Winters can be so stressful to the dogs. Temperatures drops so significantly during this season such that the dogs undergo some stress. Dog owners are then faced with a choice of providing a good, warm house for their dogs. The question is which house is best for the dog during this time? This article is going to look at seven types of the houses for a dog during winter time. Each house type is going to be researched on properly for your best decision. The guide is equipped with the most current information which you should know before making an informed decision. Read through.
Reviews of the 7 Best Dog House for Winter
ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace with Floor Heater
A premium dog house fitted with insulated walls, ceiling and a self-closing door. It is excellent in protecting the pet against harsh weather conditions such as cold and rain water. The dog is assured of maximum warmth because it is equipped with a heated floor. It is equipped with a 4 inch raised floor to keep the dog warm during winter. It can also be used during other seasons of the year. Despite the above excellent features, there exist some few challenges that must be considered before buying the house. Here is a list of pros and cons for your consideration.
Things We Liked:
- Has a heated floor which supplies warmth to the entire structure making the dog to feel warm during winter
- Very easy to assemble. Most parts are supplied when they are already pre-fitted. It only needs some sort of screwing together parts. It is held together by eight screws. Anyone can do the assembling
- Large in size. Can accommodate more than one dog. This therefore means that if you own more than one dogs, you will still save on the cost of buying a new house for each dog
- Insulated floor and door to help in reduction of heat loss to the environment. This leads to the saving of power costs
- Self-closing door, so when you forget to close it after you, there is no worry as it will just close itself off
- Has insulated panel to prevent heat loss
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Though it can hold more than one dogs, it may not be a good idea to have so many dogs in there. They may quarrel all the time
- The house consumes a lot of power given that winter can last for up to three months. It therefore means high power costs have to be incurred
ASL Solutions DP Hunter Dog House with Floor Heater
Provide your dog with the best house for the tough winter season. This house is designed to make the dog warm and comfortable during the times when the weather conditions are unfavorable. The house is built with form insulation both on the walls and the ceiling. Fitted with self-closing door for maximum protection, and what is more is that it has a transparent window to allow the dog have an outside view. There are a few demerits about this house, which definitely cannot outweigh the positive attribute. Have a look at pros and cons below.
Things We Liked:
- Insulated door, walls and windows for reduced heat loss and maximum heat retention
- Enhanced capacity to cater for more than one dog. This leads to costs savings in acquisition of extra dog houses
- Raised heated floor for minimum contact with the cold ground. During winter time, the ground is covered by snow and ice making it too difficult for the dog to withstand. Raised floor ensures that the floor is dry and warm all the time
- Floor heater provided as part of the housing unit. This provides the dog with extra warmth
- Fitted with adjustable window panels which are also enhanced to be self-storing
- The door is self-closing so you won’t need to worry just in case you forget to close it behind you
- It has been created for durability. It can serve you for quite a number of years. Many generations of dogs can use the same house for some good amount of time
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Needs frequent cleaning since the dog stays in for as long as the winter period persists
- Not advisable to keep many pets inside. Should you be having a good number of pets, you will have procure more than one house
ASL Solutions Insulated Dog Palace
Equipped with appropriate height, this dog house is quite ideal for your playful pets. The house is excellent in keeping off the cold weather and water from the house. Fitted with a heating device to ensure that the house is warm and dry all the time. It is no doubt that the dog will fall in love with this habitation. The goodness of this dog house outweighs any negative attribute that may be available. Like most of the best dog house for winter, this particular one is insulated for maximum protection of the pet.
Things We Liked:
- Sufficient housing space to cater for some number of dogs. They can even play in it
- Insulated walls, floor, ceiling, door and windows for minimized heat loss and enhanced heat retention
- Self-closing door for automatic shut off when the dog is either in or out. The door has to remain closed to prevent heat from escaping
- Ventilation provided for circulation of fresh air and escaping of bad odor
- Fitted with a raised and insulated floor to:Drain away water and leave the floor as dry as possible.To provide a warm sleeping area for the dog.
- Germ prevention interior to keep away bacteria which causes bad odor and stains to the house interior
- Clear window to give your dog an external view while it is resting inside
- Heated floor for maximum warmth to the dog. The dog is always on the floor hence it is exposed to warmth all the time
- Durable for a very long period of time
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Consumes a lot of power in order to keep the environment warm all the time
- Though the ventilation is provided, it is not sufficient for the dog since it is quite small opening on the door
Confidence Pet Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House
This is made of plastic for maximum durability and warmth. The use of plastic makes it waterproof under all conditions. Plastic too is tampered by the cold weather, though not all the times. There are times when it succumbs due to heavy ice. This is not a common phenomenon however, because plastic is always known to exhibit strength. It is quite easy to assemble and retains the heat for a good amount of time. Despite these positive attributes, you won’t miss some criticisms about it. However, it is made for perfection.
