When you think of diapers, you probably picture babies, but diapers aren’t just for human babies; they can be helpful for four-legged babies, too.
Whether you have a puppy that is having a difficult time getting the hang of house training or your senior dog has developed incontinence, dog diapers can come in handy.
It may sound (and look) silly, but putting a diaper on your pooch can save you from cleaning up endless wet spots, prevent your floors from being damaged, and may help your dog avoid unnecessary stress.
There are plenty of ready-made doggie diapers on the market, but they can be pretty pricey. Fortunately, there’s a way that you can combat the mess without spending a fortune.
How? By making DIY dog diapers.
Interested in trying your hand at DIY diapers for your pooch?
In this guide, you’ll find a collection of blueprints for easy to make, effective, and reusable canine diapers.
All you need are some basic supplies (fabric, yarn, a sewing machine, or even just a needle and thread) and you stitch up a own collection of diapers for your four-legged family member.
Reasons to Use a Dog Diaper
Anyone else have a dog with a leaky booty?
Before we dive in and share instructions for DIY dog diapers, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you might need to make and use them; after all, putting a pup in diapers does sound a little strange.
Believe it or not, however, there are some really good reasons to diaper up your pooch. If any of the following situations apply to you and your furry friend, you should definitely consider making up your own doggie diapers.
Whatever your particular situation will be, there’s no doubt about it, dog diapers can be super handy.
Benefits of Making Your Own Dog Diapers
Photo Credit: hannah.tesch603/Instagram
As we mentioned, you can easily purchase ready-made diapers for your pooch. Just visit any pet store or retailer that sells pet products and you’ll find an endless supply of options to choose from. But why should you forego already made diapers and make your own instead?
Here’s a look at some very compelling reasons to give DIY dog diapers a try:
Types of DIY Doggie Diapers
Photo Credit: wheelingweenie/ Instagram
Just like diapers for babies, there are two different types of DIY diapers for dogs: disposable and reusable. Obviously, both are intended to hold urine and feces, but let’s take a look at how they differ.
Disposable DIY Dog Diapers
As the name suggests, disposable DIY dog diapers are meant to be disposed of. They’re meant for one-time use only. In other words, once your pooch wears one of these diapers, you take it off and trash it, even if he hasn’t urinated or soiled the diaper (use the same diaper twice and there’s a chance your furry friend could develop a bladder infection).
The benefit of disposable DIY dog diapers is simplicity. If you don’t have the time to constantly wash Fido’s diapers – or you just don’t want to be bothered with the hassle – this type of DIY diaper is the right choice for you and your pooch.
Please Consider That:
Disposable dog diapers are not biodegradable, so when they wind up in landfills, that's exactly where they stay!
Reusable DIY Dog Diapers
These diapers are made of fabric and can be reused several times (hence why they’re called “reusable”). Once your pooch wets or soils the diaper, immediately remove it and clean it. You can toss it in the washing machine or hand wash; whichever option works better for you. Also note that, like with disposable diapers, you should wash the reusable variety every time you take it off your pup, even if he or she hasn’t dirtied it, as this will help to avoid infection.
The primary advantage of using DIY reusable dog diapers is that you don’t have to constantly refresh your stock like you would have to with disposable diapers. Plus, there are some super cute fabrics out there that you can make into diapers, giving your pup an “edge” on fashion. Not to mention the positive impact you'll make to the environment!
DIY Dog Diapers: The Best Designs
When it comes to DIY doggie diapers, the simpler, the better; you don’t want a complex design that’s difficult to put on and take off. Additionally, you don’t want to spend a fortune to make it. With that said, consider the information presented above, as well as your specific needs to determine which design will work for best for you and your pooch.
So, without further ado, we present to you a collection of our favorite DIY dog diaper designs.
1. Modified Disposable Baby Diapers for Dogs
If you’ve decided that disposable DIY diapers are the right option for you and your furry family member, this design is pretty easy to make. All you have to do is modify disposable baby diapers so that they can be used for your pooch. Here’s what you’ll need and a quick video on how to make a dog diaper from a baby diaper:
Complexity Level: Low
What You'll Need:
Method:
Once the hole is cut, you just slip the diaper on your pup so that it’s cover his or her midsection, place his tail through the hole, and furry friend will be ready to go!
2. Modified Reusable Baby Diapers
This design is basically the same as the previously mentioned DIY dog diaper, but instead of using disposable baby diapers, it involves using reusable or cloth baby diapers. With this design, you’ll save more money because you won’t have to constantly refresh your supply, as you can wash the diapers and use them over and over again.
Complexity level: Low
What You'll Need:
Method:
After the hole is cut, the diaper will be ready to use. Place it on your four-legged family member so that it covers his or her midsection.
3. Wee-wee Pad DIY Diapers
This design involves turning dog pads (the type you’d put on the floor when your pup is house training) into disposable DIY dog diapers. Dog pads are specifically designed to absorb liquids, so they can work well as diapers. This design is would work particularly well for larger dogs, as they’re bigger than human baby diapers.
Complexity Level: Low
What You'll Need:
Method:
4. Sock DIY Diaper
If your pup is small, you can use a sock to make a DIY reusable diaper. This option shared on Imgur is easy, affordable, and relatively effective.
Here's how to make a dog diaper out of a sock:
Complexity Level: Easy
What You'll Need:
Method:
5. No-Sew DIY Dog Diaper T-Shirt
Originally WikiHow's concept for a baby diaper, Pop Your Dog used the concept for a dog diaper. Using an old T-shirt to make a reusable diaper for your pooch. No sewing is required, which is definitely a bonus.
Here's what you'll need and how to make a dog diaper out of a t shirt:
via: DeeFritz/Instagram
Complexity Level: Easy
What You'll Need:
Method:
6. DIY Towel Diaper
Use an old towel to make a DIY reusable diaper for your pup.
Here's what you'll need and how to make a dog diaper from a towel:
via: Dugan_TheGreat/Instagram
Complexity Level: Easy
What You'll Need:
Method:
The Last Word on Doggie DIY Diapers
If your furry family member has been having issues with accidents in the house, give one of these simple, low-cost DIY doggie diapers a try. You can save yourself a lot of headaches, and your pooch a lot of grief! Just remember, whichever design you choose, make sure that you properly clean the diaper and your dog after each use.
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