Introduction: Pet Car Seat
If you're into spoiling your pet, or if you just like to peruse the latest trends for you fur children then you have probably noticed pet car seats or booster seats. Now while you could pay 20 bucks and up for one, I have made this one for $10. You can also purchase patterns to make your own at Joanns, but the materials will cost you close to $30.
For this you simply need a laundry basket, pillow, about a yard and a half of fleece or other material, and a leash.
For this you simply need a laundry basket, pillow, about a yard and a half of fleece or other material, and a leash.
Step 1: Dog Car Seat
Do your homework first, know the measurements of your dog so that they will have plenty of room to lay down comfortably. While my dog is small, he is long. Also measure the car seat that will most often be used in conjunction with the dog seat to ensure the laundry basket isn't going to be too big. Find a pillow that will fit down into the laundry basket relatively well.
I happened to find when i went to the store that both laundry baskets and pillows were on sale, Kaching! They also had those fleece throw blankets on sale for like $2.88 so altogether I spent like $8.33, though I already had a spare leash at home.
For my car and dog this all worked well, if you have a smaller dog or larger vehicle, you can also use belting material to make straps to attach the pet seat to the car seat allowing the dog to see out the window. For an example of what I'm talking about check here: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2B9UVbZsjL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
I happened to find when i went to the store that both laundry baskets and pillows were on sale, Kaching! They also had those fleece throw blankets on sale for like $2.88 so altogether I spent like $8.33, though I already had a spare leash at home.
For my car and dog this all worked well, if you have a smaller dog or larger vehicle, you can also use belting material to make straps to attach the pet seat to the car seat allowing the dog to see out the window. For an example of what I'm talking about check here: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2B9UVbZsjL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Step 2: And We Begin...
Okay so there are two ways to do this.
Lazy way: Put the pillow in the basket and simply drape the blanket or fabric over the pillow to make it softer and cover the vent holes.
Or if you want a more finished look you can measure the sides of the laundry basket and actually sew the fabric to make a pillow case with walls type of deal. It doesn't take a genius to figure out how to make that happen and I didn't take picture of the sewing bit.
Lazy way: Put the pillow in the basket and simply drape the blanket or fabric over the pillow to make it softer and cover the vent holes.
Or if you want a more finished look you can measure the sides of the laundry basket and actually sew the fabric to make a pillow case with walls type of deal. It doesn't take a genius to figure out how to make that happen and I didn't take picture of the sewing bit.
Step 3: Keeping Fido Safe
Next we need to make sure that your precious fuzzy buddy stays safe and isn't roaming around the car.
Now you could get all fancy and legit, but it's going to be hidden by the back of the car seat anyways so who cares.
I simply took the leash threaded it through the basket and then through the handle an voila! Pooch, or kitty, stays in their seat and safe. I also take the added measure of seat belting the seat in place to ensure it's not sliding around.
Annnnddd you're done, Congrats on a fancy new cheap seat for your best friend.
The final image is the finished product. My dog Lucky Jack is laying in it before I had sewed the fabric into its shape, I just wanted to see what he thought of it.
Now you could get all fancy and legit, but it's going to be hidden by the back of the car seat anyways so who cares.
I simply took the leash threaded it through the basket and then through the handle an voila! Pooch, or kitty, stays in their seat and safe. I also take the added measure of seat belting the seat in place to ensure it's not sliding around.
Annnnddd you're done, Congrats on a fancy new cheap seat for your best friend.
The final image is the finished product. My dog Lucky Jack is laying in it before I had sewed the fabric into its shape, I just wanted to see what he thought of it.