Things We Liked:
- Very easy to assemble. Parts have been designed to fit one another. Screws are used to attach very few parts to one another. Assembling can be done by anyone without much trouble
- It has an enhanced interior size so as to give the dog a large space to live and play in
- Fitted with an extra-large door for ease of entry. Large dogs particularly will not have trouble in getting in or out of the house due to the door size
- Made of material that can withstand the test of time. In essence, the whole house is quite durable. It can be used for many generations. Plastic material are not easily affected by weather because of its chemical composition
- It is insulated to retain the heat for a very long amount of time. Keeps the dog warm throughout the winter period
- Insulated for maximum warmth
- The interior is not susceptible to attack by dirt stain causing bacteria and odor
- Raised floor to allow for draining of water and keeping the environment dry for your dog to enjoy
Things We Didn’t Like:
- The door is not self-closing hence the dog might end up being exposed to cold
ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace
Treat your dog with the best model house during winter. This house is insulated for double protection against cold temperature, rain water and wind. It is equipped with raised floor capable of draining water when it accumulates in the house. The house is spacious and comfortable for the dog. It is fitted with a self-closing door which ensures that the dog is protected all the time. The door has window which allows the dog to view the outer world. Here is a list of pros and cons.
Things We Liked:
- Large interior to give the dog an extra space for playing
- Insulated for maximum heat retention and reduction heat loss. The floor, wall, door, window and the ceiling have all been insulated
- Fitted with both self-closing door which has a window to view the exterior world
- Warranty has been provided over the entire lifetime of the house. It caters for the cracks and some other damages as might be caused by the harsh cold weather
- Durable exterior for maximum usage. This leads to eventual cost savings in terms of purchasing a new house
- Raised heated floor to keep the environment dry and warm. The heat from the insulated floor supplies the much needed warmth to the interior of the house
- Ventilated for the supply of fresh air and escaping of bad odor within the house
- Fitted with a heater to supply warmth all the time
- Made for medium sized to large sized dogs
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Not suitable to keep a number of pets inside. It can cater for one or two dogs only
- Consumes a lot of power which may be costly in the long run. It needs power for as long as the winter persists
Climate Master Plus Insulated Dog House w Door
This is an insulated dog house for perfect conditions inside the house. It is created to cater for the extra-large dogs that cannot fit in any other dog house. Most importantly, it is pretty useful all year round since it is usable in all seasons. Well ventilated to provide adequate fresh air for the pet friend. It also has an extra-large door to allow the dog to move in and out freely. The house is quite spacious to allow the pet to turn around. Transporting it however can be a major challenge. Have a look at the pros and the cons below.
Things We Liked:
- Ideal for very large dogs with the weight range of around 200 to 250 lbs. Recommended for large dogs only
- Insulated for heat retention and to prevent cold from creeping in to the dog house
- Created with both large internal and external dimensions for maximum comfort of the dog. It has extra space for turning and playing
- Fitted with an extra-large door to cater for the size of the dog. The dog can get in and out without stress
- Well ventilated so as to provide fresh air and fresh environment for the dog
- Heated from the floor so as to keep the dog warm all the time
- Raised and insulated floor to keep the environment warm all the time, and during summer, it reduces the temperatures caused by excessive heat
- Multipurpose house which can be used for all the seasons
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Can only accommodate one dog at a time. It won’t be possible to fit two large dogs in one single dog house
- It is quite heavy meaning that portability of the house is highly restricted. Challenges are bound to happen if moving from place to place since it is heavy to carry it around
Petmate Indigo Dog House
An all year round whole purpose dog house designed to give the best protection to the pet. It is very spacious and comfortable for any dog occupying it. It is fitted with an extended doorway which is useful in keeping off rain water and winds from reaching the dog while inside. For the supply of fresh air, the house is ventilated so as to keep the air circulating freely. With very limited number of demerits, this house definitely is ideal for your pet. The following are the pros and cons about the house.
