When we decide to become a pet owner, we decide to bring pets home and share our lives with them. In our case, it was not always a smooth sailing journey all throughout but still our pets fill our lives with both happiness and excitement, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Truth is, pet accessories are expensive. If you take note of wear and tear, sometimes the price of making our pets comfortable is way too high. This is in addition to the cost of dog food, treats, vet appointments and grooming.
That is why we try our best to give our pets the best we can. Our best doesn’t necessarily come with an expensive price tag. Sometimes, recycling and reusing old things in the house will be necessary. These are ways that will cost you nothing, or just a few tools that will cost no more than a few dollars. But as a result, your pet becomes more comfortable and definitely more loved.
Here are a few suggestions on how to create pet accessories from your home.
1. Shrink your kid’s sweater.
If you have old sweaters that are no longer being used, try shrinking them for your dog. Measure the sweater against the size of your dog. Then toss the sweater into the wash with a quarter cup of detergent. Place the temperature to hot. Set the machine for a large wash to over wash the sweater. After washing, squeeze it dry and put it on your dog. Refit while still wet. If there are still loose ends, sew to tighten.
If your children have clothes that are worn out or have been outgrown, try doing the same. Your dog will feel warm and totally awesome when you take him out for a walk.
2. Use your old pillows and pantyhose.
Worn out pillows should still be good in making a small pillow for your cat or pooch. Simply fill up the pantyhose with old pillow stuffing. Then nip the excess pantyhose and knot the ends. This will be a comfy and soft pillow for your pet and best to place in his sleeping box or an upcycled suitcase.
3. Recycle a belt.
Save your old belts and use it for Buster when he snaps his collar. Simply measure the belt around your dog’s neck and cut in the desired amount. Pierce holes through the belt using an awl. For cats, connect the belt with a rubber band so she can slip it off when it gets stuck.
4. Polish Kitty’s nails.
Make your cat’s nails extra posh with a coat of nail polish. Glow in the dark are great to make you see them in the dark. Now she can strut in style and she will be easier to locate.
5. Use baking soda in his beddings.
When your pets’ beddings need sprucing up, sprinkle with a teaspoon of baking soda and set for an hour. Clean off the baking soda and vacuum the rest. Baking soda will get rid of the unwanted bacteria and odor. You don’t need to make extra washings.
6. Stuff old shoe bags.
Shoe bags are great for storing pet supplies, vitamins and the vet’s number in one place. Hang these by the door and organize your pets’ belongings. By doing this, you will have access to all of their valuables and you don’t lose time by looking for them.
Another pet project that you can take for your cat is a baby sock toy. All you need is to stuff cotton balls into old baby’s socks and sew it to seal. Make sure that you sew tassels on the fringes to make your toy more entertaining. You can also achieve the same by stuffing the socks with catnip.
Using an old suitcase, you can make a better bed for your pet. Cut the suitcase in half and discard the upper half. With the stuffed pillows that you made with your old pantyhose, fill the suitcase and cover with a blanket. Make sure that the suitcase is completely stuffed and covered with a blanket for a warner and more comfy effect. You can do the same with old briefcases for smaller dogs or cats.
Pre-loved items such as sweaters, socks and shirts can still be useful for your pets. You can even have your children engage in making accessories. You can all have fun and enjoy watching your pets snuggle in your upcycled pooch bed.
There are ways to make your pet’s life easier without the extra cost. Living with a dog and a cat doesn’t need to be a burden. We all love our pets, almost as much as our own children, and we want to provide them with comfort. After all, our pets work for us too.
