What does a dog need in a dog house? Here’s the Answer

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Summer Benefits of Outdoor Dog Houses

While air-conditioned dog houses can be good options for resting between fetch games on hot summer days to help prevent heatstroke in dogs, Dr. Mark Williamson, DVM at Dunedin Animal Medical Center (DAMC) in Florida, says that if the conditions outdoors are too severe for you to be comfortable, then you should not have your pet outside during these times, either.

A dog house should serve the purpose of a safe and comfortable place for your dog to rest when outdoors temporarily, says Dr. Williamson, who has a background in emergency and critical care veterinary medicine. “Being able to avoid constant direct sunlight in the heat of the summer is very important for a dog,” Dr. Williamson adds.

A nice, cool dog house can also help keep your garden in top shape. “During the hotter months of the summer, a dog will seek a cool place to lay down—if there are not many shaded areas in the yard, you may find your dog digging holes to attempt to have cooler ground to lay down on,” Dr. Williamson says. And should an unexpected thunderstorm pop up, your dog will appreciate having somewhere to take cover.

Keep Your Dog Safe While You’re Building

DIY-related substances like glue and paint are among the top reasons that pet parents call the ASPCA animal poison control center. Dont give your pet a chance to accidentally ingest anything he shouldnt while youre building your new doghouse. Keep him far away until the structure is finished, any liquid adhesives and paints or stains have throughly dried, and youve removed all leftover building materials from the area.

With just a few simple tweaks to your doghouse building plans, youll give your beloved pup the best build-it-yourself doghouse possible.

Things to Consider When Looking for a Dog House

  • Think about where the dog house can fit comfortably in your backyard. You don’t want to put it in a place where there is a lot of moisture. Keep the dog house raised off the ground to help control the temperature. That also helps keep your dog from becoming infested with fleas.Â
  • Leave the dog house doors open when it gets hot outside for better ventilation. It helps to have a floor that slants toward the doorway so that rain does not build up in the dog house.Â
  • Add bedding made of a material like dense foam or cedar shavings. You want something that is moisture-proof and capable of keeping fleas away from your dog.Â
  • Think about adding an awning or other covering over the doorway of your dog house to provide some extra shade when it gets sunny outside. A good porch cover can also protect your dog when severe weather hits the area.
  • Look for a dog house with hinges on the roof to make it easier to clean. You should plan on cleaning your dog’s home whenever you give them a bath.Â

    • 10 Things You’ll Need For Your New Puppy

    No matter how much your dog may love the outdoors, there’s nothing like having their own space to retreat to when it gets dark, rainy, or cold. And no matter how much they love you, dogs sometimes need their alone time. But you want to make sure that their dog house is large enough for them to be comfortable and strong enough to hold up to weather conditions common to where you live.Â