8 Cool DIY Dog Cart Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
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Some breeds were bred to pull, whether pulling a sled across Alaska or a loaded cart through the Alps. At the same time, some dogs need extra wheels to get around because they’ve lost the use of their hind legs. Whether you’re looking for a new activity for your pup or a way for them to regain some lost mobility, a cart could be just what you’re looking for. Because carts of all types can be expensive, you might be interested in making your own. Check out these 8 DIY dog carts you can build today!
The 8 DIY Dog Cart Plans
1. DIY PVC Dog Cart by Sonic
| Materials: | Two wheelchair or bike wheels, 1-1/4” PVC pipe, ¾ “ PVC pipe, elbow joints, Y fittings, tees, PVC glue, 1-1/4” wooden dowels, 5/8-inch threaded steel, 3” carriage bolts, 3” eyebolts, 1” screw eyes |
| Tools: | Saw, drill, file, wrench, measuring tape |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
This simple pulling cart is made using sturdy PVC pipe. It’s designed to be easy to break down and transport, making it ideal for traveling to competitions or work locations. This project doesn’t require complicated tools, but attention to detail and patience are necessary to ensure everything fits together appropriately.
The plans describe how to modify the wheel size and shaft placement based on the size of the dog doing the pulling. The instructions are thorough and include photographs to illustrate the important steps. This project shouldn’t be too complicated for someone with some DIY experience.
2. DIY Dog Cart from a Folding Bicycle Trailer by Instructables
| Materials: | Folding bike trailer, 2 bamboo poles, 8 dog leashes, 6 dog collars, 2 eye screws, PVC/electrical tape, yarn, liquid fabric glue, |
| Tools: | Saw, scissors, drill, measuring tape |
| Difficulty: | Easy-moderate |
This DIY cart is made by repurposing a folding bike trailer. Because the bike trailer can still be used for its original purpose with modification, this project is ideal for someone who already owns one. Besides the bike trailer, you don’t need many supplies or specialized tools.
The directions for this project are detailed and well-illustrated with photographs. The original poster also describes how they modified their dog’s harness to make it more comfortable for pulling. Even beginner DIYers should be able to accomplish this project.
3. DIY Tandem Dog Cart by Fsf
| Materials: | 5/8” MDF, 2×4 studs, 1 x 8 hardwood boards, 2 26” bicycle wheels, ½” conduit (2) ¾” conduit, 1 ½” #8 screws, 4” framing nails, primer, spray paint, 5/16” washers, ½” rubber chair leg tips, ½” hose clamps, cotter pins, 3” x ¼” screw hooks, ¾” chain, carabiners |
| Tools: | Circular saw, miter saw, hammer, drill, electric screwdriver, conduit cutter, flat file, pipe bender, socket set, pliers |
| Difficulty: | Hard |
If you have two dogs who love to pull, why not make this tandem dog cart so they can both enjoy the fun? This project is best for more experienced DIYers because it requires specialized tools and skills. It also involves several materials and detailed steps to complete.
However, the plans are very thorough and easy to follow, which should make things a little easier. There are also directions on building an optional spoiler for the back of the cart to make it look fancy. According to the original poster, teaching two dogs to pull together may be complicated, so be prepared once this project is complete!
4. DIY Box Style Dog Cart by Bmdinfo
| Materials: | ½” plywood, 20” wheels, ¾” axle, 1” aluminum tubing, ¾” aluminum tubing, 5/16” eyebolts, 3/16” eye bolts, 1” rubber tips, 1 1/2” aluminum angle, ½” aluminum U channel, ¼” x 2” bolts, ¼” hex nuts, 3/16” x ½” bolts, T-nuts, self-tapping screws, paint or stain |
| Tools: | Miter saw, circular saw, paintbrush, drill, pencil, screwdriver, metal cutting tool, measuring tape, pipe bender |
| Difficulty: | Hard |
This box-style cart looks like one you can purchase commercially. However, you should know it takes a lot of work to make something that looks this professional. This project is best for those with DIY experience. It requires specialized tools like a pipe bender and miter saw and skills like working with metal. The directions for this project are very detailed and include blueprints for visual guidance. You’ll also find tips for keeping this cart well-maintained, allowing you to extend the life of this project.
