How to Construct a Birdproof Pet Food Feeder Bowl

Many people prefer to feed their pets outdoors. However, this leaves your pet food vulnerable to hungry pests. Wild birds especially love pet food. Birds are eager creatures and once they know the whereabouts of a source of food, it can be difficult to keep them away. A surefire way to keep birds out of your pet food is to construct a bird proof box with a hinged lid that you can set your pet food bowl in. Your pet will be able to lift the lid with their nose to eat. The box will be constructed high enough that birds will be unwilling to jump into the deep, dark space.

Things You'll Need

1/4-inch to 1-inch plywood
Jig saw
Hammer
Nails
Wood glue
Hinges
Non-toxic wood sealer
Sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the dimensions your pet feeder box needs to be. Measure the width and height of your pet bowl. Add 3 inches to the width. Add 4 to 8 inches to the height. The height will depend on the size of your pet. You want the box to be high enough to keep the birds from wanting to jump in, but low enough that your pet will still be able to reach the food inside.
- 2
  Cut the sides, top and bottom out of plywood or another comparable, lightweight wood stock such as cedar. Use a thinner ply for small dogs and pets and thicker ply for large dogs. The lid needs to be light enough that the pet can lift it. If you wish, the bottoms and sides can be cut out of thicker stock, for easy nailing, and the lid can be cut out of thinner stock, for easy lifting.
- 3
  Cut a half circle or a small square out of the top, center of the front side of the box. Make this opening just big enough that your pet can stick his nose in to lift up the lid.
- 4
  Sand all of the edges.
- 5
  Glue and nail together the bottom and four sides.
- 6
  Attach the top to the back edge with either two door hinges or one long piano hinge.
- 7
  Waterproof the box with a non-toxic, wood sealer.