Like human, dogs do not like to live in the cold as they also feel cold. Even they do not bear the extreme cold too. If your dog does not feel comfortable in cold weather you have to take some steps in order to keep him/her safe from the freezing weather. Most pet owners opt for the option of electric heaters as it is the safest and no doubt affordable.
However, it is the easiest option, but not an appropriate for each plastic dog house. It can be dangerous for your dog. There is a chance that your dog can chew the cable. Now the question is how to heat the dog house without the electricity.
If you think that non-electric options are expensive or complicated, then you have the wrong myth. It is not complicated to install. There are several ways to heat the dog without any requirement of electricity. You can implement any of the ways to heat your outdoor dog house. The below-mentioned information is about the need for heating the dog house and methods.
Why Is It Necessary to Heat a Dog House?
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, dogs have a warm and fluffy coat. However, they can also feel cold. If they sleep outside, then they require extra protection against the harsh winter temperature. Your dog may face several problems in harsh outdoor conditions.
It can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. In addition to it, winter can also develop arthritis symptoms, especially in the older dog. Due to that, it is essential to heat a dog house. Moreover, you can also observe the signs of hypothermia in your dog.
These signs include shivering, mental dullness, shallow breathing, and muscle weakness. In several cases, dogs may also have a dilated, inaudible heartbeat, fall into unconsciousness, and fixed pupils. To avoid all these problems or symptoms, it is essential to heat a dog house.
In addition to it, the dog which suffers from hypothermia should warm up with blankets. After that, you will have to consult your vet. The main reason for consulting the vet is for proper insulation, possibly oxygen, and IV fluids.
If you are concerned about your dog’s health, then do not let them sleep in winter. Look for several ways to heat the outdoor dog house without electricity.
How to Observe the Temperature of your Dog House?
It is essential to consider the temperature of the dog house. Due to it, you will be able to know whether your dog house is overheated or not. In addition to it, overheating can also become the reason for several problems.
If the temperature is too hot, then your dog cannot bear it. The dog will not be able to regulate its body temperature. After that, he will overheat. It is dangerous and life-threatening as similar to getting too cold.
It is essential to notice the temperature of the dog house. By this, you can avoid any miss-happening. It is not a complicated task to observe the temperature of the dog. For keeping track of the temperature of the dog house, you can use a thermometer.
What you need to do is install the thermometer on the wall. With the help of a thermometer, you can track the temperature. Ensure that the dog house temperature is above 50 degrees F and below 75 degrees F.
Methods to Heat Dog Houses without Electricity
When it comes to the methods, there are several ways to heat the dog house without electricity. You can consider several strategies for it. Here is a list of some methods which you can keep in your mind.
Insulate the House: The primary insulation helps keep your plastic dog house much warmer. You can opt for the option of foil-backed foam. It is easy to install and practical too. Moreover, you can use it inside the walls of your dog’s house.
Due to it, your dog will not chew it. In addition to it, you can also cover it with the panels of a false wall. It will eliminate access to the boards.
Add the Bedding: In the winter, the Outdoor dog house will get cold. Hence, it is necessary to insulate the pet from the bottom or below. You can use the best bedding for your dog’s house. No doubt, the outdoor bed is still the best. However, if you are looking for its alternative, you can choose the pine and cedar shavings.
Cloth your Dog: Few of the dogs do not like to wear clothes. What they do is rip them off, chew them, and tear them. So, you can look for the best dog winter jacket. It is an elegant and effective solution to keep your little pup warm.
You can purchase several elegant jackets for your dog. In addition to it, you can supervise them. What you need to do is put clothes on them.
Stuff the House: The extra space will keep the average temperature to be lower. The excellent place is appropriate in summer. On the other hand, it will lead to difficulty in the winter. There is not any specific method to decrease the space of your dog house.
However, you can try several ways, such as you can use dog blankets. By placing the dog blankets, you can reduce the space. Moreover, you can seal the water jugs. In addition to it, you can also prefer the big pillows for reducing the open space inside the home.
Add a Dog Door: The majority of dog houses do not have a door. The houses have a big gap. With the help of this gap, your dog can easily walk in and out of the house. This large gap can become the reason for entering the cold air and wind in the house.
You can add the dog flap. It will ensure that no heat is lost during the night. In addition to that, it will also keep your dog friendly and safe. Even, it is an affordable method, and you will not face any problem in installing.
Microwaveable Cushions: It is also a great and effective way to heat your dog house. It is effective in short bursts. What you need to do is keep these cushions in the microwave for a couple of minutes. After that, place them on your dog’s bed. In addition to it, they absorb the heat and radiate it. They require to be reheated each hour. In addition to that, it is not really for the use of overnight.
Bad Effects of Using Electricity to Heat a Dog House
Although there is nothing wrong with using electricity to heat, you may face some problems. These problems will indicate you to prevent electricity. It is a matter of safety. If you have a dog that chews each thing, you should avoid an electric line exposure.
It will create the most considerable safety risk. If your dog chews the wire, then it will suffer from numerous problems. In addition to that, it is the most significant question mark on safety. You can choose any of the alternative methods for heating your dog’s house without electricity.
Conclusion
In the end, the safety of your dog is in your hand. Moreover, it is essential to keep your dog happy and healthy. When you have alternative options, then you can avoid electricity. With the proper clothing, you can keep your dog warm and comfortable. In addition to it, dogs can get sick if they live outside for a longer time.
Moreover, you can implement the methods mentioned above to keep your dog warm. Insulate your dog’s house properly without using electricity. All of those, as mentioned above, are effective and useful. You can opt for the best option as per the requirement. You can choose easy and effective methods.
Owning a dog is not a difficult task. However, you have to take care of several things. In addition to it, when it comes to heating the dog house, then give the preference to non-electricity options.
Frequently Asked Question
Why should you avoid electricity to heat your dog house?
If you opt for the option of electricity, then there is a safety risk associated with it. This is because the dog can chew the electricity wires. So, it will harm them. To some extent, instead of taking this risk, you can opt for alternative options. With blankets, pillows, and several other methods, you can keep the dog house warm.
What is the average temperature of a dog house?
Generally, the pet owner should set the thermostat between 75 and 78 degrees when you are in your home. Moreover, plan to maintain the temperature between 69 to 72 degrees in winter when you are at home. When you are away from your home, you can set the thermostat lower than 60 degrees.