Give your pets a well-deserved treat while upcycling some household goods with our budget-friendly hacks. There’s a tip, trick or craft for everything and here at Take a Break, we have the best of them. Over the years, our readers have shared their very best tips and tricks to keep their pooches pampered, cats coddled, and garden birds overindulged.
Check out our gallery for our five favourite brainwaves.
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Take a Break's favourite 5 pet-inspired brainwaves
1 of 5Paw-lympic Games
When my new kittens needed a scratching pole, I decided to make them one. I wrapped fur fabric around the seat and legs of an old stool I had and secured it tightly with string. Then I hung old toys, key rings, shoelaces and balls of wall from the seat of the stool. The kittens love playing with it and it's stopped them from scratching my furniture.Carol Stone, March, Cambs
2 of 5Stringing them along
Guinea pigs Squeak and Doodle were getting dehydrated in the hot weather, so I threaded some slices of juicy fruit and vegetables on to a string and hung it on the frame of their enclosure. Not only did it ensure they were hydrated but it kept them entertained. Laura Fisher, Southampton, Hants
3 of 5Fleece, perfect fleece
I had some old fleeces I was going to throw out. But instead I decided to use the material to make coats for my dogs. First, I created a pattern to follow. Then I cut the fleece to size and sewed the pieces together. So far I've made 20 coats for my Bichons, Bebe, Zoe and Dilly. Not only do they help to keep my dogs nice and warm, they're machine washable and better for the environment. Carole Holmes, Bramcote, Nottingham
4 of 5Don’t worry, be WRAPPY
I had an old pair of pyjama bottoms but instead of throwing them out, I cut two triangular pieces of fabric from them and sewed them together. Once they were joined, I folded over the top edge and sewed that into place. It made the perfect bandana for my Schnoodle. She's called Noodle and loves wearing her bandana around the home and on walks. Clare Turner, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
5 of 5Spoon feeding
I needed a new bird feeder for my garden and decided to use an old sweet jar to make one. First, I made four small holes along one side using scissors. Then I slotted two small wooden spoons into two of the holes and left the other two free for the seeds to fall through. Then I screwed a hook onto the lid to hang up the feeder. The birds love pulling the seeds out while perching on the spoons. Peter Hallam, Swinderby, Lincolnshire