protective pad over the cushion. If you don’t have a protective pad, use a plastic sheet or even a shower curtain liner. This is to protect the cushion or mattress from moisture, odors or any vermin that might be living on your pet. Secure the pad with sheet smoothers, to help it stay in place.
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Place the old sheet, blanket or fitted baby bed sheet on top of the protective pad. If you used a plastic sheet or shower curtain liner, you should use two sheets or blankets on top; this will help prevent your pet from sweating due to lying on plastic. Secure the sheet(s) with sheet smoothers; these can be purchased at bedding stores.
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Place an old rug on the floor where the pet bed will be located. This will protect your floor from the metal in the sheet smoothers.
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Introduce your pet to his new bed. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t take to it right away; he might not like walking across something that gives under his feet. Encourage him with praise, petting and even treats until he is accustomed to it. Be patient, as this might take several days or even weeks.
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Switch out the sheets or blankets and protective pad about once a week and wash them, to help keep the flea and tick problem under control. While the bedding is being laundered, spray the cushion with a fabric refreshing spray. Occasionally spray the cushion with a flea spray made especially for furniture.
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Tips & Warnings
If the upholstery is torn on the couch or chair cushion, then throw it away; some pets will be tempted to chew on it.
Flat sheets or blankets work well too, as long the sheet is long enough to fold under the cushion or mattress.
Some baby bed mattresses already have a protective liner on them.
Don’t use safety pins instead of the sheet smoothers, as a safety pin could be harmful to your pet should she decides to chew on her new bed.
