Make a Homemade Dog Bed Your Pup Will Love

Is the dog bed in the corner looking a little chewed and lumpy lately? While you could buy a new dog bed, why not make your own? A homemade dog bed is a great way to show your favorite dog just how much you love him — and save some money too! Plus, you can get creative by upcycling everything from old furniture to T-shirts to make the perfect bed for the perfect pooch.

Some Assembly Required

Dogs come in many sizes, so start by measuring your pup's old bed to see how much space he needs to be comfortable. You can also observe his favorite ways and spaces to relax. Do you have a giant husky who sleeps curled up in a tiny ball? He may like a cozier den. Does your beagle spread-eagle? He may need a bigger cushion than you thought.

The simplest DIY dog bed is a huge pillow, which you can make by cutting two large rectangles of fabric and sewing them together on three sides. One or two old fleece blankets make a great recycled cushion. Before stitching up the fourth side, choose a stuffing that will be safe and comfortable for your dog.

Stuffing Options for a Homemade Dog Bed

While you want your homemade dog bed to look great, you also want it to be the ultimate in comfort for your canine pal, so the filling you choose is very important. You have a lot of choices, but you'll want to consider things like joint and mobility issues, ease of cleaning, and chewing or digging tendencies before making a decision.

Here are five great filling choices:

• Fiberfill is an inexpensive and soft choice — but keep in mind that it compacts over time and doesn't wash well.
• Memory foam can be an excellent choice for a dog who suffers from arthritis or who appreciates a firmer surface. Thin, bony dogs, such as greyhounds, may also need a thicker bed to keep their joints comfortable.
• Aromatic wood chips can absorb some stinky dog odor but may create a big mess if your pet decides to chew up his new bed. You will also need a fabric strong enough to encase the chips, so that none of them poke through and make it uncomfortable for your dog to use the bed.
• Old towels, T-shirts, sheets, and blankets all make great filler when torn into strips. You'll save money and keep the items out of the landfill. Win-win!
• A bed pillow can be the simplest filling, with the added benefit that it's easy to clean. Like people, dogs might prefer a certain type of pillow, so keep experimenting until you find the one your dog seems to like the most.