With winter approaching, you certainly want to prepare your home for the chilling season. Installing heaters and restocking your fireplace necessities are some of the common measures people put in place.
What about your dog? Have you thought of preparing it for winter too? It’s quite unfair to just leave your dog in the cold. It’s also part of your family and should be part of your plans too.
Winterizing your outdoor dog kennel is a perfect thing to do for your lovely dog. However, do you know how to do it? Probably not, that’s why you’re here. This article gives you amazing insights on how to winterize your dog’s kennel and keep it comfortable and warm during winter.
Read on.
Step-by-Step Guide on Winterizing Outdoor Dog Kennel
Following these hacks, you can create the coziest environment for your dog to keep it happy the whole season. Whatever sizes the kennel is these tips should work for you.
1. Seal all the Cracks
Harsh weather can cause cracks on the walls of your doghouse. For instance, the hot summer sun followed by a little rain will most likely cause crevices.
To check for fissures and openings, let a kid enter the kennel as you shine a bright light on the walls. The kid will then help you identify cracks if any. Use a waterproof Silicone caulk to seal the cracks that may let warmth escape from the kennel.
2. Install a door
Since dogs rarely stay in the kennel, a lockable door may seem unnecessary. Even so, your dog needs a completely enclosed shelter during winter. In case the doghouse doesn’t have a closable door, make sure you install it to cover the space that may let cold and snow in.
3. Cover the Floor With Warmth-Retaining Material
Completely alone, your dog may be the only source of its warmth. To keep it warm during winter, help your dog to retain much of its warmth. To achieve this, lining the kennel floor with sawdust or layers of foam can be helpful.
Ensure that the insulating material covers about 6 inches above the floor. Sawdust or foam will reflect all the heat on the floor and supply it back to the dog.
4. Install a Heating Element
Winter can drive you crazy. It can’t be surprising that the above measures may not be enough to keep your dog safe. Sometimes instead of fighting to retain the heat in the kennel, why not supply more heat instead?
A floor electric heating pad can be the perfect item on your next shopping list. Placing it on the kennel floor or having a pet heater in the kennel can supply the required heat to your dog. Take the necessary precautions to ensure your dog stays safe from the electric cables.
5. Move the Kennel to a Shelter
Outdoors, your doghouse is fully exposed to snow, rain, and all the harsh winter weather. How about moving it somewhere safer? A place where snow may never find it? A place like your garage or an enclosed backyard shade is excellent for the job.
This will provide a double shield for your dog to stay cozy throughout winter.
6. Place the Kennel on a Wooden Pallet
A garage with a concrete floor can worsen the situation further. Here, you’ll have to raise the kennel from the floor to prevent direct contact with the cold floor. A wooden pallet is exactly what you need.
Wood is a natural insulator. For this reason, it will block any heat from passing from the kennel to the garage floor. Hence, this will keep your doghouse cozy.
7. Insulate the walls
Covering the cracks on the walls alone won’t be sufficient. You will need to go the extra mile and insulate all the walls. A lining of foam sheets or fluffy rags will help a great deal. You can mask them using glue or any other adhesive material.
Your dog will surely love the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t keep my dog warm during winter?
Extremely low temperatures cause hypothermia. This is a condition in which your dog’s body temperatures drop massively. Hypothermia can cause death. Also, frostbites can result and hence cause pain and discomfort to your dog.
Apart from low temperatures, are there other hazards that may affect my dog in winter?
During winter, chemicals like antifreeze are commonly used. Pesticides are also used to kill rodents that sneak into the house. Your dog may lick and experience hazardous effects. Such chemicals can poison your dog, leading to its death.
