If you really love your pet, you want to pamper them and give them everything that they could ever want. We all love to spoil our pets and give them all the best food, treats, and toys. Another way you can show love to your pet is through constructing their very own dog house.
Contrary to popular belief, dog houses can actually be good for your pets. It gives them their own space outdoors where they can rest or sleep in the shade, and protects them from the weather if they ever get stuck in it while they’re outside. Here are 5 things to consider when building the perfect outdoor dog house for your furry pal.
Build to your dog’s size
If you own a small dog, then build a small dog house. If you own a big dog, build a big one. It’s that simple. If your dog is still a puppy or still has some room to grow, take note of the fact that they will get bigger as they grow older, and make sure to build your dog house to accommodate your pet’s changing size.
You want to give your pet just enough space to lie down comfortably, stretch, and maybe walk around a bit. You also want to give them enough space to store their toys and playthings and, if you want to, give them their own indoor toilet. Otherwise, you can definitely make it as big as you want but take note of the weather conditions and the type of materials you use.
During the summer, or if you live in an area with a constantly hot climate, a big dog house with plenty of ventilation and made of light breathable materials will suit your dog just right. Over the winter, however, your dog wants a small, cozier space where their natural body heat can better conserve and spread warmth inside. Take all of these into consideration when deciding the final size of your dog house.
Get the right materials
As stated above, the right materials can help to determine the way your dog uses their dog house. For example, plastic is a lighter, more durable, and much cheaper material to use. It’s also very easy to clean, as you can just wash off whatever dirt or mess gets splattered on the walls. However, the main issue with plastic is the lack of warmth it provides. Plastic also tends to absorb heat, which isn’t ideal during the hot months.
If your dog house is used mainly during the winter, you want to use wood, such as cedar, pine, or plywood. Wood gives a more classic look to your dog house and is a very versatile material that you can use to design some of the best dog houses. It can keep your dog warm during the cold months and can still withstand high temperatures too, depending on the kind of wood you use.
Of course, the downside to it is that it’s a bit harder to clean than plastic and has a tendency to rot when it absorbs too much moisture. Thankfully, there are wall sidings that imitate the look of wood without any of the drawbacks. Just ask your trusted siding contractor for some help and guidance.
When picking materials, choose them according to the design of your dog house, its purpose, and its practicality.
Make sure it’s portable
You want to be able to easily carry your dog house to different spots in your yard or to other places if you plan to move or relocate. Dogs love the shade just as much as we do, so it’s best to move your dog house to follow the shade whenever it gets too hot. When it’s cold, you can move it to an optimal spot to keep out the cold drafty breezes.
Add insulation and comfort
Like us, dogs love warm, cozy spaces where they can nap and relax. Be sure that their house is properly insulated and comfortable — in short, make sure that it’s a space they’d actually want to spend time in. You can use regular home construction methods of insulation, like foam or fiberglass. Other than that, furnish the inside of your dog’s house with a cozy bed or some wood shavings and straw bedding. Just be sure to replace the bedding every week or so, more frequently if your dog tends to get dirty while they’re playing.
Allow easy access for you and your pet
Make sure that the door is just tall and wide enough to allow your pet to enter and leave comfortably. If possible, it should also be big enough for them to turn in. Unlike traditional dog houses, you want to put the house’s door off to the side instead of in the center to give your pet more room to shield from the elements, like the rain.
Aside from your pet, you want to give yourself easy access to the inside as well without having to crawl on all fours yourself, so you can clean the inside of the house easily or take something from inside it. A removable or hinged roof is one easy way to do this. Another would be to make it big enough for you to install a second door that you can use. You can also make use of a hinged wall that you can unlock or unlatch.
Your pet’s comfort and security should be your top priority when creating a dog house for them. Be sure that you know the kind of dog that they are, what they could use the dog house for, and if they really need it. If your pet spends most of their time with you indoors or isn’t known to make a mess outside, then maybe a dog house isn’t the right project for them. But if your dog loves the outdoors, then giving them their own space where they can sit and relax in the shade is a perfect project to create.