Things We Liked:
- Made to prevent its interior from the growth of bacteria which is responsible for development of odor and stain in the house
- Excellent housing for larger dogs. It is ideal for larger dogs as it provides it with enough housing to live and play in
- A multipurpose house that can be used in all seasons. During winter, it keeps the dog warm and during summer, it keeps the temperatures just cool. This is an ideal house just for all the seasons of the year
- Raised floor to drain off water and keep it dry all the time
- Fitted for ventilation for fresh air supply all the time
- Heavy duty construction to maintain warm temperature during winter
- It has been designed for maximum dog comfort. Additional accessories for this brand can be bought and fitted to the original house
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Can only accommodate one large dog at a time. If you own more than one dog, you will require the equivalent number of dog houses
- Extra components not provided at the initial purchase can be bought at an extra fee. This makes it more expensive for dog owners. It is necessary though in some instances
The Buyer’s Guide
There are million and millions of brands of dog houses worldwide. Sometimes choosing what is best for the dog or for yourself could be a terrible problem. The features of the houses look almost similar. This is partly because all are created for the same purpose. However, the features are distinctive because they are made differently and by different suppliers. So what do you need to know before settling for a dog house? Here is a list for you.
1. The size of the dog
Dogs range is size. Some are large, others are medium while others are small. There are designs for all these dog types. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy a house created for a large dog for small dogs. This is unless the dog is growing in size. It is however a good idea to buy the same house if you intend to accommodate a number of small dogs in it. It is not however recommended that you keep a big number of pets under one roof as it may cause more problems health wise.
2. The size of the dog house
When buying or building the house, take in to consideration its size. Remember if your dog is a puppy, it grows with time. It won’t therefore suit you to spend money and time to create a house that the puppy would outgrow in some months’ time.
Always consider that a dog needs some good space for all its activities within the house. The smaller the house, the higher the chances that the dog will not be comfortable. It will even end up rejecting the house. When you build or buy a house, ensure that it is taller by about 10 inches in height and wider by about 15 inches by width.
3. Ability to retain the heat
During winter, the temperatures are quite low. They can even reach -10°F depending on the region. To sustain the warmth of the house, it has to be heated. A good house should then be able to retain heat for a maximum amount of time. To cater for this, most of the houses have an insulation in all the angles of the house. Always check to confirm if the insulation has been fitted and that it can keep away cold while retaining the heat. Bear in mind that saving in terms of retaining heat by the house is savings in terms of cost. The house should also maintain a dry environment.
4. Consider the weather and the season
There a lot of dog houses. Many people are not aware that a house may only be useful during certain seasons of the year. For winter seasons, ensure that you buy a house which can sustain the heat suppled while at the same time keeping off water and cold from attacking the dog. Also bear in mind that winter ice can break down a house or just crack it. The house which you buy therefore should be able to withstand the harsh climatic conditions of the season.
There are dog houses which are useful in all the seasons of the year. If you can acquire that, then the better for you. A good house should provide ventilation for the dog for it to enjoy the fresh air at all times.
5. Ability to add accessories
If you want to have your dog enjoy extra comfort, then you have to add in some accessories to the house. These accessories are sold separately different from the housing unit. Whenever you want to buy a house, please confirm if it has the capacity to accept additional accessories. Some of them do not allow for such while others allows only limited amount of accessories. It is worth to note that not many dog houses are designed for these adjustments, hence the choices are always limited when it comes to this feature. The good thing is that they are available in the market. A good example is the Indigo Microban Dog House.
6. Provision of warranty
Winter moments are always harsh. Ice usually accumulates around objects causing it to reel under the heavy weight. The cold weather also causes elements to contract in response to the environment. If you are lucky enough, the house will remain standing without any fracture especially if the material used in making is not quite strong. In most cases though, these houses are made of strong durable material, but what happens in case they do not survive the harsh climatic conditions? Always insist on warranty for the house. Get to know what the warranty covers and for how long. Stay informed always to avoid exposing your dog to cold weather just in case of break down.
7. Portability
If you are a frequent traveler, you have to have the dog’s house in your mind. Some dog houses are too huge to carry while travelling. Others are just perfect for travelling. Check your timetable to find out if you are traveling anytime soon. Many transporters such as airplanes do not allow large amount of luggage in the plane. A house such as Master Plus Insulated Dog House is never perfect from traveling on plane. This is unless you have a special arrangement with the airline, at a small fee of course. You can however move it around in a truck. This may however prove to be time consuming.
8. Germ Prevention Interior
This should be one of the exceptional quality to look for when buying a dog house. Dogs in nature produces some odor. This odor has to be eliminated in order to keep the environment as clean as possible. Bacteria on the other hands tends to attack the house where pets live. This is a challenge that can be eliminated by investing in the right type of a dog house. There are dog houses which are fitted with germ protection technology. This technology works well when ventilation is also provided in the house. A dog house such as Insulated Dog Palace is fitted with this technology.
