As we move into the cold months of winter, we often spend more time indoors keeping warm. While we have the option to put on an extra jumper or turn the thermostat up a notch, our dogs have to rely on their innate ability to moderate their own body temperature and our goodwill to keep warm.
Although many dogs enjoy spending time outdoors, whatever the weather keeping them safe and in good health is essential. Choosing the best insulated dog house for cold weather means you can protect your dog from cold temperatures while your dog enjoys the great outdoors.
Why does your dog need a house?
An outdoor dog house not only offers your dog protection from the rain, wind, sun, and snow but also acts as a safe place for your dog to relax when outside and helps keep your dog warm.
While it’s not ideal for a dog to spend all of its time outside, an outdoor dog house offers much-needed shelter if you have to leave your dog outdoors for any length of time. As the weather turns colder and we move into the winter months, it’s even more critical to provide an insulated and cozy refuge for your dog.
How to choose the best-insulated dog house for winter
Choosing the right dog house is essential. Not only is an outdoor dog house a significant investment, but it needs to be fit for purpose and offer your dog adequate protection against cold temperatures.
Not only should the structure be stable, but it should also be hygienic, safe, dry, and suitable for year-round use. So what do you need to consider before you choose a winter dog house?
Size
Picking the right size house for your dog is critical for the comfort of your dog. Although it might be tempting to get the largest possible option, it’s not always the best choice.
Not only will an over-large dog house be difficult to keep warm, but many dogs prefer a cozy space to relax in. Ideally, your dog should be able to comfortably stand up, lay down and turn around in the area provided.
As a general sizing guide, the dog house’s depth should be one to one and a half times the length of your dog. In contrast, the ideal width is around two-thirds of the length of your dog. Finally, the dog house height should measure around one and a half times your dogs’ height measured from the ground to the top of your dog’s head.
As kennel size and design varies so much, by far, the easiest way to check that your dog will fit and be comfortable is to get some cardboard and make a mock-up of the dog house you are looking to buy. The extra effort it takes to make the cardboard template is well worth it and prevents both disappointment and expensive return charges.
Position
Equally as important as getting the right size is choosing the best place to locate the kennel. Selecting a dog house that has adjustable feet, or some sort of elevation is ideal. A dog house that is raised off the ground has added protection from snow, ice, and winter weather getting in.
Not only that but ensuring that the kennel is in a sheltered spot with the door shielded from high winds will help keep your dog cozy when the weather turns cold.
Insulation
Dog houses should have a stable floor and be weatherproof. What’s more, if you want a winter dog house, adequate insulation is essential to ensure your pet stays warm through the colder months.
Although additional insulation can be provided by beds, a heating pad or floor heater, and suitable floor coverings like wood shavings, the primary form of insulation should come from the dog house itself.
Materials
Dog houses come in a wide range of materials, but the most common are plastic and wood.
Plastic
Plastic dog houses are easy to clean and lightweight. They can also be molded into almost any shape. Not only that but they are also cost-effective, especially for large dogs. Although they tend to be less insulated than wooden dog houses they are superior when it comes to resisting the weather.
Wood
Wood provides a well-insulated winter dog house because of the natural thermal properties of wood. Not only that, but a wooden dog house typically has thicker walls and a ceiling, which helps it stay warm. However, they are not as easy to clean or as resistant to bad weather conditions as plastic dog houses and often not as easy to assemble.
Best Insulated dog house for cold weather
Both wood and plastic dog houses are good options depending on location and individual requirements. Our favourite is the No products found. for all-around warmth, but if budget doesn’t allow the Pets Imperial Norfolk Dog Kennel is also a good option.
For a rundown of the pros and cons of each dog house, read on:
ASL Solutions insulated dog house - Insulated dog house that is both beautiful and durable
- Up to 4" of real foam (Styro/EPS) insulation per panel for a comfortable temperature
- Insulated outdoor dog house amenities include an easy pass-through self-closing door, raised floor, and cross-ventilation
- Insulated dog house that is both beautiful and durable
- Up to 4" of real foam (Styro/EPS) insulation per panel for a comfortable temperature
- Insulated outdoor dog house amenities include an easy pass-through self-closing door, raised floor, and cross-ventilation
This ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace is a durable plastic construction and is a perfect choice for an outdoor dog. With four inches of foam insulation, the house’s temperature is as much as thirty degrees higher than the outside temperature.
This Dog Palace features a raised floor is sloped with a drainage hole to make cleaning easy, and it’s five and a half inches from the ground providing a warm and dry area to rest. The smart self-closing door design allows for simple access, and the bottom part is removable for training purposes. What’s more, the window panels enable ventilation and can be removed entirely in warm weather.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Easy tool-free assembly
- Insulation in each wall panel
- Raised floor prevents flooding in wet weather
- Ventilation for warmer days
Cons
- Although a heating pad is included, it doesn’t cover the whole floor
- Many dogs are uncomfortable going in and out as the door shuts automatically behind them
- Active and determined chewers can get to the insulation
Petmate Indigo Igloo - Made with Microban to fight the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria
- Structural foam construction makes this igloo dog house warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer
- Extended doorway gives your pet extra room and protection from wind & rain
- Made with Microban to fight the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria
- Structural foam construction makes this igloo dog house warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer
- Extended doorway gives your pet extra room and protection from wind & rain
This heavy-duty igloo-shaped dog house offers serious protection against the elements. Not only does it feature an extended offset doorway to offer enhanced rain, snow, and wind protection, but the built-in structural foam adds to the insulating benefits of the design.
