Does your dog spend most of his time outdoors? A dog house may just be the right answer for your dog as it provides a safe and quiet place for naps, an escape from the external elements and a personal space for your dog to call home.
For people who already own one, buying a dog house or upgrading to a better option can be a piece of cake. But for the newbies who have no clue about what to look for in a dog house, this could be a tedious task. Fortunately, this guide provides you all the relevant information you’ll need to do your homework before you go buying your pet a place it can call ‘home’.
Things To Consider When Buying A Dog House
Size
There are few things one should consider before deciding to buy a dog house. The most significant one would be finding the perfect size. This of course depends on the size and breed of your dog; you want your dog to be able to fit in easily, move around, stand up straight and have enough room to lie down and stretch, hence size is an important factor in deciding the perfect dog house for your pup.
Material
Once you’ve decided on the size, you may want to check all your options regarding what material will fit your needs and lifestyle best. If you're someone who is always on the move with their dog, a portable tent would be a considerably good option to keep in mind as it allows you to pack and move on the go easily with your pet. The other options are wooden and plastic dog houses.
This decision relies on your budget, weather conditions and how long your pet will stay with you. Wooden ones are usually more realistic and give the feel of a real house, providing better protection against external elements like rain and storms and offer great insulation, however, they are a tad bit expensive as compared to plastic which is cheaper, has a lot of designs available and is pretty lightweight to easily carry around and change its location.
Heating And Cooling System
Another important factor to check for is the heating and cooling system. This can be a major concern if you live in extreme climates which are either too cold or too hot. Hot weather conditions affect the inside of the house, making it sticky and wet and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus that tends to grow in such places. Providing insulated walls with air space between inner and other layers will limit the buildup of bacteria and moisture in the dog house. It is crucial that you keep a check on the insulation in case your pup is a chewer and chips it off the wall. Contact the ER immediately if such a situation arises.
In case of low temperature, you need to be sure you can provide supplementary heating for your dog house. It should be noted that the bigger the dog house is, the colder it’ll get as dogs can only provide a certain amount of heat to keep themselves warm, anything below that would be a risk to the dog’s health. It's a good thing that the pet market is brimming with additional solutions to provide heating and cooling resources for your pet’s well-being. Heated dog beds and kennel mats are some resources available in the market to keep your dog’s temperature in place during cold weather conditions. You can also check out some innovative options and get creative!
Will Your Pet Approve?
One key element that most pet owners completely ignore is how your pet may feel in a dog house. Whether it would be happy to be shifted from home to a tiny space outdoors? For most pets, home is a safe and comfortable zone for them and allows them to be part of the family. Having to stay outside for longer hours may also lead to anxiety for being separated from its family and build up confusion. It may also create a feeling of unease and discomfort as it might think of this as some sort of punishment to have been stripped off its title as a family member and pushed out to be living alone.
For most pets who are accustomed to living inside the house, this could be disruptive and you will have a hard time training them to stay in the dog house. Their faces will mostly be gloomy and teary-eyed. However, to make the dogs feel more at home in their new space, you can load it up with their favourite toys, water bowls, kennel mats, their food and maybe a clothing item of yours so it can smell you around and feel connected. This helps create a motherly environment for the pups to feel safe. In case of small puppies, make sure the opening is slightly higher so they are less likely to jump out.
To sum it up, the best dog house is one that provides comfort and safety to your pet when you are not around. It should not strip the pup of their bond with its owner and should in no way be the only option for it. Dogs are very social, therefore they should be kept away and outside only when the family is not available to take care of them. They can enjoy certain hours outside but they should not be made too accustomed to living outdoors on their own or they’ll build a layer of loneliness around them and would have trouble socializing again.
FAQs
Which dog breeds make better dog house residents?
Regardless of their breed, age or gender, dogs should not be left to spend long hours outdoors and should be able to enjoy their time inside with family. Most dogs such as the labradors, golden retrievers etc are more active, playful and strong, hence they can survive outside easily, however older dogs and puppies require more attention and care as they are prone to get sick if left unattended for longer hours outside.
Can we purchase a dog house online?
The basic rule of online shopping is to check your merchant’s reviews and positivity rate. You might even come across some great bargains online. Remember to make sure they have an exchange and refund policy in case you might want to change it later due to size issues or your dog decides not to live in it. Assess your options thoroughly before making a purchase.
Should I get a warranty with my dog house?
Yes. It's advised to have a warranty if you’re directly purchasing it from a vendor or an online merchant in case there is any defect or repair needed, the warranty can cover it for you.