If you have a dog, it’s probably had one or two “accidents” already. This is totally normal! But what happens if the accidents continue? Learning how to make a dog diaper out of objects you can easily find around your house can help ease your situation.
Wearing a dog diaper may cause fear and anxiety for your pup. But, with the right materials and a gentle attitude, your dog will be comfortable wearing a dog diaper in no time – and you’ll have a lot less cleaning to do!
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make a dog diaper using a sock, pee pad or shirt. While you can purchase dog diapers from the store, knowing how to make one can help in an emergency.
Before you scroll down this guide, “How to Make a Dog Diaper Out of a Sock, Pee Pad, or Shirt,” you can check out these other dog guides: Dog Diaper Rash. What Should I Do? and Best Diapers for Dogs in Heat.
What are Dog Diapers?
Dog diapers are similar to diapers that humans use for infants or the elderly. They are excrement and urine-catching pads made of absorbent material. The only difference is that dog diapers are made for dogs. For this reason, they will obviously fit differently than a human diaper. For example, they usually have an opening for a dog’s tail.
Please remember that you should only use dog diapers for incontinence. You should not use dog diapers because you don’t want to let your dog out for a walk. We also do not recommend using dog diapers for house training, as it will only delay your dog’s progress by causing confusing about where it can and cannot relieve itself.
Why Do Dogs Need Diapers?
Although it may seem weird at first, your dog might require a diaper for a number of reasons, such as:
Marking
Some dogs are much more eager to mark their territory than others, especially in places where you don’t want them to. You can avoid additional damage to your house by having your dog wear a diaper while you’re out of the house and not around to monitor where it lifts its leg.
Incontinence
Whether due to illness or aging, several dogs find it difficult to “hold it in.” If your dog is experiencing incontinence, you should speak with your veterinarian first to discuss your options. They may suggest doggy diapers as part of your action plan, as they are great at controlling mess and preventing damage to your home.
Heat Cycles
Like humans, female dogs that haven’t been spayed get their periods regularly. It’s useful to use doggy diapers when your dog is in heat to conceal or catch her blood. Doing this allows your pup to remain with the family rather than being isolated in a cage or pen.
Injury or Infection
Dog diapers are useful for capturing spills and preventing your dog from licking any areas that must be protected because of an infection or an injury. Instead of having to wear an e-collar, diapers allow your dog to live more comfortably while it heals.
How Do You Make a Diaper Dog Out of a Shirt?
It’s simple to make a dog diaper from a t-shirt. You don’t even need to have sewing experience! All it requires are some pins and an unwanted old T-shirt. Cotton T-shirts are best since they are more porous and thus absorb best.
We also suggest using a shirt with short or three-quarter-length sleeves, as this makes it simpler to hold the diaper securely. Lastly, check that the clothing fits your dog properly. A beagle might require a size small shirt, whereas a German shepherd might need a medium.
Step 1:
Place the shirt flat on the ground. The floor or a desk will do as well.
Step 2:
Turn the shirt inside out. Next, fold the left third of the shirt towards the center so the sleeve’s seam is centered below the neckline. Make sure the sleeve itself is still loose. This is important, as you’ll use the sleeves to close the diaper. Do the same with the right side of the shirt.
Step 3:
Fold the top of the shirt down so that it’s in-line with the sleeves and forms a “T” shape.
Step 4:
Take the bottom part of the shirt and fold it in half towards the center of the shirt.
Step 5:
Wrap the diaper around your dog’s bum by laying the “bottom” of the shirt on top of your dog’s backside and slipping the top and sleeves between their legs. Next, take each sleeve up your dog’s side and connect it to the bottom of the shirt using safety pins.
Step 7:
Use scissors to cut a hole for your dog’s tail.
How Do You Make a Dog Diaper Out of a Pee Pad?
In addition to the pee pad dog diaper being disposable, it’s also very simple to make! This option is best for larger dogs.
Step 1:
Measure your dog’s waist and add six inches to whatever number you get. For example, if your dog’s waist is 18 inches, add 6 to this number, for a total of 24 inches. You’ll want to find a pee pad that is at least as wide as this number.
