How To Make A Cheap Dog Bed

My senior, mixed breed dog needed a new bed. Since he is older he is more prone to accidents and other issues. After his old bed became unusable, I decided to shop around for a new dog bed.

He is a medium sized dog who is most likely a chow mix of some type. In his better days he was about 45 to 50 pound but now hovers around 40.

I needed a good bed that would be comfortable for his tired body to lay on. As I began shopping I was surprised that good solid dog beds could be upwards of $80 to $100 or even higher!

Since he is older and prone to accidents, I was hesitant to invest in such an expensive bed since it might need to be replaced if it was soiled.

After a frustrating day of looking around, I found a much cheaper alternative and my dog is happy and comfortable.

If you examine dog beds, many of the better, and more expensive ones are made from "egg crate" foam, much like what people use on top of their beds.

These beds were very expensive. But I fond that you can by a twin size egg crate mattress cover for under twenty dollars.

This twin size egg crate from Amazon can be used for dogs of multiple sizes. If you have a smaller dog, then you can cut it to fit and store the extra pieces for later use.

You can also fold or fold and cut the egg crate to make multiple layers of softness.

My senior dog appreciates the softness of two layers so I cut it in half, across the middle, and created a double layer bed for him to lay on.

There are multiple ways you can cover the egg crate.

If the dog is small, you can put the egg crate piece or pieces into an old pillowcase. You can also put old blankets or sheets on top of the egg crate for your dog.

Since my dog enjoys softness, I use cheap comforters and wrap them around the top and bottom of the egg crate.

For my older dog, I keep three or four comforters clean and ready for use so that I can change them out and wash them as needed.

When I need to replace the comforter I check garage sales and ebay. There are often some good deals on comforters and since it is for your dog it doesn't really matter what the style or print is.

Between the egg crate and the soft, padded comforter, my dog can spend his senior years resting and I can easily change everything out and keep his area clean and comfortable.

Many animals prefer and benefit from having their own bed. Even if your dog sleeps in your bed, having his or her own space to sleep in, especially if they are crated can provide comfort and support.

A good dog bed will keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Even animals in the wild will seek or create bedding that consists of pine straw, leaves or other soft material.

While your dog can and may sleep on the floor, having his own bed to sleep in will give him comfort.

You can spend a lot of money on a dog bed if you want to, but you don't really have to do that.

One of the great things about using cheap comforters is that you can throw them in the wash. Use hot water to get rid of fleas and flea eggs. Keeping your dog treated for fleas as well will help keep his bedding flea free.

If you should run into a flea problem, check your local pet supply store for flea product sprays that can be applied directly to the bedding.

For my senior dog, having multiple layers of bedding and softness was important for him. As dogs age, just like people, their joints ache and they get tired more easily.

The egg crate fit perfectly inside his crate, where he sleeps. He feels safe and comfortable.

I feel better knowing I don't have a ton of money invested in it. The comforters can wash and the egg crate itself can be replaced for less than twenty dollars.

If you are looking for a cheaper way to make your dog comfortable or if you have an older dog that is more likely to mess up a dog bed, consider making your own!