DIYs for Your Favorite Pet!
DYK that cat people and dog people have distinctive personality traits? In fact, Thought Catalog lists 17 of them and if you own a pet – it’s fun to look for (and find!) yourself on the list. But whichever animal is your favorite, here’s a catalog of ways to show it! We found more than a dozen pet DIYs that you can build, sew, create and fashion for your fur baby. From cat shelves and cat trees, to doggie burrow beds and more toys than you can get a retriever to fetch – here are just a few ways you can make life better for the family pet.
DIY Dog Beds, Houses and Ramps
Dogs like caves – safe spaces that can become a refuge. And they like caves better than cages – at least we think they do, because well, wouldn’t you?!
Take a look at this Instagram post from HGTV – it’s a cave, feeding station and playroom for Brutus, all in one.
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We’ve seen a few end tables converted into cave-like sleeping quarters for dogs, but none like this converted TV console! You can flea-market-flip one, or you can break out the construction lumber and rebar and craft something like this attractive dog crate by Popo’s Woodworks!
This might be our favorite project for dogs that are height-challenged – a DIY dog ramp that makes it easy for man’s best friend to ascend to the heights of a tall bed! This easy-peasy project takes four crates turned this way and that and glued together. The ramp is secured to the uppermost crate and covered with a rug – tacked to the wood – so Fido can climb the ramp without sliding off. Thanks, clever Chris Corona at HGTV!
DIY Cat Shelves, Trees, Lounges
Depending on the amount of space you want to devote to your feline friend, there are some broad and expansive options, i.e., the cat tree (decorated with lights at night!), or space-saving cat shelves. Blogger Lizzie at The Hip Soiree found shelves at IKEA and her live-in DIYer cut them down and attached Flor carpeting with double-sided tape for great traction. Lizzie has two cats and they take turns being top cat on the uppermost shelf!
This high-flying cat condo is made with PVC pipe covered with rope, plus three wicker baskets hung on the pipe with angled brackets. You don’t need to have super serious DIY skills, just patience and a corner to put the condo! The rope makes a great cat scratching pole, and kitty has his or her choice of landings. From the brain of Brian Patrick Flynn at HGTV – hats off!
Now, if you have access to a dead juniper tree, like Lax Cat Creations in central Oregon, you can create the perfect cat tree for your nimble limb climber. It’s actually pretty attractive, set in a wooden base with the wood finished to a rich mahogany hue!
Collars and Toys!
What dog (and dog owner!) wouldn’t love a customized collar for their favorite fur-bearing friend? Great Dane Care offers up a DIY YouTube tutorial for anybody with a dog and a sewing machine!
Assuming you already have sewing tools like a measuring tape and straight pins, you’ll also need nylon webbing, cotton fabric and thread, a welded D-ring plus a buckle and adjuster.
Or there’s a different look in a Paracord Collar — tutorial courtesy of Bored Paracord.
Have you seen Kelsey and Becky, The Sorry Girls? They’re kind of a crack up. Two young DIYers who walk through IKEA looking for something to transform. Recently they received a pet-theme challenge from viewers. So after a shopping spree at IKEA, the pair came away with two wire plant stands and bowls that they turned into a pet feeding station with putty, paint and glue.
For cat and dog toys, you’ll find 41 different play things to choose from at DIY Projects for Teens. These can keep your high schoolers busy making fun things for pups and kitties to play with, from chew toys and puzzles to treats and wardrobe accessories.
And for leashes and DIY clay dog tags, check out The Spruce Crafts!
Do It Yourself in Crystal Valley
The new homes in the master-planned community of Crystal Valley are home to plenty of dog and cat owners who love their pets and aren’t shy about letting you know it! If that describes you, send us your pet pics (info@livecrystalvalley.com) and we’ll post them here! With four builders and a variety of floor plans — from Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, Century Communities or D.R. Horton – you’ll find all sorts of personalization options. Visit the natural surroundings and then privately tour the model you like most — a ranch or two-story model — priced from the $300s.
