How to Make a Pet Hammock for a Dog

A hammock is one style of dog bed that can be easy to set up, clean and move around as needed. Unlike a hammock for a person, one for a dog needs to be almost as wide as it is long. It also needs to be supported from all four corners, as most dogs do not like the rocking motion of traditional hammocks.

Things You'll Need

  • Single layer fleece blanket
  • Nylon straps, 2 inches wide by 1 to 3 feet long
  • Wood boards, 2 inches by 2 inches
  • Wood screws
  • Heavy thread
  • Sewing needle
  • Fabric scissors
  • Metal hooks
  • Eyebolts
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build a wooden base. Your dog will jump in and out of it, so it needs to sit as steady as possible. Use the 2-inch-by-2-inch wood boards to construct a base. Make a rectangular frame to sit on the floor, at least 2.5 feet long by 1.5 feet wide for small dogs, 3.5 feet long by 2.5 feet wide for medium dogs and 5.5 feet long by 4.5 feet wide for large dogs. Use screws to attach the boards together at the corners. Attach vertical boards to each corner, 1.5 feet tall for small dogs, 2.5 feet tall for medium dogs, and 3.5 feet tall for large dogs. Put eyebolts on the top of each vertical board, making sure they face inward.

    • 2

      Make the hammock bed. Use the fleece blanket for this part. For small dogs, cut the blanket down to the appropriate size, 3 feet long by 2 feet wide. For medium or large dogs, you may not need to adjust the blanket size. It should be 4 feet long and 3 feet wide for medium dogs and 5 feet long by 4 feet wide for large dogs. Sizes can be adjusted as needed for your dog. If you cut the blanket to a smaller size, hem the edges so that it doesn't unravel later on.

    • 3

      Cut holes for the support straps. About 1.5 to 2 inches in a diagonal direction from each corner, cut a hole 1.5 inches in diameter. Hem the edges of the hole so that it won't unravel. This will also provide extra support for the hammock straps.

    • 4

      Attach the straps to the hammock bed. Sew metal hooks to each end of the nylon straps. Hook one end through the holes you created. Hook the other end to the eyebolts in the wooden base.