Dog kennels, also popularly known as dog houses, are an integral part of every household. They are best suitable for dogs that love to have their own private space inside or outside, within yards, when playing. Moreover, a dog house is also perfect for sudden showers when the pooch’s outside as it shelters them from rain or snow. But unfortunately shelter is not the only thing they need, as, if the walls become too cold, it could become severely uncomfortable for them.
So, insulating dog kennels is a must and a basic requirement every pawrent should follow through. Extreme cold is not liked by all dogs, unless they are Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, or other cold area residing breeds. But even if they are, an insulated dog kennel is hands down a better choice. From offering protection against cold weather to maintaining an ambient temperature on rainy days, they are highly beneficial.
To know more, keep on reading until the end.
Table of Contents
Why should I Insulate my Dog’s Kennels?
When it comes to insulating a dog house, there are various reasons as to why they should be insulated. Below we will be discussing these factors in a more detailed manner.
To Retain Heat
The prime reason as to why dog owners are advised to insulate their dog’s kennels is to retain heat when needed. In colder areas, sudden temperature drops are quite a normal occurrence. And while this may not seem much initially, prolonged exposure to such extreme weather conditions leave detrimental effects on the canine’s body.
The dog may grow to be lethargic, suffer from skin conditions, rashes, and even have tiny red painful bumps all across their bodies. Their skin may dry out, leaving hard itchy patches which when scratched could get infected, or worse start bleeding.
Thus, to prevent such instances, having their houses properly insulated is highly necessary. This way their living area will maintain enough heat for the pooch to relax within the kennel without having to seek shelter inside the main house.
To Regulate Temperature
Unfortunately, few people know that insulated dog kennels are suitable for all seasons. Just like retaining heat within the small house in colder climates, proper insulation also comes handy in preventing the buildup of extra heat during harsh summers.
This in turn makes sure that the fur baby is safe from any health extremities or discomfort, no matter wherever you might be residing or what time of the year it is. A regulated body temperature is indeed very necessary for a canine to be healthy and have a quality life, so if your woofer likes to stay outside do make sure they have an insulated kennel to rest.
They add to the visual aesthetics
Finally, if you have a large fenced yard, investing in an insulated dog house can greatly add to your house’s overall aesthetics. Most dog houses are made of premium quality wood or cedar that can seamlessly match your home exteriors, thereby increasing the overall visuals.
Additionally, depending upon the space availability and the dog’s breed, pet parents can also customize the dog kennel to give it a more sophisticated look.
What do I need to create a DIY Dog Kennel?
For this you will need:
- Old blankets, curtains or thick mats
- Newspaper
- Good quality exterior wall insulation kits
- Rigid foam or polystyrene sheets
- Kennel shed
- Insulation batts
- Reflective foil
Once all these things are ready, you can then move on to further processes. But before that it is necessary to:
Draft a Full-proof plan
Trying to build a dog kennel without professional help is indeed quite tricky. With so many things to consider you will need to have a full-proof plan before proceeding further. This includes, estimating the space available, contemplating your canine’s movement area based upon their size and habits, and also depending upon the weather conditions the place usually experiences.
Without these the final result won’t be as you expected, with all your hard work and effort going down the drain. Moreover, it might also become uncomfortable for the woofer and they might stop going into the kennel altogether.
Go through Online Self-Help blogs or videos
Secondly, based upon the type of dog house you want to make, there are hundreds and thousands of online self-help blogs or videos you can scroll online. These informative contents give a generalized idea on the right way to do things and what to expect in the end.
Sometimes, these blogs or videos also provide access to a handful of tricks that can come handy in preparing your own DIY dog kennel. For instance, finding the right insulating material or curating the dog kennel in the most affordable manner. There are a lot of things that you might not know, and so gaining data from as many resources as possible is the right way of performing the task.
Decide the final position of the kennel
Just as the materials, a lot depends upon the final position of the dog kennel. Like if the kennel is located closer to the house porch, a lot of its area can be protected by the house extensions and therefore during harsh weather conditions, you won’t have much to worry in case the pooch is outside.
Pawrents should also determine the normal wind direction when positioning the dog house. This is because placing the dog kennel in direct contact with the exposed air flow could fasten their wear and tear (mostly if your region experiences super high wind flow almost every season).
Therefore, in such cases, it is better to estimate such factors and take appropriate safety measures beforehand.
What are the different insulating materials for a Dog Kennel?
Here we will be going through some of the best insulating materials that you could choose for your dog kennel. This list consists of all three types of insulation types, including products for exterior insulation, interior insulation and also simple wind flaps. So, based upon your particular needs, you can now find the right product from this list seamlessly.
Fiberglass Insulation
Typically installed in attic windows, fiberglass is one of the most affordable yet highly effective insulating materials. They are easy to install and can be adjusted to whatever size the dog kennel space requirements might need.
