If you decide to build a dog house for your pet, you need to ensure it is as comfortable as possible. Your furry friend should be excited to spend time there, regardless of the outside weather. Furthermore, a dog house should keep your furry friend away from harm.
First of all, you have to adequately equip your pet’s house to withstand the weather changes. It should be ventilated enough for summer and sufficiently insulated for winter. Secondly, you need to consider adding some essentials inside to make your dog instantly fall in love with its new place.
Below, you will find a list of super cute outdoor dog house ideas and essentials it should feature. These include but are not limited to a dog house furnace, your pet’s favorite toys, vinyl flaps inside the door, elevated floor, or off-center door.
Continue reading to learn more about building a comfortable home for your dog!
Dog House Furnace
Making your dog’s house warmer during winter is arguably one of the best things you can do for your pet. Consequently, if you live in a cold area, you might have to create a heated dog house. It is the best way to provide your canine companion with suitable living conditions during the colder months.
To do that, you need to install a small furnace inside it or use a small space heater instead. If you have no idea how to build a furnace for your dog’s house, you can purchase one from a pet store and assemble it together with the dog house.
Once you have done that, all you need to do is plug the cord into an ordinary wall outlet or an outdoor generator. On sites like 10PowerUp, you can find generator reviews that will help you choose the right one for you.
Insulated Dog House
Dog houses with insulated walls are a good choice when you want to provide your pet with a warm place to sleep during winter. However, although many people think building a dog house with insulated walls is pretty straightforward, the process is actually labor-intensive. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you are dedicated enough to complete the project.
When building a dog house with insulated walls, you should use several different materials, such as styrofoam, for the insulating layer and exterior plywood for the outside layer. Sufficient insulation will prevent cold drafts and enable you to use less wood for the project.
Ventilation
Dog houses with windows are excellent for both indoor and outdoor dogs. Not only do they provide light and ventilation, but they also give your pet the feeling of being outdoors, which many dogs enjoy. Plus, they add to the home’s general appeal.
To add ventilation to your dog’s house, you need to build a window on one of the sides of the house, which is usually facing south. However, if you are not comfortable with this idea, you can cut out a few holes in the walls instead. It will not be as effective as installing a window, but it will work nonetheless.
Vinyl Flaps
Installing vinyl flaps inside the door is another way to keep the interiors of your dog’s house warm during winter. Vinyl flaps will serve as extra insulation between the inside and outside of the door and prevent cold drafts from entering the room during winter. This way, you will be able to keep your dog warm inside its house even in freezing temperatures.
Toys
Aside from providing your pet with food and water, you should also purchase some toys for it. In fact, toys are arguably an essential part of every dog’s life. If you have decided to build an outdoor dog house for your pet, ensure it has enough space for toys so that your furry friend can play with them whenever it feels like it.
Toys can also serve as comfortable bedding if stuffed with soft fabric or cotton batting material. You can even hang some toys on the wall or ceiling. Thanks to this, they won’t get lost under the bedding material.
Elevated Floor
An elevated floor is a must-have feature if you decide to build an outdoor dog house for your pet. It will protect your furry companion from any insects or pests that might be living underneath its house while allowing extra air circulation. Furthermore, it will prevent water from entering on the rainiest of days.
To protect your canine friend from rain, snow, frostbite, and scald, ensure the floor is elevated about 4 inches off the ground. This way, your pet will stay safe and comfortable inside its private space.
Final Thoughts
After reading this article, you should have a clear idea of how to build a dog house. We discussed several super cute outdoor dog house ideas for your backyard and the essentials your dog’s new home should include. Now, it is up to you to make the most out of these ideas!
Whether you are building a new dog house or looking to improve an existing one, ensure that it has enough space for toys. It should also be warm enough for winter and have vinyl flaps inside the door.
Moreover, you might want to consider including a dog house furnace, elevated floor, and off-center door to your dog’s house project. This way, your dog will have a cozy place to rest all year long.
Leave a Reply