Dog Houses For Winter | Setting Up Water and Insulation 

Dog houses are an excellent place for your dog to spend all the outside time they want. However, knowing that your dog is safe, happy, and cared for is what all dog owners want. One of the biggest concerns that dog owners have is how to keep their furry friends safe in the winter. To help you know if you are giving your dog the best dog houses for winter, we have come up with some surefire ways to know your dog is cared for and happy during the winter months in their backyard dog kennel.

Can My Dog Sleep In Their Dog House When It’s Cold Outside?

Yes, your dog can sleep in its dog house when it is cold outside in the winter. In fact, letting your dog sleep in a dog house is better than letting them sleep outside! The “house” portion of your winter dog house should use high-quality materials to ensure that your dog is kept warm and comfortable. Whether you have a residential or commercial dog kennel, it’s key that the space is well-insulated and equipped with heat.

Does My Location (or Climate) Affect Proper Winterization For My Dog House?

Yes, the dog house you use in the winter will need to be winterized differently from climate to climate. In the country’s northern parts, where freezing temperatures are typical, you will need more insulation and additional features to keep your dogs cared for. However, if you are located in a more southerly region, the dog house you use for the winter may not need to have nearly as many features to keep your dog safe and comfortable.

My Barnyard provides top-quality buildings in Oregon and Washington that can be customized to include insulation and heaters. If you live in a colder climate, make sure your dog has a warm and dry place to spend the night!

How Do I Prepare My Dog House For Winter?

One of the biggest concerns that dog owners have is how to get their dog house ready for the winter. We know certain aspects need to be kept in mind when preparing a special place for your dog. To help you get prepared for the winter, there are two core areas that are important for your winter dog house solution.

• Proper Water Access
• Proper Insulation

How Do I Prepare Winter Dog House Water Access?

During the winter, the dog house you use needs to have a constant and clean water supply. Achieving the required water supply can be a tricky task in some climates, as cooler temperatures make it challenging to keep the water warm enough not to freeze. On the other hand, some climates remain relatively temperate during the winter months requiring next to no intervention for a watering solution.

Water Access in “Freezing” Climates

Your dog house for the winter may be in a climate with temperatures regularly at or below freezing. Keeping your water in a liquid state is a pain point for many animal owners. To combat this issue, we have two ideas that may work to fix the problem in your winter dog house.

Heat Tape (Cable) on the Pipe

To have your dog’s house ready for the winter, it is very beneficial to have good plumbing set up for the structure. However, in a freezing climate, a burst pipe is the only thing worse than not having fresh water. To prevent this from happening, we recommend using heat tape. Heat tape goes around the waterline, keeping the pipe warm to prevent the water from freezing in the pipes. This allows you to have water close by and ready to use for your dog house at any time!

Immersion Water Heater

Immersion heaters are a great way to keep a larger quantity of water available to use. When using an immersion heater, you can keep a 5-gallon bucket of water thawed out and ready for use. The simple use of an extension cord for your immersion heater will allow you to have clean, drinkable water for your dogs, even if having plumbing near the area is not possible. 

Water Access in Temperate Climate 

For dog houses in more temperate climates, you may not worry about water freezing as much. Nonetheless, the need for water in your dog’s house is still essential. To help with the issue of a constant water source in warmer climates, a water bowl with a float is a great solution. These water bowls work by having a continuous water supply (from a hose) filling up the bowl until the float indicates that the bowl is full. This float will then shut the water off and resume filling the bowl after your dog has had a drink.

A watering setup like this is easy to use, easy to trust, and, most importantly, a place where your dog can be safe. This is a great choice for those looking to outfit a commercial dog kennel for breeding, boarding, or grooming. It’s also worth noting that an automatic watering system can be used in a cold climate as long as you have a properly insulated dog house.

How Do I insulate my winter dog house?

You can insulate your winter dog house in a myriad of ways. If you live in a climate where temps often go below freezing, it is crucial that proper insulation is in place. In some cases, you may be able to buy a dog house that is already insulated like a custom dog kennel from My Barnyard. In the event that your dog’s house is not insulated at all, here are a couple of things that you can do.

Insulating a Dog House with Extra Blankets

Your winter dog house will need a way to keep the ground from being so cool. The cheapest method is using some old towels, shirts, or blankets to keep the floor warmer. Remember that it is essential to make sure your dog does not eat these fabric items, as it could cause health issues. Also, don’t assume that using a few blankets will be enough. There are a lot of factors including average winter temperatures and dog breeds that will determine what you will need to do.

Insulating a Dog House with Straw or Hay

Straw and hay have been keeping animals warm in their barn for years. Your dog house in winter is not much different than a barn, so why not use a tried and true method? Generally speaking, these items are easy to find once people are done decorating for the fall (or check out Blue Mountain Hay and their organic pet bedding!). Simply take the bale and spread it out on the dog kennel floor, and you will create a pleasant resting area for your furry friend. One of the added perks of using hay or straw is that they are easily switched out when the dog house needs to be cleaned up.

Buy an Insulated Dog House

Here is an example of the interior of a backyard dog kennel that was purchased from My Barnyard. It is already insulated and finished with OSB sheeting. This is the way to go if you want full confidence and assurance of your dog house staying at a reasonable temperature inside.

How Warm Does My Winter Dog House Have To Be?

Your dog kennel needs to be heated between 50-79 degrees all year round. However, there are variations to this temperature range based on the age of your dog(s).

Conclusion

Fully insulated prefab dog kennels make great dog houses for winter months. You can make a winter dog house very simple or very luxurious. As long as you take the proper precautions regarding available and adequate water, given your climate conditions, you can be extremely successful in caring for your dog outside even through the winter.

Dog House Models From My Barnyard

At My Barnyard, we offer a variety of dog kennels for sale that provide an elegant long-term solution. Check them out, and feel free to talk to us more about how they can be used outside in the wintertime. We even offer models that come already insulated!

Standard Dog Kennel

This is the most popular dog kennel model that we sell. This wooden dog kennel includes a pressure-treated base, waterproof decking on the run, and an expanded metal kick guard on the entry door. You can add custom options like insulation and heaters to this model for an additional price. These kennels come in either commercial or residential styles.

Elite Dog Kennel

Our Elite Dog Kennel models truly make outstanding dog houses for winter. They include all the same features as Standard Kennels with the addition of insulation, custom paint, Trex decking, and more!