A quilt for a new puppy?

[Beth A.]

Our newly married son and his wife in Austin, Texas just responded to a call from the local animal shelter to help locate homes for their animals so they could take in the animals displaced by the raging fire in the area.

They adopted a new puppy (6 months old), and it is their first dog.

I would like to make a quilt for the puppy, but, as someone who has never owned a dog, I'm wondering if certain batting, etc. might be better than others for a dog quilt.

Can anyone help?

BethMI

[Nancy R.]

I think you can use any materials that you want. Just be ready for the puppy to rip up your quilt. That's just what they have to do! I don't think you have to worry about material content. Most dog toys are filled with polyester fiberfill, so polyester batting should be fine. You might want to stay away from invisible thread since it seems like that might cut a dogs mouth, but I've had a lot of dog toys that were sewed with invisible thread so I don't think that's a big problem. Enjoy your new grand-puppy!

[Beth A.]

Thanks! That sets my mind at rest so I can JUST DO IT!

BethMI

[Beth A.]

I second Nancy's observation that the puppy will probably chew the quilt to shreds - or at least the corners. They tend to grow out of chewing their bedding by about 12 - 18 months (if your lucky) So don't be precious about it - it will be loved to death - literally. Hope you get to enjoy some time with it too.

[Beth A.]

They are in Austin and I am in Michigan, so I will likely not see this dog much. But I wanted to give them a "baby gift."

BethMI

[Beth A.]

Beth,
I hate to put a damper on your enthusiasm but, find out what breed it is and then check with a vet. I have a neighbor that had to get her dogs stomachs operated on because it always chewed on stuffed toys. They found out that the stuffing never exited the dogs body and eventually cost them close to $2000!!! And they almost lost their pet. I had a quilt for my animals and never had any problems, a few chews but they ever consumed vast amounts. I used cotton batting and that was back in the day when there was no scrim of any kind to keep it together, so it probably could get digested,, an option to true batting would be top, back, and a piece of flannel fabric for the batting. It would be all cloth and they'd be able to see if the puppy is just chewing or actually tearing chunks and swallowing. Their dog was a 'spuds mckenzie', I do t know the proper bread name though.
I wonder if you used heavy weight, outdoor type upholstery fabric and they could get wood shavings to fill it with if you put a zipper on an end. The puppy would have a comfy bed that could sleep on.
Just a thought,
Luann

[Nancy R.]

Hi Beth -
Luann is right. Bad things can happen. But I hope you don't let this put you off from making a quilt for the new puppy. Instead, I hope you take it as a warning to your kids to watch the puppy whenever they give him anything to make sure he doesn't rip it up and eat it. That's true for all kinds of toys, beds, etc. And for things you don't give them like electical cords. Puppies are like babies -- everything goes into their mouths and you have to watch them. But I still think you can make the quilt out of whatever materials you have at hand. It's very common for quilters to put bindings on their practice pieces and give them to the Humane society for the dogs and the Humane Society and the dogs are very happy to receive them.