Well, I don’t know why I waited so long for my first concrete project! Even though is didn’t turn out perfect… it was so easy to make and did turn out AWESOME! Plus, I learned a ton that I am going to share with you so your 1st concrete project turns out better than mine!

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So let’s get started. Here are the supplies you are going to need:

• 1 bag of concrete - I got a 50lb bag of fast setting concrete, but I don’t think the type really matters for this project.

• Molds - I got mine at the Dollar Tree, but you can use really anything that you have depending on the size and shape of your dog bowls.

• Dog Bowls

• Dust Mask - Concrete dust is not something you want to be breathing, so always wear a mask. Safety first!

• Vegetable Oil - This is to help prevent the concrete from sticking to the mold or dog bowls.

• Stir Stick

• Rocks - This is to hold the dog bowls into place while the concrete cures. I would recommend smaller rocks than I used so that it is easier to distribute the weight evenly.

• Optional - Tape Measure to make sure both bowls are going to be roughly the same height. I got lucky in that the molds I bought had lines already on the sides for easy measuring.

First step was to determine how tall you want your dog bowl holders. I only waited to raise Oscar’s bowls up a few inches, so when I found a good height I made a mark all around the form as a guide to help me know how full to fill it with concrete.

Next, generously apply vegetable oil to the inside of the basket mold and to the dog bowls. Be sure to get plenty of oil under the lip of the dog bowls.

Now, mix the concrete with water. The first bowl I did I mixed it per the instructions and it made it kind of dry and harder to work with, but manageable. So the second one I added more water and mixing was a breeze, but the dog bowl wanted to float more so it was harder to get the bowl to stay level.

Be sure to tap the sides of the bowls to release any air bubbles. You can also use an orbital sander to shake the bowl and release the bubbles. I didn’t use a sander just tapped by hand and the first bowl where I used less water had more air bubbles or divots in the concrete. Whereas the second bowl had way fewer bubbles and was definitely more smooth. So that was an advantage to using more water as well.

I don’t have any pictures of this step, but I recorded it for a YouTube video. Click here to watch me make these.

Also, next time I would probably cut my mold down so that it would make it easier to smooth out the top of the concrete. I used my fingers and it looks good, but is definitely a more rustic look.

This is the aftermath. I used just over a half of bag of concrete. Now we wait about 48 hours for the concrete to cure. You don’t want it to dry too fast… so you can always wrap a plastic bag around it. If it drys too fast it can crack. I didn’t do this and didn’t end up having any problems.

When it came time to de-mold the concrete slipped right out of the plastic mold, but the metal dog bowl was a little more difficult to remove. I think I didn’t put enough oil on the dog bowl, especially under the lip. So, be sure to apply the oil generously to the dog bowl.

To get out I ended up using a chisel to slowly release the metal bowl. Once I got a little air in there it just popped out.

Then I sanded the edges to get rid of any sharp spots.

And lastly I added a coat of sealer. Even though Oscar won’t be eating and drinking directly from these bowls I thought the sealer would make them look nicer and wouldn’t make clean up easier if anything get spilled on them. I used a paver sealer that I had on had from when I sealed my living room floors. But I think you could use a polyurethane or even paint yours to fit your dogs personality!

I did put some felt stickers on the bottom of the concrete holders so they don’t scratch my floors.

I love how the DIY Concrete Dog Bowl Holders turned out. Oscar didn’t seem that impressed but he is a touch crowd! hahaha.

Another added features is that Oscar can’t tip over his food or water bowl anymore… so less mess is a win too!

I hope you enjoyed this project as much as I did! And if you do end up making some of your own I’d love to see a pic! Thanks for following my building journey! Remember Build LOUD, Build WILD and have an AWESOME day!

Sadie Mae

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