Dog Kennel Guide

If your dog spends his nights indoors then you have probably never given a thought to what would happen if you needed to put him outdoors to sleep.  It is not just a simple case of moving the kennel that he has always used in the kitchen out into the garden.  You will need to provide him with an insulated dog house to ensure that he doesn’t get hypothermia in the cold winter weather.

Wooden dog kennels are the most naturally insulated dog kennel as wood is a warm material.  Not only this but it is a simple matter to increase their level of warmth even further.  First tack some insulating felt to the walls and ceiling and then place a layer of chipboard over the top of this, keeping it securely nailed in place.  Some people also add false floors to their dog kennel to give a further layer of warmth beneath the dog as the cold can seep in from the ground below.

If you are building the kennel from scratch then you can make sure that your dog is particularly snug by using insulated dog house plans.  These are easy to find on the internet and are totally free of charge to use.

Though wooden kennels are the most well known type of insulated dog kennels there are also plastic kennels which have been designed specifically with outdoor use in mind.  These are a relatively new idea which is rapidly catching on.  Produced with a raised floor and a layer of insulating foam between the outer and inner shell these features, as well as a cat flap style front door, make them a great contender when considering which kennel to buy.  They also have the added advantages of being easier to clean than wooden dog houses and not needing wood treatment each year to stop them from rotting.

Of course if you live somewhere that the temperature falls drastically at night then you might need more than insulation to keep your pet warm.  Luckily there are quite a few dog accessories on the market to help solve this problem.  Firstly, there are quite a few different items of clothing that can help your dog to maintain his body heat.  These range from pyjamas to dog sweaters and can be bought relatively cheaply online or at your local pet store.  As well as dog clothes there are heated dog beds, which maintain a regular temperature all day long.  The only issue with using one of these is that you will need an electricity supply to plug it into.

So, if your dog is whining and shivering in his dog house during the winter months then consider looking at insulated dog houses as a solution to your problem.

Making the decision to get a dog is very exciting.  Which breed will you get?  Will it be a puppy or a rescue dog?  These are the first things that you will be thinking about.  However, there are other more practical issues that also need to be considered.  To make your dog as comfortable as possible there are a variety of accessories that you might like to buy.  A dog kennel will make your dog feel secure and safe, as if he is in a den, and water and food bowls are a must.  On top of this you will need a lead and some toys and, very importantly, you will need to do some research into plastic dog beds.

Your dog’s bed needs to be made of a tough, durable plastic which can withstand a bit of chewing and is resistant to taking on doggy odours.  If you live in a very hot area, or else have a dog who gets particularly overheated when he’s done some exercise then you might want to buy a bed which has air vents in it or one that is slightly raised off the ground to allow air flow around it.  Owners of plastic dog kennels might want to see if they can find a bit which has been specially made to fit within the kennel as this will prevent wasting any space.

If your dog is mostly kept outdoors then you probably have a nice, insulated dog kennel for him.  Plastic dog beds will add to the insulating properties because they will add another layer between your pet and the cold ground beneath the kennel.  The bed will also help to keep the interior of the kennel clean as it is easily taken out and washed down.

The fact that they are plastic ensures that these are also waterproof dog beds.  This means that if you dog lies in it while he is wet that the water won’t end up all over the floor and can easily be wiped up.  If you have a young dog who is prone to little accidents that you will also stop your floor from being covered in urine!

Plastic dog beds generally come with rubber feet, to stop them slipping, as standard and a range of custom fit cushions to choose from.  They come in a huge variety of colours so you can choose one that fits in well with your decor!