5. DIY Cart from a Kid’s Wagon by Wags This Way
| Materials: | Kid’s wagon, 1” PVC pipe, PVC glue/primer, angle connectors, T or cross connectors, rope or carabiner |
| Tools: | Hacksaw, tape measure, drill, pliers, level, sandpaper, |
| Difficulty: | Easy-moderate |
This cart is made by converting a standard kid’s wagon and adding a pulling frame. It’s a great option for people just starting with carting to see how their dog feels before investing in a more expensive cart. This project doesn’t require expensive materials or tools, especially if you’re converting a wagon you already own.
The video tutorial is very detailed, including demonstrations of measuring your dog and creating a custom-sized shaft frame. You can easily convert this back into a kid’s wagon if necessary.
6. DIY Mobility Cart for a Small Dog by Mark Lapid
| Materials: | Lawn mower wheels, axle nuts/bolts, T connectors, L connectors, PVC pipe caps, ½” PVC pipe, Velcro, PVC glue, |
| Tools: | Hacksaw, tape measure, drill, rubber mallet, |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This simple and inexpensive mobility cart was designed for a French Bulldog but should fit any small dog of similar size. It’s made using PVC pipe and is light and easy to assemble. This project should be easy even for someone with no DIY experience. The video tutorial is easy-to-follow, and you only need simple tools to make this mobility cart. Based on the video, this cart is mobile enough for the dog to play with kids and other pets. Dog wheelchairs can be expensive to buy, so why not try this project?
7. DIY Mobility Cart with Seat by HowToLou
| Materials: | Lawn mower wheels, 3/8” threaded rod, 3/8” lock nuts, ½” PVC pipe, elbow connectors, T connectors, PVC cement, duct tape, |
| Tools: | Hacksaw, tape measure |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This mobility cart is one of the simplest and least expensive versions we found. The only tool you’ll really need is a saw and tape measure. It requires minimal materials, and the video tutorial is straightforward and easy to follow. This cart is designed for a smaller dog, but the presenter explains how to modify it for a larger dog by using thicker pipe and substituting lawn chair webbing for the seat. For larger dogs, you’ll have to do your own measurements, but this cart is so simple to make that a bit of trial-and-error shouldn’t be a problem.
8. DIY Mobility Cart with Metal Frame by HoneyBadger WoodWorks
| Materials: | Wheels, ¾” conduit, harness, tie downs, side-release buckles, adjustment clips, D-clips, exercise rubber, fabric strapping, single-mount clamps, washers, bolts, ½”bolt or threaded rod, |
| Tools: | Hacksaw, tape measure, pipe bender, knife, pliers, tape, drill, |
| Difficulty: | Moderate-hard |
This mobility cart is modeled after one you would purchase commercially. It’s made using aluminum conduit instead of PVC pipe, so it’s still light but more durable. This DIY cart features a built-in harness and support straps. It requires a couple of specialized tools to make the project go more smoothly, but it can be accomplished without them. The tutorial is very detailed, including suggestions for where to purchase materials and how to measure the dog who’ll be using the cart. This project is best for a DIYer with at least some experience.
Final Thoughts
These DIY dog carts help you get your dog moving in more ways than one! Pulling and walking in a mobility cart may initially be stressful for your dog. Talk to your vet about strategies to teach your dog to use a mobility cart. Look for dog carting groups or organizations in your area that can help you train your dog to pull a cart. Remember that not every dog will enjoy pulling a cart, even those breeds that should be genetically inclined to the task. Make the training process fun for your dog but be ready to call it quits if your pup doesn’t seem to enjoy the experience.
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Featured Image Credit: Anke van Wyk, Shutterstock
