DIY Projects for Cats & Dogs: 20 Easy-to-Build Creations for Your Best Friend (CompanionHouse Books) Beginner-Friendly, Step-by-Step Directions for Pet Beds, Doghouses, Scratching Posts, and More

by Armelle Rau, Pierre Legrix

Transform your home into a pet paradise! Pamper your pet and save money at the same time with DIY Projects for Cats and Dogs ! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced DIYer, this book will teach you how to build inexpensive, functional accessories that will turn your home into a pet paradise! These charming furniture pieces will brighten up the house and please your pet in ways cookie cutter pet store products never could. The perfect book for pet-loving DIYers, DIY Projects for Cats & Dogs is packed with step-by-step instructions, materials lists, and inspirational color photographs that accompany every imaginative creation—so that your DIY experience can be as straightforward as possible! Authors Armelle Rau and Pierre Legrix built and pet-tested each project in their own home to ensure functionality and safety. These hand-made items will keep your pet entertained, hide unsightly necessities, and offer protection. From a cat tree and wall-mounted scratching posts to dish stands and a Scandinavian bed platform, these stylish structures will take care of your pet's needs while preserving your interior décor. Best of all, each of these 20 easy-to-build DIY projects can be made in just one weekend, and without any special skills or costly tools! The pet-friendly projects inside DIY Projects for Cats & Dogs You don't have to be an expert do-it-yourselfer to pamper your pets. All you need is a little patience, a little creativity, and the beginner-friendly guidance inside DIY Projects for Cats & Dogs !

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Crafts

128 pages, Paperback

Published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic inspirational book for the dog and cat lover! So many great projects and ideas. Whether you are a DIY novice or experienced expert there is something for everyone. Love the images and easy to follow directions. My cats have never been so spoiled. A great book for yourself or a gift to the budding DIY cat or dog fan. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy of this book. All review opinions are my own and completely unbiased.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun DIY book! Will have a blast making these easy projects — 20 total you can do in a weekend — including a secret litter box, cat tree and bowl I can do as a klutz without froufrou tools! 5/5

Thanks, NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing, for the early copy. Opinions are mine.

#DiyProjectsForCatsAndDogs #NetGalley

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, easy to use book with step by step photographed instructions for DIY beds and so on for cats and dogs. The idea is to save money, to feel a sense of accomplishment and to end up with something nicer than what you could buy at the pet shop. The main tools used are sandpaper, screwdriver, drill- all fine- and a jigsaw, which is a little more intimidating. However, the projects come with difficulty ratings, handy hints and tips, and warn you in advance what tools you will need. It also gives you approximate costs for the materials.

[Free ARC from NetGalley]

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book of DIY crafts for (you to make for) your cats and dogs. There is a cat unbalance - only six dog projects versus 14 cat projects - although some of the projects could be used for both kitties and puppies.

Patterns looked achievable, instructions were clear, photographs were very helpful. Overall, a cute gift for the DIY loving pet owner.

*eARC Netgalley*

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a different book at my library but saw this one on the shelf and had to check it out! 😺🐶 I love that there's a visual index in the beginning and projects are rated for difficulty. Several projects would be easily doable with only a basic power drill since many home improvement stores will make straight cuts for you at a nominal fee or even free with the wood purchase - the raised pet bed on the cover for example. Others would need a few more tools but all projects seem simple enough for any maker with just basic skills. There are some fun ideas here for the dog and/or cat lover. 💕

[OneDayI'll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent collection of various projects for your pets. Mostly bed frames, enclosures, and feeding stations. I don't think the bike basket would be a great project simply because the possiblity of your pet being poked by the clipped wires would be pretty high. If the ends were trapped within a frame and it had a hinge lock or slide lock it would be better. That way no exposed metal wire to scrape and stab at pets. I'd also suggest wall anchors for many of the cabinet style projects so no tip overs onto pets or kids. Hence the lower stars.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of great, simple projects with straightforward instructions. The projects for cats (trees, litterbox cabinets, perches) are definitely more sophisticated looking than some of those for dogs. If you're looking to get into simple carpentry, this is a great starting point!