Also, this dog house comes with roof ventilation and raised floors that have channels along the sides to allow for any moisture runoff which is great for ensuring that rain runs off the frame.
The Indigo dog house is made from easy-to-clean plastic with a Microban treatment. This protects the dog house from the growth of bacteria. It comes in medium, large and extra-large sizes and has an optional floor pad when it gets freezing.
Pros
- Tool-free construction
- Easy to clean
- Additional Doorflap and floormat are available but not included
Cons
- Check measurements carefully as the entrance is smaller than the kennel
- This plastic dog house has a tendency to crack
- The door doesn’t come as standard
No products found.
Offering serious protection for all sizes of dog. This chalet-style kennel is the most technically advanced dog house on the market.
With laminated engineered panels that have and a full inch of true foam insulation. It’s bound to keep your dog cozy when the weather turns bad.
Not only that but it has a raised floor, removable roof, and an all-weather dog door.
Pros
- Insulated floor, walls, and roof panels
- Removable roof for easy cleaning
- Vented ridge cap for improved airflow
- Offset door for extra protection from the elements
- The steep roof and extended overhang provides extra weather protection
Cons
- The only one we can find is that it isn’t budget-friendly
Pets imperial Norfolk dog kennel - Two Support rails allows kennel take weight up to 154lbs. Removable Floor for easy cleaning, maintance and pest control. Roof that opens, with 2 locking arms.
- External dimensions of Norfolk Dog Kennel: 3 ft 10" (W) x 2 ft 7" (D) x 2 ft 8" (H); Size of access door: 1 ft 3" (W) x 1 ft 6" (H)
- All panels are Insulated. Insulation consists of timber (tongue and groove) 0.47", then 0.51" of Styrofoam, then 0.08" of plywood board. Keeps your dog warm in winter and cool in summer. Walls 150%...
- Two Support rails allows kennel take weight up to 154lbs. Removable Floor for easy cleaning, maintance and pest control. Roof that opens, with 2 locking arms.
- External dimensions of Norfolk Dog Kennel: 3 ft 10" (W) x 2 ft 7" (D) x 2 ft 8" (H); Size of access door: 1 ft 3" (W) x 1 ft 6" (H)
- All panels are Insulated. Insulation consists of timber (tongue and groove) 0.47", then 0.51" of Styrofoam, then 0.08" of plywood board. Keeps your dog warm in winter and cool in summer. Walls 150%...
If you prefer a wooden house for your dog, this Norfolk dog kennel offers your dog excellent protection from the elements.
With a tongue and groove design and Styrofoam insulation, it will keep your dog warm and dry when the weather turns bad.
The legs are adjustable making it easy to level on uneven ground. And the roof opens for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Raised floor
- Good insulation
- Thick tongue and groove walls
- Removable floor for easy cleaning
- Well made and robust
Cons
- On the small side, so measure carefully
Sale 
Trixie dog club house - Heavy-duty mineral roofing felt, weatherproof sealer, and plastic cover feet provide ultimate protection for long-term outdoor use
- The hinged roof with a locking arm allows for easy access to clean and organize your dog's home; slanted roof sheds rain water fast and away from the door
- Adjustable rot free plastic cap feet allow your TRIXIE House to be level, even on uneven ground
- Heavy-duty mineral roofing felt, weatherproof sealer, and plastic cover feet provide ultimate protection for long-term outdoor use
- The hinged roof with a locking arm allows for easy access to clean and organize your dog's home; slanted roof sheds rain water fast and away from the door
- Adjustable rot free plastic cap feet allow your TRIXIE House to be level, even on uneven ground
The Trixie dog house is made from tongue and groove wood and offers dog owners heavy-duty protection from the elements for their dogs. Adjustable feet ensure a dry and draft-free raised floor.
Along with the offset door and generous overhang on the front door that keeps the rain out. The Trixie dog house is an excellent choice that has the added benefit of an optional plastic door.
Pros
- Raised floor with adjustable feet
- Offset door for superior protection from the elements
- Removable door for easy cleaning
- Roof lifts and locks for ventilation
- Durable shingle roof
Cons
- Not very robust
- The floor is weak
- No additional insulation
Best insulated dog house for cold weather
Cold weather is as hard on our dogs as it is on us. Prolonged exposure to wintry conditions can make our dogs seriously ill. Read our article ‘Can dogs get sick from being cold‘ for more information. If for whatever reason your dog has to spend a lot of time outside, providing a warm, safe, and draught-free insulated dog house for winter that they can retreat to is fundamental to their wellbeing.
Whether you choose a plastic or wooden pet house, once it’s assembled make sure that it is watertight and out of any draughts. Our top choice is No products found. for the ultimate insulated dog house.
Last update on 2023-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API