DIY Heated Doghouse

When winter comes, many dogs are already equipped to deal with the cold thanks to their thick winter coats. But if you live in a colder climate, have a short-haired breed, or your dog suffers from a condition such as arthritis that could be made worse by cold weather, you may want to consider building a heated dog house.

  1. Structure

    • Give your dog's house a proper foundation, which allows for proper circulation of air. Just like your own home, your dog's home should have a slanted roof to keep the weather out and allow snow and rain to run off. The door should face away from the prevailing winds and the house should be placed so that it is in the sun for the maximum amount of time in winter. You may wish to make the house mobile so that it can be moved into the shade in the summer. You may also consider a hinged roof for cleaning purposes. The doorway should be covered in winter to keep out drafts. The house should be just big enough for your dog to turn around comfortably and stretch out, but not much larger; the dog's body heat will help to heat the interior of the structure.

    Materials

    • If you have building materials such as siding, insulation, brick, 2X4 timbers, plywood and nails leftover from building your own home, you can incorporate these into the construction of your pet's home in order to make the doghouse match. Concrete blocks can be used for the foundation. Roofing shingles will effectively keep rain off the roof. The home should be double-walled with insulation in between to keep out the cold; use good insulation like fiber glass home insulation, sheets of closed cell foam or Styrofoam.

    Heat

    • Bedding can be a major source of heat for the dog's home. Start with an electric heating pad meant for pets that can be turned on in winter. Place blankets or cedar chips over the pad. Cedar chips have an advantage in that they repel fleas. Avoid using hay or straw, which can attract mold and mildew. A high-voltage light bulb placed in the doghouse can also add heat to the structure.