Pet Christmas DIY: 16 Festive Projects That Make Dogs and Cats Part of the Holiday

Pet Christmas DIY projects are the sweetest way to make sure the furry members of your family feel the magic too. Dogs and cats do not care about price tags. They care about a warm bed by the tree, a toy that smells like home and a little extra attention while everyone is busy wrapping gifts. The good news is that most of these ideas use felt, fleece, cardboard and old sweaters you already have. None of them need special skills, and many take less than an hour. We kept every project pet friendly too, so you will not find tinsel, glass or treats with risky ingredients here. Grab a cup of coffee, call your pet over for moral support and pick the project that makes you smile first..

Pet Christmas DIY Starts With a Felt Tree Cat Cave

This is the project that made the whole internet melt. A cat curled up inside a tiny green Christmas tree is pure joy, and one short video of it on YouTube passed 64 million views. You can make your own with thick felt and a cone of cardboard. Cut a round door, glue on soft felt ornaments and add a cushion inside. Your cat gets a cozy hideout, and you get the cutest tree in the house. Do not be surprised if the dog wants one too..

You will need: Thick green felt, a large cardboard cone or poster board, fabric glue, a small round cushion, colored felt scraps.

How to make it: 1. Roll poster board into a wide cone and tape it. 2. Cover it with green felt in layered scallops and cut a round door. 3. Glue on felt ornaments and slide a soft cushion inside.

Pet Christmas DIY Stocking From an Old Sweater

Every pet deserves a stocking, and an old sweater makes the coziest one. Trace a stocking shape on the sweater, cut two layers and stitch or glue the edges. Keep the ribbed cuff of the sweater as the top of the stocking for a ready made trim. Add a felt paw print or bone patch and stitch your pet’s name in yarn. Hang it low so they can sniff it on Christmas morning. It is the kind of handmade touch that guests always notice. Which old sweater in your closet is ready for a second life?

You will need: An old sweater, a paper stocking template, scissors, fabric glue or a needle and thread, felt scraps, yarn.

How to make it: 1. Place the template on the sweater with the cuff at the top and cut two pieces. 2. Glue or sew the edges together, leaving the top open. 3. Add felt patches and stitch on a name with yarn.

Cardboard Gingerbread House Cat Bed

Cats love a box, so why not turn one into a little gingerbread cottage? Paint a sturdy shipping box tan, draw on white icing lines with paint, and add felt candy shapes to the roof. Cut a round door and a window, then tuck a soft blanket inside. This Pet Christmas DIY costs almost nothing and makes the best photo spot of the season. When the holidays end, the box can go in the recycling and your cat will happily move on to the next box. Is your cat a box lover too?

You will need: A large sturdy cardboard box, tan and white craft paint, felt scraps, fabric glue, a box cutter for an adult, a small blanket.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts a door, a window and a pointed roof from extra cardboard. 2. Paint the house tan, then add white icing lines and dots. 3. Glue felt candies on the roof and line the floor with a blanket.

No Sew Fleece Holiday Scarf for Dogs

A fleece scarf is softer than a bandana and only takes ten minutes. Cut a long strip of plaid or holiday print fleece, fringe the ends with scissors and loop it loosely around your dog’s neck for walks and photos. Fleece does not fray, so there is no sewing at all, which makes it a perfect first Pet Christmas DIY. Make a matching one for yourself and you have the easiest twinning photo of the year. Always keep it loose enough to slip two fingers under, and take it off when your dog is alone. Which color would suit your pup best?

You will need: Holiday print fleece, sharp fabric scissors, a measuring tape.

How to make it: 1. Measure around your dog’s neck and add 12 inches. 2. Cut a strip about 4 inches wide to that length. 3. Cut 3 inch fringe on both ends and tie it loosely.

Rope Candy Cane Tug Toy

Turn plain cotton rope into a striped candy cane that dogs love to tug. Braid red and white cotton rope together, tie tight knots at both ends and bend one end into a hook with a short piece of rope tied in place. It looks festive under the tree and gives your dog something to do while you open gifts. Cotton rope is soft on teeth and easy to wash. Always play together and toss it once it starts to fray. Ready to make your dog’s favorite present?

You will need: Red and white cotton rope, scissors, a measuring tape.

How to make it: 1. Cut three 3 foot pieces of rope, two white and one red. 2. Knot them at one end, braid tightly and knot the other end. 3. Bend the top into a hook and tie it with a short scrap of rope.

