Best Insulated Dog Houses: Winners
- Best Overall Insulated Dog House – ASL Solutions Foam Insulated Dog Palace
- Best Budget Dog House for Cold Weather – Petmate Aspen Pet Barn Dog House
- Best Insulated Dog House for Small Dogs – Petsfit Gray Wood Dog House
- Best Insulated Dog House for Large Dogs – Tangkula Wooden Dog House
- Best Extra Large Winter Dog House for XL Dogs – PawHut Dog Cabin
- Best Heated Dog House – Dog Palace Heated and Insulated Dog House
- Easiest To Assemble Dog House for Cold Weather – MidWest Homes for Pets Eillo Folding Outdoor House
I know no one wants to think about it, but the truth is winter is not too far away, and in Minnesota, that means snow and chilly days.
If you have an outside dog, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your dog warm in the cold weather.
Although it is ideal to let your dog sleep inside, some situations prevent this arrangement.
If you are in a position that your pup needs to sleep outside during the winter, it’s critical you find them the best insulated dog house.
And even if you have a breed of dog with a heavy winter coat, such as a husky or malamute, they are still at risk of suffering from frostbite or hypothermia.
Frostbite becomes a real danger for dogs when outside temperatures drop to 32⁰ Fahrenheit1.
And hypothermia begins to affect dogs when their body temperatures start to dip below 99⁰ Farenheit2.
Providing your dog with the best insulated dog house for the winter and cold weather will protect and keep your dog safe from harm.
Since there are several dog houses on the market, we have taken the time to scour the internet and find the top picks to help keep your dog warm in the winter.
Related: Best Indoor Dog Houses
Best Insulated Dog Houses for Cold Weather
Best Overall Insulated Dog House – ASL Solutions Foam Insulated Dog Palace
The ASL Solutions Foam Insulated Dog Palace is the best pick for dogs living in cold climates. The palace has a self closing door to keep the elements out on cold, windy nights.
Plus, the dog house features 4″ styrofoam walls that work to keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The slanted floor with a drain hole keeps your dog’s house dry all year round. And with a removable self storing back window, your dog’s house can stay ventilated in warmer months.
The plastic design is easy to clean and is odor resistant.
- Style – Shaped like a barn with a semi-rounded roof
- Size – 47.5 x 31.5 x 38.5 inches
- Colors – Caramel with dark brown roof
- Material – Durable plastic with insulation
- 4″ of styrofoam insulation on all four walls
- Front to back ventilation system
- Self storing removable windows
- Self closing door
- Slanted floor with drain hole
- Price
Best Budget Dog House for Cold Weather – Petmate Aspen Pet Barn Dog House
The Petmate Aspen Pet Barn Dog House is made from a durable plastic that is rot and mold resistant; plus, it is easy to clean.
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The roof extends over the sides and has an overhang guard to help keep the rain out.
Plus, the interior features a raised flooring which also aids in keeping your dog dry.
However, you’ll need to add your own insulation.
- Style – Rectangle with a peaked roof
- Size – Available in four sizes (26.5 X 18 X 16.5 inches, 29 X 22 X 21 inches, 32 X 26 X 24 inches, 38 X 29 X 30 inches)
- Colors – Light brown top darker brown bottom
- Material – Molded plastic
- Price
- Available in four sizes
- Front to back ventilation
- Easy to assemble
- Doesn’t come with insulation
- It doesn’t have door covering
Best Insulated Dog House for Small Dogs – Petsfit Gray Wood Dog House
The Petsfit Gray Wood Dog House has a stylish design with a balcony.
Though the window and door lack a cover, these are easy things to remedy when winterizing your dog’s house.
The raised floor helps with ventilation and keeps your dog dry.
And the feet on the dog house are adjustable, so it works even on uneven ground.
- Style – Rectangle with balcony and flat shingled roof
- Size – 16.5 x 18 x 16 inches
- Colors – Gray with white accents
- Material – Solid wood and stainless-steel hardware
- Appearance
- Window for ventilation
- Asphalt roof
- Raised off the ground
- Hinged roof for easy access
- It only comes in one size
- It does not have a window or door cover
Best Insulated Dog House for Large Dogs – Tangkula Wooden Dog House
The Tangkula Wooden dog house is spacious enough for large dogs to rest comfortably.
The raised design helps with ventilation and keeps your dog dry in wet weather.
The dog house has adjustable feet, making it an excellent choice for an uneven surface.
- Style – Rectangle with a slanted roof
- Size – Comes in two sizes (33.5 x 24.5 x 22.5 inches, 45.5 x 27 x 27.5 inches)
- Colors – Natural wood with dark brown trim
- Material – Fir Wood
- Slanted asphalt roof to keep water from building up
- Adjustable feet
- Hinged roof with locking arms
- Raised bottom for better ventilation
- No door flap
Best Extra Large Winter Dog House for XL Dogs – PawHut Dog Cabin
If you’re looking for an extra large stylish dog house, the PawHut Dog Cabin is just what your dog needs to keep them warm in the winter.
The cabin comes with vinyl curtains to keep the weather out and warmth in, helping to keep your dog warm and comfy.
The dog cabin is raised off the ground and has a top roof guard to keep them dry year round.
Plus, this cabin has removable floors for easy cleaning.
- Style – A-frame design with balcony
- Size – 59 x 63.5 x 39.25 inches
- Colors – Natural wood with dark brown accents
- Material – Fir wood with asphalt shingles
- Features two doors with coverings
- Has a middle divider that can be put in for two dogs or left out for one extra large dog
- Stylish exterior
- A-Frame roof folds open
- Side windows
- Cost
Best Heated Dog House – Dog Palace Heated and Insulated Dog House
The Dog Palace is the best heated and insulated dog house available.
