DIY projects aren’t just fun – they’re eco-friendly! Reduce your fur babe’s carbon pawprint by trying your hand at one or more of these homemade pet products.
This Earth Day, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite DIY pet projects for you to try at home. Using natural and recycled materials reduces waste, cuts back on the pollution created by shipping store-bought products… and it’s fun!
1. DIY pet-friendly room and linen spray
What you’ll need
- 16 oz glass bottle
- 8 oz distilled water
- 2 oz organic witch hazel (or substitute 2 tsp Epsom salts)
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil*
- 15 drops lemon essential oil*
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil*
*Be sure to use pure, unadulterated, high quality essential oils.
Instructions
Using a funnel, combine all ingredients in your glass bottle. Swirl gently to combine and spritz away!
2. Simple no-sew denim dog toy
What you’ll need
- 9 25” strips of denim
- A rubber band
Instructions
a) Fasten your denim strips together on one end using the elastic. Leave 5” of fabric above the elastic.
b) Shut the fastened end of the denim strips in a door or have a friend hold it for you.
c) Divide the strips into three sets of three.
d) Start braiding! Cross the set of strips on the far left over the middle pair, then do the same with the right strips. Keep the braid as tight as possible.
e) Continue until you have 5” of unbraided fabric left.
f) Fasten the remaining unbraided fabric by separating one set of strips.
g) Tie two of them in a knot, then wrap them around the other two sets of strips and tie them in another knot.
h) Remove the rubber band and repeat the above step on the opposite end.
3. Fleece pet blanket
What you’ll need
- 2 6.5’ sheets of fleece
- Ruler
- Scissors
Instructions
- Lay the sheets of fleece on top of each other on the floor or a large table, with the right sides facing out. Make sure the edges match up, and trim off any extra fabric.
- Using your ruler, measure and cut out a 3” to 6” square at each corner of the sheets. The size you choose will be the size of your blanket’s fringe.
- Repeat this for each corner, making sure to cut through both layers of fleece.
- Cut strips of fabric along the edges of your blanket – this is your fringe. Each strip should be the same length as your corner squares, and can be anywhere from 1” to 2” wide.
- Tie the fringe strips together using a snug square knot (like the knot you use to tie shoelaces) on each one. Try not to crumple the fabric by pulling the knots too tight.
- Resist the urge to keep the completed blanket for yourself!
4. DIY doggie toothpaste
What you’ll need
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp finely chopped mint leaves
- ¼ tsp baking soda
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and store in a covered container at room temperature.
5. Recycled pet bed
What you’ll need
- Sweater
- Pins
- polyester filling
- square or circular pillow (optional)
- scissors
- needle
- thread OR sewing machine
Instructions
Step 1: Choose a sweater.
Choose an old wool or Sherpa sweater that you never wear. If the sweater has a high neck, cut it off and set it aside for future patch-jobs.
Step 2: Sew the neckline.
Turn the sweater inside-out and sew a straight line just below the neckline to seal it shut. You can use a sewing machine or do it by hand using the thread color of your choice. When you’re done, turn the sweater right-side-out.
Step 3: Sew across the sweater from armpit to armpit.
Use pins to mark out a straight line across the front of your sweater from armpit to armpit. You can turn the sweater inside-out for this step as well to ensure a nicer finish. Sew just above or just below the pins. Remove the pins and turn the sweater right-side-out.
Step 4: Stuff the arms of the sweater.
Fill the arms with the stuffing, ensuring it’s packed as tightly as possible without stretching the material. Leave an inch of fabric unstuffed at the cuff of one of the sleeves so you can sew them together.
Step 5: Sew the arms together.
Tuck the cuff of the fully-stuffed sleeve inside the other so that they overlap completely. Sew the arms together as securely as possible along the edge of the visible cuff.
Step 6: Cut and discard the bottom of the sweater.
Spread the sweater out with the looped arms on top. Using your pins, mark around the outer edge of the arms. Cut along the line of pins, ensuring you cut through both layers of fabric.
Step 7: Stuff the body of the sweater.
Using the rest of your stuffing or a pillow, stuff the body of the sweater in between the arms.
Step 8: Sew the arms to the body.
To complete your DIY pet bed, flip the sweater over and sew the arms of the sweater to the body as securely as possible. Flip the bed back over and gift it to your cat or small dog!
6. Kitty condo
What you’ll need
- Cardboard box
- T-shirt
- Rubber bands
Instructions
Wrap the t-shirt around the box, and tie the sleeve holes with rubber bands. Use a box cutter or scissors to cut a hole in the box where the t-shirt neck is. Use hot glue to decorate the box with cat toys, flowers, and tassels.
These DIY pet products are a fun, creative way to celebrate Earth Day with your animal companions. Have fun, and be sure to send us photos of your completed projects!