Felt Ornament Catnip Toys for a Pet Christmas DIY

These little felt toys look like ornaments, but they are made for batting around the floor. Cut stars, trees, mittens and ornaments from felt, stitch two pieces together and fill them with a pinch of catnip and some stuffing. Cats go wild for them, and they make sweet gifts for friends who have cats too. Hang a few on a low branch of the tree for decoration and then hand them out on Christmas morning. Felt toys are quiet, soft and easy to make in an evening. How many shapes will you cut?

You will need: Felt sheets, embroidery floss and a needle, dried catnip, a little fiberfill stuffing, scissors, paper templates.

How to make it: 1. Cut two matching felt shapes for each toy. 2. Stitch around the edge with a simple running stitch, leaving a small gap. 3. Fill with stuffing and a pinch of catnip, then stitch the gap closed.

Popsicle Stick Pet Photo Ornament

Every family tree needs a picture of the pet who runs the house. Glue four craft sticks into a square, paint them red or green, then glue your favorite pet photo behind the frame. Add a tiny felt bow and a loop of twine. Kids can make this Pet Christmas DIY in a few minutes, and these little frames become treasured pieces you pull out every year. Make one for each pet, even the ones who are no longer with you. It is a small way to keep them part of every Christmas. Which photo of your pet always makes you laugh?

You will need: Craft sticks, craft paint, a printed pet photo, white glue, twine, felt scraps.

How to make it: 1. Glue four sticks into a square frame and let dry. 2. Paint the frame and add dots or snowflakes. 3. Glue the photo to the back and add a twine loop and a felt bow.

Plaid Bow Tie Collar Slide

A plaid bow tie turns any everyday collar into a holiday outfit. Fold a rectangle of plaid fabric into a bow, wrap the middle with a thin strip and sew a loop on the back so it slides onto the collar. No glue touches your pet, and it slides off in a second. Dogs look dapper, cats look adorable, and every Christmas card photo gets an upgrade. Make a few in different plaids for the whole month. Keep it on only while you are around. Will your pet wear red plaid or green?

You will need: Plaid cotton fabric, a needle and thread or fabric glue, a strip of elastic or fabric for the back loop, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Fold a 5 by 6 inch fabric rectangle into a tube and flatten it. 2. Pinch the middle and wrap it with a thin fabric strip. 3. Sew a loop on the back wide enough for the collar to slide through.

Pet Christmas DIY Advent Box of Toys

Kids are not the only ones who can count down to Christmas. Fill a box with 12 or 24 little paper bags or envelopes, each one holding a small toy, a ball or a chew your pet already loves. Number them, open one each day and watch your pet learn the new morning routine. It is a fun Pet Christmas DIY for kids to help with, and it keeps pets busy while the house is full of holiday chaos. Skip anything with chocolate or sugar free sweeteners. Will your pet get a gift every day this year?

You will need: A shallow box, small kraft paper bags, a number stamp or stickers, small pet toys and safe chews your pet already eats.

How to make it: 1. Number the bags and line them up in the box. 2. Fill each bag with one small toy or a safe chew. 3. Fold the tops closed and open one bag each morning together.

Fleece Tie Blanket, a Cozy Pet Christmas DIY

A fleece tie blanket is the easiest cozy gift you can make, and pets love it as much as people do. Layer two pieces of holiday fleece, cut a square from each corner and cut fringe all the way around. Then tie the top and bottom fringe together in knots. No sewing machine needed. Put it in the pet bed or on the sofa where they nap. It washes beautifully and will last for years of winter naps. This one is also great for kids to help with on a snowy afternoon. Where does your pet love to nap most?

You will need: Two pieces of fleece about 1 yard each, sharp fabric scissors, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Stack the fleece pieces and cut a 4 inch square from each corner. 2. Cut 4 inch fringe about 1 inch wide around all sides. 3. Tie each top strip to the bottom strip under it in a double knot.

Paw Print Gift Wrap With Washable Paint

Want gift wrap that nobody else has? Let your pet help make it. Roll out plain kraft paper, brush a little washable, non toxic kids paint on a soft sponge and gently press your pet’s paw on the paper. A few prints in a row look adorable, and it might be the most personal Pet Christmas DIY on this list. Wipe their paw clean with a damp cloth right away. You can also make the prints with a paw shaped sponge stamp if your pet is not a fan. Wrap gifts for grandparents with it and watch them smile. Would your pet sit still for this one?