Fiberglass is also quite sturdy and easy to design, given their pretty smooth texture. So, unlike other insulation materials, a pair of heavy-duty scissors are enough to create a DIY dog house with this particular product.
However, unfortunately, this pink stuff doesn’t seem to last much longer when kept in contact with moisture. Therefore, pet parents are advised to invest in a good cover for rainy and extreme cold seasons if they are going with fiberglass for insulating their dog kennels.
NOTE- Always make sure to wear gloves and mask when working with fiberglass. Smaller airborne particles of this material can cause severe irritation in your skin or lungs, leaving you wheezing for air or worse falling sick with a bad case of chest pain. Additionally, it is also better to cover the material with proper panelings, so that the canine stays safe within the dog house.
Reflective Coil
An insulator that can be combined with other insulating materials for added heat retention, reflective coil is by far the cheapest, most efficient and easy-to-install option you can find. Just roll a generous amount of the coil on a fiberglass or other heat non-conductors and watch how happily your pup spends their time relaxing within their kennels.
On top of that, the coil can be used directly on the kennel walls’ without having to worry about fading of the wallpaper or wall colors. The foil automatically sticks to almost all places and is quite easy to remove or reinstall.
Foil Bubble Wrap
Another super easy-to-install product, the foil bubble wrap uses the simple technique of trapped air to provide necessary insulation when the outer environment is rather chilly or windy.
Unlike normal bubble wraps, the foil bubble wraps arrive with a thin layer of aluminum layering in between. This layering blocks the dog’s body heat from escaping into the surrounding, hence keeping them all cozy and warm. You can tape these wraps onto the floor or walls, but don’t forget to add protective panels to keep your munchkin from chewing these off.
Polystyrene Foam
Also commonly known as Styrofoam, Polystyrene foam is typically used in a lot of products for insulation. So, there is absolutely no doubt when it comes to testing the product’s efficacy.
This easy to use product is highly economical but unfortunately not long-lasting. With constant friction or use, the foam may break down into smaller pieces reducing their overall heat retention capacity as well as posing a choking hazard for the canine if accidentally ingested.
Thus, if you are opting for polystyrene foam, make sure to add a protective panel afterwards. For instance, once you are done applying the foam on the walls, next cover the foam panels with a same-sized wood or canine-safe durable plastic piece. This will keep the heat in without risking the foam layers to external contacts.
Spray Foam Insulation
The popularity of spray foam insulations have been growing quite a lot these recent years. Thanks to their instant expandable formula, spraying this product in between layers or hollow spaces blocks the air flow, and thus is a nifty way of insulating a dog kennel.
So, if you are creating your own DIY dog kennel, make sure to leave spaces between the panels for the spray foam. Once done with the interior and interior design, you will just need to spray the foam solution directly into the panel spaces or holes. This will not only keep heat at bay, but also prevent the growth of mold and mildew due to elevated moisture.
NOTE- The foam solution expands instantly and hence proper planning and execution is a must. If you have not used the solution beforehand, ascertain to go through its basics or hire a professional helper for the task.
Carpet
An insulating material that can be found at cheap rates at your nearby local stores, carpets are a good choice for retaining heat during colder climates. They are easy to carry, install and offer a decent amount of insulation when stapled or glued to the inside walls and floors of the dog house.
Moreover, pet parents can also put them as flaps that the canine can easily push forwards or inwards to get through.
NOTE- It is better to invest in lightweight long-fibered indoor carpets as they are easy to staple or glue and also offer longer heat insulation. However outdoor carpets are more durable and a relatively better option for dogs that like to chew on things.
Wood with Water Sealant
Finally, if not anything, applying a generous amount of water sealant over the wood pieces is also super handy.
Water sealants are composed of special solutions which when applied over a surface bind the particles together while simultaneously making the surface smooth textured. This in turn blocks any possible way of water or air entry. As a result, neither water droplets nor moisture stays on the wood for long, thereby adding to its durability.
Wood pieces coated with high-quality water sealants also help retain a minimal amount of heat, leaving the room cozy and warm.
NOTE- If you stay in regions experiencing harsher climates and have a low budget, it is better to seek professional advice as water sealant coatings aren’t much effective in such cases.
Conclusion:
Meanwhile, don’t forget to insulate the kennel’s ground base. It is better to cover the floor with:
- A cold-weather dog bed
- Outdoor carpets
- Linens or rugs
- Layers of newspaper
- Floor heating carpets
This will keep the dog warm from all sides and therefore safe from any health conditions resulting due to these weather extremities.
You may also like:
Reference:
- vetinfo.com/benefits-insulated-dog-houses.html#:~:text=Whether%20it’s%20hot%20or%20cold,dog%20from%20rain%20and%20snow.
- easyspanieltraining.com/do-dog-kennels-need-to-be-insulated/
- breedingbusiness.com/how-to-insulate-a-dog-house/
- k9ofmine.com/how-to-insulate-plastic-dog-house/
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