Of all the DIY projects we can do, there are maybe none so satisfying as the ones we do for our pets. Like kids, pets never hide their enthusiasm for the new things we make for them, and they never make fun of us if they don’t turn out well. These fun DIY projects for pets are simple, straightforward and useful for your furry friends. When you use reclaimed materials and certified lumber, they’re also very green projects. So let’s get started.
Raised Food Bowl Stand
There are several reasons why raised pet bowls might be a good idea for your animals. Older or arthritic animals can benefit from eating without having to stretch down, especially if they’re tall. They also help keep the floor tidier and can even serve a decorative purpose in the home.
It’s easy to create a raised food bowl stand that has a little storage underneath. If you go through a lot of dog food, it can be handy to keep a small container right under the bowl itself so you can tuck the bigger bags away in the pantry and out of sight.
You’ll need some basic carpentry skills and tools to get this project done, but it’s not terribly complicated and you can make it as simple or as elegant as you wish. Ben Team at K9 of Mine has plans for a number of different stands.
Cat Litter Castle
Cats like to have a little privacy when they’re doing their business. You can turn several kinds of old furniture pieces into a veritable palace for your cat litter. Since you’ll be repurposing an existing piece, you won’t need exact dimensions. The size will depend on the space you have and the number of cats using the litter castle. Just make sure your cat has enough room to comfortably move around inside, and that the piece is tall enough that it’s not claustrophobia-inducing.
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An old cabinet, a dresser, a storage trunk, a hutch, a coffee table with large storage units inside—all kinds of furniture will work. The beauty of this project is that you can find a piece that fits your space and your home décor.
Choose an item that’s wood, or sturdy plywood, and cut a hole in the side. Make the hole large enough for your cat to easily step through and low enough that they don’t have to jump. Drill holes in the upper part of the back side for ventilation. If the piece has multiple compartments, place the litter box in the side closest to the hole, leaving enough room that the cat can walk into the box without having to jump straight into the litter. Use the other compartments to store extra litter, bags and cleaning supplies.
Pallet Bed for Your Dog
Recycled pallets are free and simple to work with, and they make for dog beds that are just as lovely as the pallet beds you can make for humans.
Once you’ve found a pallet in good shape, sand it down with 80 and then 100 grit sandpaper. Cut it in two, with your cut running parallel to, and in between, the slats. Cut it at a point that lets you create a main piece for a sleeping area and a smaller section for a headboard. Where you make your cut will depend on the size of your dog. Screw the headboard piece to the back of the main sleeping section.
If you want to spruce it up, you can cut spare lumber or extra pallet slats to create sides for the pallet’s sleeping area. Attach them with corner braces for security. You can also trim out the front of the pallet if you want the piece to look more solid. Paint or stain as you wish. Once it’s dry, cover with a dog mattress, dog bed blankets, or whatever your canine friend prefers to sleep on.
Scratching Post
Store-bought scratching posts are vastly inferior to ones you can make yourself. When built properly, DIY scratching posts are sturdier, more durable and so, so much more affordable. They’re also one of the easiest DIY projects for pets you can make.
With just a length of 4” x 4” lumber and a sheet of ¾ inch plywood, you can make a scratching post of any height and base size. A good base to post ratio is a 24” base for a 36” post, but you can adjust depending on where you need to fit this post. The caveat, of course, is that the larger the base is, the more stable the post will be.
Once you’ve decided on your dimensions, trace out where you want the post to sit on your base. Drill 4 pilot holes within that square. Then glue and screw your post to the centre of your plywood square. Use long screws (at least 2 ½”) to keep it secure.
That’s the basic model. From here you can fancy up the base by affixing a square of carpet to it with glue and a carpet stapler. You can trim out the edges of the base if you’re concerned about its sharpness, or if you just want it to look a bit more polished.
For a post that will entice your cats (and withstand their claws a little longer), you can wrap it in sisal or rope. Staple or tack the sisal at the bottom and then wind it around, working your way up the post and securing it with a staple or small nail every couple of inches. Make sure you’re not always stapling or nailing on the same side of the post—spread your staples or nails evenly. When you get to the top, affix the end with your final nail or staple. You might want to consider gluing it, as well, for extra security.
Feature image: Krysten Merriman; Image 1: Lisa Fotios