You will need: Plain kraft paper, washable non toxic kids paint, a sponge, a damp cloth and towel, or a paw shaped sponge stamp.

How to make it: 1. Tape kraft paper to the floor. 2. Dab paint on a sponge and press the paw onto the sponge, then onto the paper. 3. Wipe the paw clean right away and let the paper dry before wrapping.

Gift Box Cat Bed by the Tree

Every cat owner knows the empty gift box is always the best present. Make it official with a sturdy box wrapped in festive paper and a soft folded towel inside. Cut down one side so it is easy to hop in and out, and add a big fabric bow to the back. Set it near the tree so your cat has a spot of their own and leaves the ornaments alone. For more tree tips, our pet proof Christmas ideas help keep curious paws safe. What is the best box your cat ever claimed?

You will need: A sturdy box, festive wrapping paper, packing tape, a soft towel or small blanket, a fabric bow.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the box and its walls in paper, taping inside the edges. 2. An adult cuts one side lower to make an easy entrance. 3. Fold a towel inside and tie a fabric bow on the back.

Holiday Food Bowl Mat

A cute mat under the food and water bowls keeps floors clean and makes the feeding spot feel festive. Cut a rectangle of thick felt or an old placemat, then glue on felt holly, snowflakes or bones. For a wipe clean version, glue holiday fabric onto a cork board and seal it with clear coat. Put it down in December and your pet’s corner of the kitchen joins the celebration too. It is a quick Pet Christmas DIY that you will use every single day. Does your pet’s corner need a little holiday cheer?

You will need: Thick felt or an old placemat, felt scraps or holiday fabric, fabric glue, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut the mat about 2 inches bigger than the bowls on every side. 2. Cut holly, snowflakes or bone shapes from felt. 3. Glue the shapes around the edges and let dry flat.

Felt Holly Collar Cover

A collar cover is a soft felt band that slides over your pet’s regular collar. Cut a strip of green felt with a scalloped edge, sew a sleeve on the back and stitch on little felt holly leaves and red pom berries that are sewn on tight. Skip jingle bells, which can be chewed off. This Pet Christmas DIY takes about half an hour and makes everyday walks feel like a parade. Make one for Thanksgiving next and start a little collection. It is one of those tiny projects that brings big smiles. Which pet in your family will wear it first?

You will need: Green and red felt, a needle and strong thread, small red pom poms, scissors, your pet’s collar for measuring.

How to make it: 1. Cut a felt strip 2 inches longer than the collar and twice as wide. 2. Fold the back edge into a sleeve and stitch it. 3. Sew holly leaves and pom berries on firmly.

Pet Christmas DIY Scratcher Tree From Cardboard

Give your cat their own tree to scratch so they leave yours alone. Cut cardboard into long strips, roll and glue them into round layers that get smaller toward the top, and stack them into a tree shape. The rolled edges make a perfect scratching surface. Add a felt star on top and a sprinkle of catnip. It looks like a cute rustic tree on the floor and gives your cat a happy job. It may even save your real tree. Could this be the peace treaty your tree needs?

You will need: Corrugated cardboard boxes, a box cutter for an adult, white glue, a ruler, a felt star, dried catnip.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts cardboard into 2 inch wide strips. 2. Roll and glue strips into round discs in sizes from large to small. 3. Glue the discs in a stack like a tree and top with a felt star.

Soft Felt Reindeer Antlers for Photos

For the holiday card photo, a soft pair of felt antlers is all you need. Cut antler shapes from brown felt, stuff them lightly and stitch them onto a soft elastic headband. Add two small felt leaves and a fabric berry. Put them on for a few minutes, snap your photos with a treat in hand and take them off right after. Some pets love it and some pets do not, so let your pet decide. Of every Pet Christmas DIY here, the photos from this one will make everyone smile for years. Is your pet ready for a holiday close up?

You will need: Brown felt, a little stuffing, a needle and thread, soft wide elastic, green and red felt scraps.

How to make it: 1. Cut four antler shapes and stitch them in pairs, stuffing lightly. 2. Sew the antlers to a soft elastic band sized loosely for your pet. 3. Add felt leaves and use them only for short, supervised photos.