I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The projects are easy enough for a beginner.

I question the use of OSB (particle board) as a design element. I also wouldn't use it for my pets because of possible outgassing. (Depending on your source of information, OSB shouldn't be used in living spaces or is perfectly safe due to a negligible amount of outgassing. But I choose to err on the side of caution.)

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Netgalley for review:

This is a fun book of projects, either for your own furry friends or as gifts. The projects are not really intimidating (which is nice, I admit I have read some DIY pet furniture books that expect me to a be a lot more handy with different kinds of power tools beyond what I consider basic) but these require pretty basic tools and supplies. My only real complaint (such as it is) as the style is not really for me, much more a function over form giving it a very distinct look but not one I am as into, granted most of these are easy to fix with paint and such. I do wish there had been a more complex cat tower, I know if I built the one in this book for my cats they would destroy it!

[Books In Brogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty basic book not really any unique ideas for projects you can find any of the project for free on the internet.   But if you like the step by step instruction this would work for you.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pleasant book to page through, looking for fresh ways to pamper our best friends. Most of the ideas and projects are quite simple and can be accomplished with a minimum of skill and materials. Most are low on a decorator scale, but would work functionally.
Common sense and knowledge of your own companion pet must play an important role in which project you'd wish to undertake.

[Cobagibu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I am a long time cat owner who was hoping for either ingenious uses for already bought items or ways to create cat shelves or unique ideas.

Checked this out of the library to try out before buying, glad I did... saved me the money.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many great ideas!

[lamia⋆｡°✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

these projects are actually decent and affordable...i guess im about to become a bob the builder bf for my foster cats 😭✍🏽 💪🏽🔨 🪵

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I seen this on NetGalley, I knew I had to review it. I am well known for being a crazy cat lady, and therefore, I am always on the lookout for new fun and exciting things for my two male cats. It's easy to always want to spoil your cats, but its hard not to have to spend a fortune while doing it. This book was wonderful for this problem. Each project tells you how hard it is, and also the estimated cost for the supplies. I found so many interesting, and creative projects in this book, and will definitely be asking my fiance to help me build them. Lovely! A great gift for all the cat and dog lovers in your life.

I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The projects in this book are adorable and functional. I am not crafty at all, but am going to attempt one or two of them.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some really great projects in this book. The kindle format isn't the best, but you can definitely read through the entire book. Everything has pictures to go with it & easy to follow directions. The tire bed is adorable and a great idea!

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

DIY Projects for Cats and Dogs: 20 Easy-to-Build Creations for Your Best Friend by Armelle Rau and Pierre Legrix offers readers 20 simple projects that they can make in just a weekend, without any advanced skills or special tools. From a cat tree and a hide-away litter box to bowl stands, leash racks, and a Scandinavian bed platform, these stylish structures will take care of your pet’s needs while preserving your interior décor. Built and pet-tested by the authors in their own home, each imaginative creation features step-by-step instructions, materials lists, and inspirational color photographs. Projects include litter boxes, dog house, bowl stands, bed platforms, travel basket, cat tree, leash rack, bedside table cabin, and more.

DIY Projects for Cats and Dogs has a nice variety of projects, some of which I found to be completely not my style but some which I would gladly spend the time to build and put in my home or give to family for their pets. I found the instructions and photographs to be very well done, and easy to understand. I like that while some tools are necessary to get the work done, they are all tools that the average home (at least the home of anyone reading a book about building) are likely to own or have access to rather than crazy specialty tools. The book is well balanced with projects for cats and dogs, with a variety of styles and function. As an animal lover I know I will be storing away some of these ideas for a later date, and will sadly never actually get around to making any of these, I think they are accessible and understandable instructions that anyone with the interest and motivation to make these projects will be successful.

DIY Projects for Cats and Dogs is a well written and organized resource for handy pet lovers. I think this might be a book I would borrow from a library rather than buying, only to check out when ready to get to work, unless you plan on making a full collection of the projects for your home, and for your family and friends.