An indoor dog house can keep your pup toasty warm in winter and cool and comfortable in summer, providing protection from insects and other dangers.
Begin by sketching your blueprint on graph paper. Adjust its measurements to accommodate for your dog’s specific length and height measurements.
Measure and cut two-by-four lumber base pieces to fit their frames using weatherproof screws, before attaching them.
1. Choose a Good Location
Your pet needs a cozy place to rest during winter, when their fur is thicker and temperatures can become harsher. Additionally, having their own space gives your pup a sense of security and independence that may help alleviate separation anxiety.
Your dog house should be situated in a sunny location with a flat surface beneath, to avoid moisture build-up and drafts. Sand or gravel added around and beneath it for drainage may help reduce rotting while simultaneously warming up its floor surface and helping it remain warmer for your pup!
When purchasing a dog house, it’s essential that it fits the breed of dog you own. At minimum, it should allow your pup enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably – as well as include consideration of how often he or she spends outside.
If you live in a hot climate, additional measures of insulation might be needed for your dog. Fans can help bring cool air in, while installing air conditioners will keep their temperatures comfortable during summertime.
During wintertime, you can use a fan to push hot air out of the house and provide basic insulation such as foil-backed foam boards – just be sure that any materials used as insulation are nontoxic as certain substances may prove lethal to dogs if eaten by them!
Another way to insulate a dog house is with bedding such as straw or cedar shavings, which will also help keep the ground warm during winter and cooler during summer – great for joint health! Additionally, raising up the dog house might prevent it from being covered in snowfall and will make cleaning it much simpler.
2. Insulate It
Utilizing insulation of the appropriate type can keep your pet warm and cozy in both hot and cold weather conditions, and will prevent rapid fluctuations of temperature that could be uncomfortable or even harmful for their wellbeing.
Insulation is especially essential if you use a plastic dog house, as plastic does not serve as an effective insulator in freezing temperatures and could become uncomfortable quickly. Luckily, there are various effective solutions available to insulate plastic dog houses to ensure that your pup remains happy and cozy throughout winter.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to insulate a dog house is with wooden panels, providing an easy and economical means of insulation. Just be sure to apply a high-quality water sealant prior to installing them inside your pup’s dwelling.
Glass wool insulation can also provide great insulating material for dog houses. You might recognize this pink stuff from around your own house; it is relatively affordable and straightforward to install. However, be mindful that asbestos fibres can become airborne and cause skin irritation for pets, therefore make sure that any fiberglass insulation installed inside their dog house is covered by a layer of tarpaulin to avoid direct contact between it and their furry pal.
Reflective insulation provides another form of thermal protection by reflecting heat rather than absorbing it, making it cost-effective and easy to find at most hardware stores. But keep in mind that any form of insulation may become damaged over time by moisture or wildlife intrusion – for this reason it is wise to regularly check your dog’s home for leaks or holes.
Spraying expanding foam on your dog’s house is another easy and cost-effective way to insulate it – creating a thick layer of insulation at an affordable cost and easy installation process. Just make sure it is pet-safe as some types can be toxic if eaten!
3. Keep It Clean
No matter our efforts, dogs tend to create a lot of mess in our houses – even with all our best intentions! Shedding, getting dirty and leaving fur behind are inevitable; therefore having effective protocols in place to clean up after them before any potential damage can occur will save a great deal of stress and headache in the long run. Learn to keep their nails trimmed (or have professional do it), invest in good mops and vacuums designed specifically for pet hair, keep toys off of floors as much as possible, invest in good pet wipes which work like baby wipes would work perfectly when quick cleaning tasks!
4. Keep It Safe
Anxious dogs especially benefit from having their own space where they can find comfort and safety. Dogs are natural den animals who like to retreat into small cave-like spaces for restful naps or restful restorative sessions as well as muffle some noise around them. A dog house offers them this security, giving them somewhere safe they can go when feeling overwhelmed by life outside.
Make sure your pet’s house is the appropriate size and offers ample insulation, to prevent overly cold winter temperatures and overly hot summer temperatures from penetrating too far into their dwelling. A material like western red cedar provides excellent value when it comes to insulation; plus its oils act as natural tick, flea, and termite repellants! Consider installing wooden floors into their house so the ground doesn’t freeze during winter.
If your area experiences snow or rain frequently, a dog house with a roof will protect your pup from getting wet and cold. Furthermore, adding food and water dishes into the house is another good way to keep food and beverages away from wet and cold surfaces where they could rot quickly; additionally, keep the floor slightly off of the ground to help prevent it from rotting while keeping warm inside their own space.
If you plan to heat a dog house, adding vents is an excellent way to ensure air can circulate and prevent overheating for both you and your dog. Furthermore, placing it somewhere that doesn’t receive direct sunlight may help it remain cooler longer; during summertime you could also add cooling pads so your pet remains cool and comfortable.