How to Heat Dog Houses
- 1). Locate your dog's house in a sheltered spot out of the wind. If possible, position it in a sunny area for the winter. Elevate it on concrete blocks to lift it up off the frozen ground and allow for air circulation under and around it.
- 2). Seal any cracks between the wooden boards with wood filler to keep out the damp and the drafts. Paint the dog house black to better absorb the sunlight and radiation.
- 3). Insulate the walls. Purchase a double-walled plastic house with a cushion of air between the panels, or fit insulation material between the outer walls and a new inner wall of plywood. Caulk the edges and the joints inside and out to waterproof the house.
- 4). Install insulation on the floor in the same way, as the majority of the dog's body heat will be lost through the base. Add a layer of carpeting or straw. If your dog has short hair or is elderly, a commercial heating pad can be placed under the carpet to keep the interior at a steady temperature.
- 5). Cover the entrance. Make a hatch or flap using a clear piece of thick plastic or a section of heavy carpeting. Hang this over the doorway for the winter and remove it when the weather warms up.
- 6). Install a heater. Buy and install a commercial, wall-mounted pet heater, or make a light box using a metal box with a heat lamp inside it. A pet air conditioning system is a more expensive alternative, but will deliver warmth throughout the winter and will cool the house in summer.
- 7). If your dog needs more comfort than straw or carpeting, buy a heated dog bed. This also will require a power supply, but will dry out any moisture the dog brings in. Blankets retain the damp and are difficult to dry out.
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