Step 2:
Cut the pee pad into an hourglass figure. You’ll want the top and bottom of the hourglass to be the number you calculated in Step 1.
Step 3:
Fold the hourglass in half and cut a long hold where the fold is to create an opening for your dog’s tail. This will allow them to poop without dirtying the diaper.
Step 4:
Put your dog’s tail in the opening you’ve created and put the diaper on them like you would a regular diaper. Fasten the diaper using tape, pins, or Velcro.
How Do You Make a Dog Diaper Out of a Sock?
This DIY dog diaper is made from an old sock, which almost everyone has lying around. It’s a simple and creative fix that works best for tiny breeds.
Step 1:
Use an ankle sock. To start, make one hole on each side of the sock, closer to the heel. These will be for your dog’s hind legs.
Step 2:
Next, cut a hole in the heel of the sock for your dog’s tail. You may need to have the dog try the sock on so you can see exactly where the tail will line up.
Step 3:
Put the sock diaper on your dog, placing their hind legs in the side holes and their tail in the center hole.
Step 4:
For extra absorption, take the toe of the sock and tuck it into the sock opening (around your dog’s waist) and under. You can also insert a sanitary pad or something similar.
Choosing the Right Dog Diaper
While you might assume that all dog diapers are the same, there are some minor variations that you might want to take into account when choosing.
Disposable vs Reusable
Disposable diapers are less expensive per diaper, but over time they mount up because you have to keep replacing them. They’re also more harmful to the environment.
On the other hand, reusable diapers, although more costly upfront, will end up saving you more in the long run. They are also more eco-friendly. However, washing them is a necessary but occasionally unpleasant task.
Reusable diapers are a fantastic, reasonably priced, and ecologically responsible solution if you are dealing with a dog who has urine incontinence. However, we advise using disposable diapers if your dog suffers from fecal incontinence.
Dog feces carry harmful bacteria. As such, you will not be able to wash them in the washer and dryer and it is not recommended that you wash them by hand. So, use disposable diapers to reduce your exposure to dog poop.
Note: Dog excrement contains bacteria known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal disease, dehydration, and kidney disorders in people, while dog pee contains dangerously high levels of ammonia that can be inhaled. Hence, always wear gloves when changing your dog’s diaper.
Male, Female, or Unisex Diapers
You can get dog diapers made exclusively for male and female pups. This is mainly because male dogs can make do with a belly band if they are only experiencing urine incontinence. A belly band encircles the stomach and covers the male dog’s urethra to collect pee without needing a full diaper.
However, female dogs and dogs that also require a diaper to handle excrement must have a full diaper. There are also unisex dog diapers.
We recommend choosing a diaper that fits your dog’s specific incontinence issues the best.
Fit
The diaper you select for your dog won’t be very comfy if it doesn’t fit well. An ill-fitting diaper is also more prone to leak, which defeats the diaper’s goal in the first place. Make sure to read size charts and measure your dog for an ideal diaper fit.
If your dog does not have a tail, you can tape up the hole at the back so that it won’t leak.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re in a bind and don’t have doggie diapers on hand, you can quickly make a DIY dog diaper using an old sock, a t-shirt, or a doggy pee pad.
Lots of people opt to use human diapers on their dogs instead of doggy diapers because they are less expensive. Just remember to cut a hole for your dog’s tail!
A dog should only wear a diaper overnight or for a long time if it is absolutely necessary. Leaving a dog in a diaper could cause a rash or other health problems. Consult a veterinarian before using diapers on your dog.
Now You Know How to Make a Dog Diaper!
Now that you know how to make a doggy diaper, all that’s left to do is get to it! Remember that these diapers are not meant to be a permanent substitute for dog diapers, so be careful in how often you use them.
If you find this guide, “How to Make a Dog Diaper Out of a Sock, Pee Pad, or Shirt,” helpful, check out these other related guides from our team:
- How To Make a Calming Collar for Dogs?
- How to Make Homemade Dog Anti-Chew Spray?
- How to Make a Dog Gain Weight Fast in 7 Ways
You can learn more about dog diapers for your dog by watching “DIY DOG DIAPER | TIPID & SIMPLE DIY GUIDE” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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