I have to admit that I don’t normally spend a lot of money on dog beds for Luna. Mostly because they have ended up like this:
and this:
And when they aren’t in multiple pieces they are usually squished and lumpy.
Luna’s speedy response to “into bed” often results in her squishing her bed, so I was on the hunt for an option that could better withstand her force. I was also really excited about making something out of the simple wooden crates that are available at so many stores. I have seen the wooden crates for sale at craft stores like Michael’s and AC Moore as well as Walmart and Home Depot. They usually cost about $12, but craft stores often have 40-50% off one item coupons, so be sure to check the ads or online!
If none of those stores are located near you, Amazon also has a few wooden crate options (affiliate link).
I actually bought one a few months ago in hopes to make a DIY wooden crate dog bed, but since I don’t have my own sewing machine it has just been sitting and waiting for me to find a comfy bed to place inside.
Then I found out that AllPetNaturals has pillow beds from West Paw Design that were the perfect size!
If you don’t want to make the splurge on the West Paw Design, you could definitely make the bed out of an old pillow or any of these other DIY dog bed options.
So here is the finished product:
Because of the crate size, this is intended for dogs 23 lbs and under or cats! I’m sure there are larger crates available or you could also build your own out of scrap wood or a wooden pallet.
Assuming you have a pre-built crate, there are just 4 easy steps to a new dog bed.
First, remove the three extra horizontal planks from one side of the crate. This will be the entry point for your dog or cat.
I did this by wedging the crate up against a hard surface. Something like a sidewalk curb should work. Then I hit the extra planks with a hammer on each side until they came loose from the rest of the crate.
After all three extra planks are removed, clean up the area by removing any remaining wood fragments or staples. Pliers work great for this!
Next, sand and paint your crate. Be sure to sand the crate well, so there aren’t any rough spots that may irritate your pet.
I used a can of Bordeaux (aka Burgundy) colored spray paint to match my wine inspired living room. I recommend avoiding the super cheap spray paint because it won’t cover as evenly. Better quality spray paints also typically have better applicators that don’t make your fingers feel like they are going to fall off.
You will probably want to do at least two coats of paint, while letting the crate dry in between.
You could also elect to keep the crate natural colored or stain it to look like a darker wood.
After you have painted your wooden crate, then all you need to do is place the pillow pet bed inside!
However, for full disclosure – I’m pretty sure Luna still prefers the $5 bed I bought from Walmart last Christmas.
What does your pet’s favorite bed look like?
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