How to Build an Indoor Doghouse

Prior to discussing how to build an indoor doghouse, it is imperative to think about the kind of material you want to use. There are essentially two options: you may choose to make the indoor dog house a piece of furniture which can become integrated into the room on a permanent basis or you may opt for making it a temporary accommodation for a dog who might not have access to an outdoor kennel for a few days or who requires a little hideaway place for the time the grandkids come to visit. In the former case, the use of sturdy materials is highly suggested while in the latter case you could use soft materials. When you follow the steps outlined here, you will learn how to build an indoor doghouse using soft materials. It is easily put together and taken apart, cleans up beautifully and keeps fleas at bay.

Things You'll Need

  • Pad and pencil
  • Measuring tape
  • 5 pet mats
  • 5 + 1 optional zippered pillow covers
  • Scissors
  • Velcro
  • Sewing kit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your dog to determine the height and circumference of the indoor doghouse you are going to build. As a rule of thumb, the dog should be able to stand up inside the doghouse and also be able to turn around. Write down the measurements.

    • 2

      Purchase five pet mats made from thick foam. Each of these mats forms one side of a cube or rectangle. Refer back to your measurements to ascertain how long a mat you need for the bottom and the top, and how tall the mats need to be for the four sides. If you were to put all pet mats together, you would have a cube or rectangle, depending on the length and height of the dog.

    • 3

      Find five zippered pillow covers in a design you like and that fit over the pet mats you purchased. Invest in high quality polyester microfiber as this will keep dust mites, dander, fleas, and other undesirable vermin at bay. Place the pet pads inside the pillow covers.

    • 4

      Attach the Velcro to the portions of the covered pads that meet. Line up the covered pads and make a little mark where to attach the Velcro. It is usually a good idea to attach one Velcro fastener for every eight inches of material. Secure the Velcro by sewing it on to the covers with the help of needle and thread. Do not allow your needle to go through to the foam.

    • 5

      Plan on tackling the opening next; you should now have a cube made up of five pet pads covered with zippered pillow cases. The entrance of the cube could be left open for bigger dogs, but for smaller dogs that prefer more sense of protection, consider attaching a curtain with the Velcro. If you purchased six pillow covers, you could cut apart the unused one and fashion the curtain from it; otherwise, simply use a bit of lace or fabric that complements the design of the zippered pillow cases you chose.

    • 6

      Make sure all the pads are properly attached and then invite your dog to enter. Do so either by placing a treat or dog toy into the indoor doghouse.