Keeping A Dog House Warm: Blankets, Heated Pads And What To Avoid

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Before You Buy

Before you buy anything for a dog house, check whether your dog should be outside in the cold at all. The American Kennel Club says small dogs, senior dogs, puppies and short-coated dogs lose body heat fastest, that it is “safer for pets to be in an area where temperatures can be controlled”, and to limit time outdoors in extreme cold. Many bulldogs are short-coated. If your dog lives outdoors, ask your vet what is safe for your dog and your climate.

This page covers blankets and heated pads, described from the sellers’ listings; we have not tested them, and it is general information, not veterinary advice. It does not recommend heat lamps; see below.

Merely having a dog house would not ensure a proper place in the winters. You need to add a few more things to make their house comfortable and warm.

How can you make sure that the dog house is warm, comfortable, and safe?

Heated Dog Mat

The kind of dog house you have for your dog is the first thing that determines how warm it will be. If your dog house does not come with a heating feature, you can add a heated dog mat to provide the necessary warmth.

Riogoo Indoor Heating Pad

The listing describes an indoor electric heating pad for dogs and cats with an auto power-off timer (1 to 24 hours), a temperature sensor inside the pad, a removable polyester cover that is cleaned by hand, and a chew-resistant cord. The seller says it suits senior, arthritic, newborn and pregnant pets and pets recovering from illness or injury; if your dog has a health condition, ask your vet before using a heated pad. The medium size is listed as 18 x 18 inches (about 46 x 46 cm). It is sold as an indoor pad.

Petnf Outdoor Heating Pad

The listing describes a pad for outdoor dogs and cats that holds itself within 38 to 42 °C (100.4 to 107.6 °F) without manual settings, with a waterproof PVC inner housing, UL-tested V-0 flame-retardant material and a steel chew-resistant cord guard. The listing gives the medium size as 15.7 x 19.7 inches (about 40 x 50 cm, 40 W), large as 15.7 x 27.6 inches (about 40 x 70 cm, 50 W) and extra large as 23.6 x 35.4 inches (about 60 x 90 cm, 80 W). The seller says it is designed for covered outdoor areas such as dog houses and kennels, so keep it sheltered.

Dog Blankets

Blankets are other important factors that will keep your dog warm inside its house. You can layer the blanket over the bed surface to provide a soft and warm place for you pooch to rest on.

Allisandro 350 GSM Microplush Fleece Dog Blanket

The listing describes a 350 GSM microplush fleece blanket for small, medium and large dogs, machine washable on a gentle cycle and tumble dried on low. The grey bone design is listed at 32 x 24 inches (about 81 x 61 cm).

Bedsure Waterproof Dog Blanket, Sherpa Fleece

The listing describes a reversible blanket with sherpa on one side and flannel fleece on the other, and a waterproof TPU membrane inside that guards against light leaks and small spills. The seller notes that heavy soaking can seep through the seams and that the largest sizes are not suited to a household washing machine. The 40 x 50 inch size (about 102 x 127 cm) is listed.

Bedsure ComfyFleece Waterproof Dog Blanket

The listing describes a sherpa blanket with a waterproof lining and a reversible, two-texture design, machine washable in cold water and dried on low heat. It is listed as 40 x 50 inches (about 102 x 127 cm).

Why We Do Not Recommend Heat Lamps In A Dog House

Heat lamps are a fire risk. Ohio State University’s agricultural-safety service, writing about livestock barns, calls a lamp hung by twine “an accident waiting to happen”, recommends keeping a lamp about 20 inches (50 cm) from the ground or animals, never on a flammable surface, mounted where it cannot be knocked down, on an arc-fault-protected outlet, and says never to leave a heat lamp unattended overnight. A dog house is small, has bedding and has a dog that can knock things over. The bulbs sold for reptiles or chicken coops are not made for a dog house. If your dog needs a heated space, ask your vet and choose a product made and certified for pets.

Buying Guide for Things That Keep Dog House Warm

When it comes to keeping a dog house warm, there are multiple accessories that can be highly useful. But you have to be well-informed and careful while making these purchases.