The house is fully insulated with 2-4 inch insulation to help keep your pup warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Plus, the heater in this insulated dog house comes with a remote and digital thermostat so you can adjust the temperature as the weather changes.
The interior floor is slightly angled with a drain hole to keep the dog house dry and makes it even easier to clean.
- Style – Barn with rounded roof
- Size – 47.5 x 31.5 x 38.5 inches
- Colors – Available in two colors (Tan and Dark Brown, Taupe and Gray)
- Material – Plastic with insulated floors, roof, and sides
- Fully insulated
- It comes equipped with a heater
- Self closing door
- Easy to clean
- Price
Easiest To Assemble Dog House for Cold Weather – MidWest Homes for Pets Eillo Folding Outdoor House with Insulation Kit
The Midwest Homes Dog House is a folding portable dog house that does not require tools to put it together, making it easy to store when it is not needed.
The removable top allows for easy access to the house to clean and switch out bedding.
There is a Midwest Homes Dog House insulation kit designed to fit these houses perfectly for extremely cold areas, and since it is removable, you can take it out during the summer.
Plus, the raised design helps to increase ventilation and keeps your dog dry.
- Style – Rectangle with a flat roof
- Size – Available in three sizes (21.74 x 33.59 x 25.28 inches, 25.24 x 40.60 x 29.10 inches, 28.94 x 45.16 x 33.12 inches)
- Colors – Taupe
- Material – Water resistant stained wood
- Raised off the ground
- Winter insulation kits are available for this model.
- It can accommodate dogs up to 80 lbs
- Stylish
- Durable asphalt roof
- It does not come with a door flap.
- Not heated
Helpful Accessories to Winterize a Dog House
In addition to getting the best insulated dog house, there are some other helpful accessories you can pick to help keep your dog comfortable in the colder months.
If your dog house does not have a heater, consider getting a heating pad to keep your dog warm, especially in the evenings.
However, when choosing the right type, be sure to find one that is made for the outdoors, like the K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Pad
If you already have a dog house, but it doesn’t have a heater, consider adding a Hound Heater Akoma Dog House Furnace to keep your dog warm all winter long.
If your dog house doesn’t have a dog door or flap, consider adding one to help keep the cold weather out, such as the TRIXIE Pet Products Plastic Door
Heated water bowls are another great winter tool, that way; you never have to worry that your dog’s water bowl froze overnight. The K&H Thermal Water Bowl works even in temps as low as -20⁰ Fahrenheit.
If you are looking for other tips and tricks on how to keep your dog’s house warm in the wintertime, check out this article: How to Insulate a Plastic or Wooden Dog House.
What to Look for When Selecting an Insulated Dog House
When choosing the best insulated dog house for your pup, there are several factors to keep in mind before you buy.
Some of the various factors include:
- Style – This is not just aesthetics, but the design of the dog house needs to be the right fit for your climate. Some dog houses have asphalt roofs, and others are just plastic; choosing the best one depends on your situation.
- Materials – Most dog houses are either wood or plastic. They are both excellent materials, but the material changes the cost and sometimes the resistance to the elements.
- Durability – Dog houses need to be durable to sit outside year-round. You want to make sure that you choose one that can hold up against the moisture if you live in a damp climate.
- Insulation – Some dog houses come with insulation, and others offer removable insulation kits. And the type, quality, and quantity of insulation matters, too.
- Location – Where you plan to put the dog house will help determine how insulated it needs to be. Some dogs have a dog house in the garage which needs less insulation than others. Or, if it is outside on the uneven ground, it’s best to choose one with adjustable feet.
- Door – Dog houses have a variety of door types such as vinyl flaps, open, and self closing. If you are buying a dog house that will keep your pup warm, you will want to find one that has at least a door cover to keep the elements out.
- Ease of Cleaning – All dog houses need to be cleaned, and some are easier to clean than others. It is best to look for one that has a removable top or a roof that opens.
- Raised Flooring or Raised House – Some dog houses sit directly on the ground but have a raised interior, whereas other houses are fully raised off the ground, which helps with ventilation.
- Cost – Dog houses can be expensive, and everyone’s budget is different; dog houses range in price.
- Size – If you get a dog house that is not already insulated, you will wantit to be big enough to add insulation when it gets cold, but not so big it’s drafty.
Final Verdict
My number one recommendation for a winterized insulated dog house is the Dog Palace with a heater.
For the times that it is bitter cold out, having a heater in addition to insulation will keep your dog safe and comfortable too.
Runner up is the ASL Solutions Foam Insulated dog house.
It has thick insulated walls that help keep your dog comfortable year-round, and if your dog already has a heavy coat, they may not need a heater.
FAQs
How Warm Is a Dog House in the Winter?
A dog house is usually only 11 degrees warmer than the outside temperatures3.
What’s the Best Thing to Put In a Dog House for Warmth?
A heater is the best thing you can add.
And many existing dog houses can have one added to help keep your dog warm.
Are Igloo Dog Houses Good for Winter?
They are good dog houses, but they may need insulation added during the winter.
Can You Put a Heat Lamp in a Dog House?
It is best to use an approved dog house heater to avoid burns and fires.
Do Dogs Stay Warm in a Dog House?
If the dog house is adequately equipped for the cold temperatures, it will be safe.
References
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-dogs-get-frostbite/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hypothermia-in-dogs-how-cold-is-too-cold/
- DrErnieWard. “How Cold Does It Get in a Dog House? Dr. Ernie Ward.” YouTube, 7 Jan. 2017, https://youtu.be/uK27edLsZow
