How to Build a Dog Bed Using PVC Pipe

Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is commonly used for plumbing but many hobbyists use PVC to create everything from furniture to greenhouses. A PVC dog bed is an inexpensive project that will provide your dog with a comfortable place to sleep. These dog beds can be made to fit any size dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • PVC pipe, ¾-inch diameter
  • PVC cutter or hacksaw
  • PVC glue
  • PVC caps, 3/4-inch diameter, 4
  • PVC 3-way corner connectors, ¾-inch diameter, 4
  • Heavy duty fabric
  • Scissors
  • Fabric adhesive
  • Round washer head screws, ½-inch diameter
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tell the dog to lie down and allow it to stretch out. Locate the widest and longest parts of the dog. Using those spots, measure a square to accommodate the dogs length and width. Make the lines as straight as possible. Add three to six inches on each side.

    • 2

      Cut the PVC pipes to the measurements you took. Cut two pipes to match the width you measured and two pipes to the length you measured. Cut four pieces of 4-inch long pipe for the legs of the bed. Cut the fabric for the dog to rest on. Add 2-inches to the measurements of all the sides of the bed and cut the fabric so it is twice as wide as the bed.

    • 3

      Apply a rim of glue to the inside of the bottom ports of the three-way corner connectors. The ports are the holes on the bottom of the connector rather than in the "V" shape on the top. Insert the leg pipes into these holes and apply another ring of glue around the outside of the bottom of the pipes. Side the PVC caps onto the bottom of the pipes.

    • 4

      Glue the inside of the side ports on the corner connectors and slide the pipes for the sides into the ports. Allow the pipes to set for about 30 minutes. Pick up the bed frame and place it over your pet, to check the size.

    • 5

      Fold the fabric in half and apply the fabric adhesive inside the fold, around the sides. Press the fabric together to form one piece, making it twice as strong. Allow the fabric adhesive to dry for 10 minutes.

    • 6

      Lay the fabric on the floor and set the bed upside down on the fabric. Fold each corner of the fabric under the corner of the pipe frame. Do not fold it over the pipe. At this point, the corner of the 3-way connector is visible, but the sides of the connector will be covered when you fold the fabric over the pipe.

    • 7

      Pull each side of the fabric over the PVC frame and stretch each side to make the fabric tight. Screw one screw every three inches into the bottom of the PVC pipe.

    • 8

      Turn the dog bed over and drill five screws across each corner on the top. The screws are placed half an inch from the edge of the fabric and are evenly spaced across the corner. These screws must screw into the frame to hold the fabric in place.