Pets Beds - Outdoor Dog Kennel

NewAgePet eCo-Concepts BunkHouse Style Dog House 

Having an outdoor dog kennel available for your dog can be very useful even if he does spend a lot of his time indoors.

For example your dog may be large, which means that there can be times when having him outside for a while can be a lot more convenient.

Some dogs are happier outside for at least part of the time. If this is the case then he will need somewhere to shelter when the weather isn’t good, or to sleep in if it’s warm enough at night? Chances are an outdoor dog kennel is the answer.

What Are The Benefits of Having An Outdoor Dog Kennel?

Even if your dog is essentially a house dog and is small enough to be around the house without causing difficulty it can be useful to be able to accommodate him comfortably outside. Maybe you are having visitors who are not completely comfortable around dogs, or you are redecorating or having work done in your home, or if your dog gets fleas and you want to keep him outside until they are treated! There can be all sorts of reasons why a short stay outside might be helpful. Outdoor pets beds ban be just as cosy as indoor ones.

 Also a lot of dogs do like to spend some time outside in the yard if the weather is good. its a change of scenery for them if nothing else.

Merry Pet The Stable Wood Pet House, Large

What To Look For In An Outdoor Dog Kennel

But before you head off to the local pet store and just buy the first one you see, consider first what features you need and how large an outdoor  kennel you actually need. Research the prices carefully too – often you can get a kennel online for less.

What Size?

The first thing you need to decide on is size. Obviously the main issue is the size of your pet. It needs to be comfortable, so the kennel must be large enough for the dog to lay down. But if it’s going to sleep in the kennel it needs more room to be able to move about and make itself comfortable; and there needs to be room for some water and dry food bowls. If in doubt it’s better for the kennel to be a little too big than for it to be too small. But make sure there’s adequate room in your yard for the size of outdoor dog kennel you select.

Cedar Dog House - Large Breeds Size

Which Material Is Best For A Kennel?

By the way, all the best outdoor dog kennels are made of wood, preferably wood that’s been seasoned and stained to have a good natural look. A plastic kennel can look out of place, and the plastic will not stand up to the weather as well as wood. And some dogs can easily destroy a plastic kennel!

Design Features To Look For

Then consider access. The simplest ones just have an opening for a ‘door’. This is fine for a day kennel which the dog uses only in good weather. For tougher use, you need to go further. You can buy heavy plastic flaps for around $15 which fit over the entrance of open-style kennels, and keep the wind and rain out if the weather turns bad. However, if the kennel is going to be used for sleeping, you should seriously consider getting one which has a proper hinged wooden door which can be fully closed.

There’s another aspect to access, and that is for cleaning purposes. This is where some kennels with flat or sloping roofs score, because the roof can be hinged to swing upwards so you can easily get access to all of the kennel without having to kneel. If you would have difficulty with that, consider a hinged roof seriously even though the traditional dog kennel has a fixed gable roof.

Precision Pet Outback Log Exterior Dog House, Large

Finally, consider heating. You may not intend that the kennel will be used when it’s cold. The first way of ensuring your pet is warm is to buy a kennel which has insulated walls. But depending on when and how the kennel’s going to be used, it may need to have heating. First you need an electrician to fix an outdoor electrical outlet. Then the choice for the kennel itself is either to have a heated dog bed or heating pad for the basket, or to fit an actual space heater.

If you think carefully about all these things, your dog will have a snug and secure outdoor dog kennel to spend time in, and you’ll be happier knowing he is comfy.