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Pool Noodle Doggie Bed

Time to get your dog a new pet bed? Have a cat that’s getting ready to have kittens? You can easily make a really great bed for the pet without knowing how to sew! The bed you make will be suitable for cats or dogs and will only take a short while to make. There are different ways to make the unique bed so that you can use things you already have. Even if you have to make a purchase to create the bed the supplies will be very inexpensive.

Pool noodles, in case you’ve never seen one, are long, cylindrical pieces of foam. They’re made for kids to hold onto while swimming and are available at many dollar-theme stores. They come in a variety of colors – even sizes. You’ll need one noodle for a small pet bed; two or more for a larger one. Choose all the same colors or buy different colors and make a multi-colored arrangement. No matter the colors all the noodles must be the same size.

If you’re using more than one noodle glue them all together, end-to-end. Allow the glue to dry completely. Hot glue and spray adhesives work great for the foam craft. Hold the ends together until the grab and hold. If you’ve chosen to use an adhesive that will take longer to dry position towels or other objects around the circle of foam to hold it in place while the glue sets.

Before turning the noodles into a large circle you can first roll them in fabric, felt or other material. This is especially a good idea if the bed will be used for a cat. Cat’s will definitely claw at the noodles and easily tear them apart. The mere foam is no challenge for a cat’s claws. Wrapping the noodle in cloth will protect the foam – at least for awhile! Use fabric glue or another adhesive to secure the cloth around the noodles. Now twist them into a circle and glue the ends together.

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When you glue the ends together you will be able to see a seam. Cover this seam with a piece of ribbon or even lace, if desired. To make the entire circle look more uniform wrap a piece of ribbon or lace around an area straight across from the seam. Wrap additional pieces, in various areas, to make other designs.

After the glue is dry, and the noodle is permanently formed into a circle you have several options for creating the rest of the bed. One of the easiest ways is to use a pillow for the bottom of the bed. A round throw pillow works wonderfully. Position the pillow inside the circle of the pool noodles then use non-toxic adhesive to secure the noodle to the pillow. Fabric glue works really well, particularly if you’ve covered the noodle with cloth.

If the dog bed will be on a carpeted floor it might not be necessary to use a pillow for comfort. The dog will stay warm and cozy if you use a circle cut from a blanket. Lay the noodle circle on the blanket and draw around it. Cut out the circle but make it an inch smaller, all the way around. Apply the glue to the outer edges of the blanket circle then set the noodle on it. Allow the glue to dry completely by checking the label.

If the room where the bed will be is carpeted you have many choices for a thin bottom for the bed. Use a piece of an old sheet, an old baby blanket, or even a towel. Craft foam, which is thin and colorful, is another option. Simply cut the circle from the chosen material, apply the adhesive, then set the pool noodle circle in the glue.

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If the pet bed will be on a hard surface you have more than one choice, besides the pillow bottom, for completing the bed. If you sew you can make a pillow from an old pillowcase. If you don’t sew you can use fabric glue to attach three or four towel, blanket or other material circles together. Apply the glue to the stack of material and position the pool noodle ring.

Make a different design for the pet bed by allowing a space in the noodle circle for the pet to enter and exit. To do this, omit the part where you glue the ends of the noodles into a circle. Instead, position the pillow or other fabric on a flat surface. Apply the adhesive to it, take the noodle, and wrap it around the bed bottom. Leave a gap between the ends of the noodle for an entryway. Hold the noodle in place until the glue dries or set heavy objects around the noodle to secure. Remember to leave the open space free of glue so decide on the width of the space, as well as the area where the gap will be, before applying the adhesive.

Whether you have a dog or a cat your pet will love his or her new bed. It’s a lot of fun to make the easy beds so why not consider this craft to do for a friend’s dog or cat? It makes a great gift, costs very little, and is a unique way to pamper any pet. Hurry! Run out to the pool! You’ve got a new project to do!

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