A dog bed is where your pet spends a lot of time of his daily routine, resting and lounging. It is your pet’s private space, the joint rest, and the cozy napping spot in winter. Most pet parents invest a lot of their time and effort in finding the ideal pet bed.
Some of these also feature waterproof fabric and non-slip bottoms. Unlike regular beds, waterproof dog beds are easy to clean, dry up quickly, and tend to be hygienic for allergic pets.
When compared to regular dog beds, these can be somewhat expensive. If you are planning to buy a new crate mat for your furry friend, it is recommended to go with one that fits your budget and your pup’s requirements.
If you have searched the markets for the ideal dog bed, you will know that all dog beds aren’t created equal. Some of them feature washable foam, while others require a removable cover and some extra maintenance. If you already have a mat, don’t worry. You can change it to a waterproof bed.
This is where DIY skills come in. Occasional spills and accidents can happen, but with some simple household items, you can upgrade your pet’s old bed into a durable waterproof one. This DIY waterproofing is easy, durable, and pet-friendly.
In this guide, you will find why it is necessary to have a waterproof bed, and we’ll share a list of steps you can follow to transform an old pet mat into a comfy waterproof bed.
Why Should You Need to Make a Dog Bed Waterproof?
To understand that, we need to know the differences between a regular and a waterproof dog bed. Just like the names tell us, the latter type is washable and resistant to most liquids. The reduced absorbency decreases the chances of any accidental spills sinking in the foam.
On the other hand, a regular bed features a covering that isn’t resistant to water, which means any liquid spill can easily reach the foam base.
A Regular Bed Requires Extra Maintenance
A regular bed works great for pets who have had proper housebreaking training, especially when it is not raining. Even with the training, there are a few exceptions. Your canine is prone to accidents when she is physically unwell.
Young puppies sometimes have trouble bringing the natural reflex under control. Similarly, a sick dog may urinate unintentionally. Dogs who love to play in the water also tend to get their bed wet.
Without a waterproof covering, the liquids get soaked in the foam, and the mat ends up storing the scent. While washing it is one solution, it is time-consuming, the bed takes longer to dry, and most foam beds aren’t fit for machine washing and instead need to be hand-washed.
During this time, your pet is also unable to use the bed. In the case of a quick-drying waterproof bed, however, your pooch can use it again quickly.
Waterproof Beds are Super Easy to Wash and Clean
Having a waterproof bed can save you the trouble of washing. While you need to clean these properly at least twice a month, the foam remains protected and does not absorb any smell.
With the upper, waterproof covering, the foam does not need to be washed, and therefore the mat is dry and available for use again in no time.
These Prove to be More Durable and Long-lasting
Continued washing can reduce the life span and affect the shape of foam. If the bed features memory foam, its orthopedic shape can be affected.
A waterproof covering can save the foam and reduce the wear and tear on its shape. If you already have a dog bed or planning to get a new one, a waterproof cover can add to its longevity and durability.
Waterproofing an Old Bed Saves you Money
Finding the right cover for a pet mat is not easy. It needs to be the exact fit and made from a durable material to stand the wear and tear. DIY waterproofing saves the crate mat from its fate and also goes easy on your wallet.
A waterproof bed is the recommended option because it lasts longer, is clean and hygienic for your pet, and you can avoid buying a new dog bed quickly.
How to Make a Waterproof Dog Bed? [Step by Step]
Now that you know the importance and usefulness of a waterproof bed, it is time to make a waterproof bed. We’re here to take you through all the steps required to upgrade a regular pet mat into a waterproof, comfy bed.
Step 1: Wash the Bed
Before adding the waterproof layers, it is essential that you wash the bed because once it’s been wrapped up, the foam won’t clean that easily. Note the instructions and hand-wash it if necessary. Some pet beds cannot be machine washed. Therefore, you might have to hand wash them.
If your pooch is allergic or has sensitive skin, consider using hypoallergenic detergent and dry it under natural sunlight. Do not blow-dry it; instead, let it dry out in natural daylight. Once it is dry, we can go to the next step.
Step 2: Gather the Supplies
The second most important step is to find all the items needed for waterproofing. The following list includes the regular household items you will need. We have also included a few substitutes in case you do not have the exact item.
- Bin Liners: There is no specific quality required; however, the size depends on your canine’s bed size.
- Vinyl Shower Curtain or Space Blanket for Padding: These are to add softness to the mat, and you can use either one available.
- Fabric for Covering the Top: Use a durable material like Denim, but you can also go with fleece if you want a softer alternative. The choice is yours.
- Duct Tape or Any Other Waterproof Tape: The tape is important. It is what is going to hold the material of the bin liner together. It is ideal to get waterproof tape; however, if you are unable to find some, consider using duct tape instead.
- Measuring Tape: If you already have a dog bed, you can measure the fabrics and liners by comparing the size and eyeballing it. However, if you are making a dog mat from scratch, it can be helpful to have a regular measuring tape.
- A Pen or Pencil to Mark the Measurements: It is recommended to avoid a marker with spreading ink. Ideally, we want something that washes off.
- Needles, Scissors, and Thread: Lastly, we are going to need to do some sewing to give the final touches to our bed and secure everything in place.
Once you have the supplies, we can move on to the next step.
Step 3 – Wrap the Foam in the Bin Liner
This step may involve two steps depending on whether or not you have a pet mat. If you already have an old bed, then we can move on to wrapping the liner. If you are creating a mat from scratch, then get your scissors and tape measure because this will require some measuring.
Ideally, the foam should have a surface big enough so your pooch can lay on it without having to curl up too much. Consider measuring your pet’s length from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail.
Also, the foam should be able to hold your canine’s weight. Once you have determined the size, cut it using scissors. This step is unnecessary if you already have one.
Wrap the bin liner firmly on the bed foam and secure it using either waterproof tape or duct tape. Make sure the foam shaped doesn’t get distorted. This job needs to be done nicely because the liner is going to be the first waterproof layer of this bed.
Step 4 – Add Padding to the Foam Using a Space Blanket
Now that the inner lining is complete, you can put the bed cover back on. If the bed already doesn’t have one, you can use either a space blanket or a shower curtain for the first cover layer.
Space blankets are also known as the emergency blankets people are given when outside in trouble. You may need to sew it up. Once this padding is done, we move on to the final step.
Step 5 – Lastly, Finish off with a Durable Outside Cover
Once the basic waterproofing is complete, it is recommended to sew a fabric cover on top. This is to make it soft and durable. Some dogs love to dig and pull on their beds, and the fabric should be one that can withstand it.
You can choose the fabric of your choice; however, the most recommended options are fleece or denim. While many expensive bed covers also include durable materials like ripstop nylon, the above materials are also good.
Once the cover is in place, the DIY waterproof dog bed is ready. Now you do not have to worry about spills and accidents anymore.
Conclusion
As pet parents, we want our canines to have a luxury sleep. A dog bed is something your pooch uses for around 10 hours each day.
Some older dogs even use the beds for medical reasons and joint problems. While maintaining these isn’t impossible, it indeed becomes a hectic task when the bed is not waterproof.
It is possible to make an old dog mat completely waterproof using daily use items like bin liners, extra fabric, and tape. When the steps are followed nicely, you can get an economical, sturdy bed that can withstand most of the daily wear and tear and is super easy to clean.
