Skip to main content

Why you should build your dog a heated home for winter

It’s true that your dog’s wild cousins spend the winter frolicking and sleeping outdoors, but that doesn’t mean your pooch likes to lounge outside in the cold without a heat source. Our furry friends are slightly less insulated than their undomesticated counterparts and require a little extra help to stay warm. If your pup relishes his snow time or you simply need him to stay outside during the day, you can give him the shelter he needs by heating his doghouse.

Husky peeking out of his dog house in the snow
Valerija Polakovska / Shutterstock

Does my dog need a heated house?

Dogs like to have a designated space, and giving them an outdoor home helps keep them feeling safe and secure, especially while you’re away. In the winter, your dog’s den may need a little more attention to help keep him happy outside.

Recommended Videos

If your pet spends long chunks of the day outdoors or you live in a cold climate, you should look into heating his existing house or purchasing a new one for this purpose. Breeds from warm parts of the world or those with short hair may be especially susceptible to cold and will need an extra-warm setup. When you glam up your pet house, you protect him not only from cold but also from elements like ice and snow.

Consult your vet if you aren’t sure how long Fido should be in the cold and don’t leave dogs out alone for long periods in extreme temperatures, even with a heated house.

How can I warm up his doghouse?

Just like a human home, a properly heated dog home needs insulation. Some doghouses already come with this built in, but if not, buy materials like fabric or foam to line the inside of his house. If your dog is prone to shredding or chewing, you will need to find something he won’t want to gnaw or look at covering the insulation with plastic. You can also winterize the exterior of the house with siding or paint it a dark color. Make sure to fill in any gaps or holes as well to prevent cold from getting through. A dog flap, like the one you might have in your home, helps keep heat in and the wind out.

In addition to cloth for warmth, your pooch will enjoy curling up in a cozy blanket. Include a dog bed or other comfy floor covering for him like a carpet remnant. If you’re finding the floor to be particularly chilly, you can also look at raising the doghouse higher and adding stairs or a ramp, which may help conserve heat. Small breeds might need additional protection such as a dog sweater or jacket to help keep their little bodies warm.

Dog in sweater in his dog house
ollytheoutlier / Shutterstock

Can I add a heat source to my doghouse?

Now that you have a way to maintain the temperature inside, you might decide to add more heat. Not all dogs will generate enough warmth even in a well-insulated little house. One solution is to include a heating pad for doghouses or a small heater. These come in all sizes and varieties, depending on the design of your house and your animal’s preferences. Many heating pads can go on the floor and don’t require electricity. Your pooch will surely love to lie down on his new pad when it’s especially nippy. Make sure you purchase a heater or pad specifically designed for pets with all the built-in safety features your pup will need, like a chew-proof cord.

If your dog doesn’t yet have a den and you’re in the market, you can also buy heated doghouses. These come with heating lamps or pads already built in, along with extensive insulation. Designs vary, but most require an electricity source, so think about your setup before you purchase.

With your pet home renovation project complete, make a thermometer your last purchase. Some high-end ones can even communicate with your phone and keep you up to date on the conditions inside the doghouse. This way, you’ll always know what temperature it is in Fido’s new home. Your pet may be dreaming of summer from within his den, but at least he’ll be snuggled up in his new warm house.

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why is my dog whining? 6 reasons and how to stop it
Check out the possible causes of this behavior
Sad dog resting his head near a shoe

Let’s be honest: No matter how much we love our fur babies, living with a dog that's a whiner can drive you crazy. Whining can be irritating, heartbreaking, and even anxiety-inducing for owners. Whether it's distracting you from work, making you sad to leave the house, or making you worry that something is wrong with your dog, figuring out why your dog is whining and what you can do about it is important.

No matter how disruptive it is, always remember that whining is a form of canine communication, say training experts at the ASPCA. The key is to properly interpret the noise and figure out how to work with them on it, to try to answer the question, "Why is my dog whining?"
Whining may seem like a random behavior, but it has causes

Read more
Should dogs eat pork? Here’s what you need to know
How to prepare pork to share with your pup
A dachshund dog eats a sausage

It's no secret that dogs are carnivores. Meat and protein sources make up a large portion of the canine diet, and the smell of meat can get dogs drooling. Cooking chicken for dogs is a rite of passage among pet parents, but what about other meats?
If you find yourself wondering, "Should dogs eat pork?" -- you're not alone. Pork is a less commonly discussed protein compared to chicken, beef, or even turkey, so it can be tricky to know whether or not to share this food with your dog. Luckily, we're here to clear things up for your pup's safety and your convenience.

Should dogs eat pork?

Read more
Why won’t my dog bark? When should you worry about it?
Can't figure out why your dog won't bark or if it's a problem? Here's what we dug up
Dog barks outside in a lawn

A dog that doesn’t bark often or at all seems like a dream come true to pet parents (and their neighbors). In reality, a quiet dog can be cause for concern, especially if a previously noisy pup suddenly becomes quiet. Whether your dog has always been quiet or has become more shy, it's normal to wonder, "Why won't my dog bark?"
Barking is a normal dog behavior and an important communication tool for dogs, so it's natural to be a bit worried if your dog isn't barking. The good news is that there are plenty of reasons your dog may not be barking, and not all are cause for concern. However, if you're worried about your dog, it's important to remember that even if your dog’s lack of sound isn’t from a serious health issue, you can’t go wrong by asking your trusted veterinarian for advice.

When do puppies start barking? What does it sound like at first?

Read more