How to Make Creative and Useful Crafts for Your Pet

If you have pets or are thinking of bringing one home, then you need to be informed about their physical and nutritional needs. You should also offer them a space where they can have fun and be entertained. 5-Minute Crafts will teach you how to make useful accessories to take care of your dog or cat. We are also offering you a bonus where we show you how to keep ants away from their food bowls.

Cat scratcher

If your cat likes scratching your furniture, don’t reprimand it. Felines do this because they need to apply their scent, sharpen their nails, release stress, or just because they are bored and want to play. A scratcher could be the ideal solution to keep your pet entertained and healthy.

You’ll need:

• A piece of wood of approximately 6 in (15 cm) x 24 in (60 cm)

• A piece of carpet

• Sisal rope, approximately 2.8 yds (2 m)

• A drill with a spade bit to perforate the wood

• A stapler or liquid glue

1. Drill a hole in the middle of the upper section of the wood.

2. Wrap the carpet around the piece of wood. Secure it using the stapler. You can also use liquid glue. Spread it all over the wood and then stick the carpet to it.

3. Next, wind the rope around the surface of the wood that isn’t covered with carpet. You can do this on both ends. Make sure that you continuously wind the rope tightly.

4. Once the piece of wood is completely covered with both materials, you can hang it wherever you want, especially near the spot in your home where your cat enjoys scratching their nails the most.

Food dispensers

If you’re going to be away for several hours, a food dispenser will come in handy so that your cat will be able to stick to its feeding schedule and so it has as much food as it needs. Talk to a vet to find out the right amount of food to feed your pet and, consequently, prevent obesity and other illnesses.

Option 1

You’ll need:

• 1 plastic bottle — container’s capacity: 0.3 gal (1 L)

• A piece of elastic

• Liquid glue

• 1 cutter

• 1 soft plastic ball for pets

1. Use the cutter to remove the middle section of the bottle, following the lines. Using both ends, you’ll get a smaller bottle.

2. Use liquid glue to stick the end of the piece of elastic to the bottom of the bottle. Wait for it to dry. Then, insert the top part of the bottle.

3. Thread the piece of elastic through the mouth of the bottle so that it sticks out of the bottle. Glue it to the small plastic ball.

4. Fill the container with food, and secure it with adhesive tape or double-sided tape to a wall or a piece of furniture that is accessible to your pet.

5. Show your pet how the dispenser works.

6. Practice a few times until your pet understands that the food comes out when they move the ball.

Option 2

You’ll need:

• 2 plastic bottles — containers’ capacity: 0.3 gal (1 L)

• 1 cutter

1. Use a cutter to cut through the bottles, following the lines.

2. The hole on the first bottle should be the same size as the neck of the second bottle.

3. Insert the neck of the second bottle into the hole on the first one, so that it holds tight. If it’s too loose, put some glue around it to secure it.

4. Fill the previously cut container of the second bottle with food.

5. Use your hands to apply pressure and join the container with food to the other end of the second bottle.

6. The first bottle will be the bowl and the second one, the dispenser. As the food in the bowl runs out, more will automatically fall from the second bottle.

Water dispensers

Your pet needs to be hydrated throughout the day, especially if you live in a place with hot weather. This hack will keep your pet’s bowl from running out of water.

Option 1

You’ll need:

• 2 pieces of wood

• 1 plastic bottle — containers’ capacity: 16.9 oz (500 ml)

• Velcro tape

• Double-sided tape

• Glue

1. Put double-sided tape on the lower section of both pieces of wood. You can also use liquid glue instead of tape.

2. Stick them together at a 90° angle. Wait for the glue to dry.

3. Place the Velcro tape on the plastic bottle as shown in the picture.

4. Cut a piece of Velcro tape of the same length as the one on the bottle. Glue it onto the upper section of the wood.

5. Join the bottle and wood on the Velcro ends. Fill the bottle with some fresh water.

6. Place the bowl on the piece of wood that’s on the floor. Open the cap and let the water out. As your pet drinks the water, more of it will come out.

Option 2

You’ll need:

• 1 plastic bottle — containers’ capacity: 16.9 oz (500 ml)
• Double-sided tape

1. Fill the bottle with fresh water. Stick a piece of double-sided tape along its surface.

2. Attach the bottle onto a flat surface and place the water bowl underneath.

3. Open the bottle cap and let the water pour out.

Bonus: Keep ants away from your pet’s bowl

• Place a large container with a little bit of water under the bowl. This will prevent ants from getting to the food.

• Keep insects off in an organic and pesticide-free way. Put a couple of dried bay leaves under your pet’s bowl. Replace them weekly.

• Check to see if your pet leaves some crumbs after eating. Wipe them off immediately.