9. Ease of assembling
A dog house need not be complicated to put it up. At times it may be difficult to get someone to assist in putting it up, hence you should be able to do it by yourself. Luckily, most of them fit each other when parts are placed against one another. Some few parts will only be tightened with screws of which in many cases, less than ten screws are needed to complete the task.
All the manufacturers provide the manual for the users to follow through the installation. There is a clear guide in the manual for step by step procedure of how to assemble the dog house.
10. The construction composition
In most cases, the houses are built of plastics and then they are insulated. However, this may not prevent the harsh cold all the time. Where possible, try to invest in a housing unit that is double insulated both on the interior and the exterior. This will provide the dog with maximum amount of heat throughout the winter. Such a structure will also be able to retain heat for the longest time possible. The effect is that it give the dog an added sense of comfort. Most of these houses are available in the market but they come at an added cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What parts of the dog house does warranty not cover?
We have to appreciate the fact that there are many manufacturers of the dog house. Depending on the house which you settle for, you will need to confirm with the manufacturer. Most of the dog houses especially for use during winter are made to endure the harsh climatic conditions. Many of them are made of tough plastic which is not easily susceptible to break down hence you do not have to worry much about it. In fact not many people claim the warranty because the houses rarely break down. One assurance though is that warranties are provided.
2. Is it advisable to have dogs share a house?
If you have trained your dogs to share a house, it won’t be a big deal to let them share a habitation. Remember that it also lead to saving of costs. Some dog houses are however meant for one dog, especially the big dogs. Where possible, provide enough housing for your pets.
3. Is it possible to use a solar powered system for the dog house during winter?
Winter is the time when temperatures range around zero degrees. At this time, even spotting the sun in the sky is quite impossible. It might therefore be a challenge to use a solar system to power a dog house during winter. With the improvement in technology however, there are those solar systems that works at the exposure of light. The light is not necessarily from the sun, but just from the environment. If you have such a system with you, then you are good to go. In fact it is a sure way to minimize electric costs.
4. Can a wooden dog house function well during winter?
Yes it can function well. You have to insulate well so as not to let the cold weather in. The house will also require a heated mat or a heated floor so that it can be able to maintain and retain heat for the longest time possible. Wood is not a good conductor of heat and with the right mechanisms, it can retain heat for long.
5. Why is it necessary to raise the floor of the dog house especially during winter?
This is motivated by three factors namely:
- During this time, the ground is extremely cold. Since the floor is always in constant touch with the ground, chances are high that it will transmit coldness to the dog.
- It helps in draining out water which accumulates in the dog’s house. The floor should be kept at least dry all the time so that the dog can enjoy comfort.
- To accommodate the heating system which is fixed in the floor. Raising the floor provides room for this system to be installed properly.
It is not ideal to keep the dog in the house which is not raised. It won’t be under the best conditions as well as lack of comfort.
6. Is it a good idea to build a house for the dog using locally assembled material?
First of all, can you build the house to the required standards? If you can, then well and good, you can build one. Dog’s house need to be built to perfection, trying as much as possible to avoid defects. Winter period is tough for dogs. A small problem in the house may cost the dog much of its health. Whenever possible, it is a good idea to buy a house from the shop rather than making one locally. New ones are made to perfection, and even have a warranty for any defects.
7. How long does a dog house used especially in winter last?
Winter is a harsh season. It weakens even the hardest of the dog houses. It may not lead to instant breakdown but wears out over time. With a good care and proper service, a dog house can last up to four generations of a dog. It is not however automatic that is will last for that long. Everything depends on the surrounding environment. Much also depends on how you handle the house itself. You may also need to clear ice if any around the dog’s house so as to prevent it from damaging it.
8. Should you accommodate the dog in your house (indoors) during winter?
That would be an excellent idea. If you are okay with it, you can always let the dog share a room with you. In most cases, your house is quite warm as compared to that of the dog. In this case, you can let the dog enjoy the warmth of the house. It will make him happier and comfortable. You are advised not to forget about the dog house even as you share a room with your pet. This is because you may end up having difficult time to retrain the dog again to start living in its house.
Conclusion
Many companies have come up with varieties of dog houses. This means that you have a wide range of houses to choose from. Falling for one that is not optimal for your dog is quite easy. Always carry out a market survey before committing your money. Confirm warranty issues as well as the important needs of the dog. Check to confirm whether the house can give a comfortable environment to the dog during the times of extremely low temperatures. Where possible, invest in a house which can be used during winter times when temperatures are very low and summer time when it is very hot.