How to Heat Dog Houses

In U.S. states where it gets cold in winter, local laws usually stipulate that if a dog is kept outdoors, the owner must supply it with shelter from the weather. This includes a dog house large enough for the dog to stand up in and be able to stretch out. The house should not be much bigger than this, since the dog needs to retain body heat. It should have a wind flap on the door, and clean, nonporous bedding such as straw. However, you have many ways to make your dog's house warm and welcoming.

Things You'll Need

  • Concrete blocks
  • Insulation material
  • Plywood
  • Caulking
  • Carpet or straw
  • Carpet or plastic flap
  • Pet heater, light box, heating pad or heated bed (optional)
  • Power cable (optional)
  • Cable protector (optional)
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Instructions

    • 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.