When Buying Heated Dog Mat

•  Method of Heating

A majority of the heating mat features an electric heating system. They come with a wire that needs to be plugged into an outlet to function.

However, there are microwave heat mats, and self-warming mat options available as well. If you are looking for a convenient way to provide warmth to your pooch, then a good electric heating mat is the right choice. This is ideal for the region with extremely cold temperatures

• Safety Compliance

When buying an electric heated mat, safety features are one of the most important things to consider.

You have to ensure that it keeps your canine safe and warm. Consider features like automatic power off, chew-proof cord casing, flame retardant covering, etc.

• Temperature Control

Electric heating mats for dogs allow you to control the temperature. Most products feature an LED control panel that shows the heat setting and allows you to change the settings accordingly.

Follow the maker’s instructions, check the pad and your dog’s skin regularly, and do not use a heated pad as a substitute for a warm, dry shelter or a vet visit.

• Size

Getting the right size of the heated pad ensures your dog is comfortable. Heated dog mats are available in small, medium, and large sizes.

If you are placing the mat over the dog bed, make sure you take the measurement prior to buying the product.

• Ease of Use

Your dog is going to lay on it for a considerable amount of time, and it is also heated, so you have to ascertain the ease of use.

Consider how easy it is to wash the mat. Go for a mat that comes with an outer covering that can be removed and washed in the machine.

When Buying Dog Blankets

• Size

One of the first factors to consider when buying a dog blanket for keeping a dog house warm is the size. It depends on the size of your dog and its habits.

Smaller dogs tend fluff and dig around a lot, so it might be better to get a size higher than small. Larger breeds, due to their larger build, would need a big blanket so that they are covered properly.

• Material

You invest in a dog blanket to ensure that they are comfortable and cozy. Therefore you must choose the right material, which is soft as well as warm.

Cotton, Polyester, sherpa, fleece, and flannel are among the most popular blanket materials. If you live in warmer climates, then a thinner blanket would do the job.

However, if you live in a colder region, opt for thicker material. And, also make sure your dog is not allergic to the material you choose.

• Reversible

Choosing double-sided blankets can offer a lot of benefits. To begin with, you get two colors in one product. Additionally, a reversible blanket can be used longer than the ones with only one side.

If one side gets dirty and you do not have the time to clean it up, just flip it over.

• Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance

Getting a blanket that is easier to clean will make things a lot easier for you. Select a material that can be washed in the machine and tossed in the dryer. This will make sure that the material is cleaned and ready for use the same day.

• Resistance to Chewing

If your little canine is teething or loves chewing stuff, then this factor becomes extremely important.

You do not want to invest money in a blanket only to use it for a couple of weeks before your dog chews it into shreds. The best kind of dog blankets offer to chew resistance, making them indestructible.

Why Dogs Feel The Cold

The American Kennel Club says small dogs, senior dogs, puppies and short-coated dogs are at higher risk of rapid loss of body heat, and that what matters is the dog’s body temperature, not the air’s: mild hypothermia begins when body temperature drops below 99 °F (37.2 °C). Shivering and curling up for warmth are some of the first signs. Later signs include a rapid heart rate that then slows, sluggishness, paleness, dilated pupils and loss of consciousness. If you see them, move your dog somewhere warm and contact your vet immediately.

Other signs that a dog is cold include:

• Shivering
• Being lethargic
• Whining or barking
• Constantly lifting paws off the floor
• Refusing to go outside
• Creating a nest

Frostbite signs include pain or tenderness when touched, cold skin, and blisters or skin ulcers, and they can take a day or more to appear. The AKC says to move the dog somewhere warm and call your vet, and not to rub the frostbitten skin or use direct heat such as a hairdryer or heating pad.

Final Thoughts

Blankets and heated pads can make a dog house more comfortable, but they do not replace a shelter where the temperature can be controlled, which is what the AKC advises, or your vet’s advice. Follow the maker’s instructions, check the pad and your dog’s skin regularly, and bring your dog indoors when it is very cold.