Building suitable dog kennels is about more than just making a comfortable place for your dog to sleep, it can be vitally important in keeping your dog safe and healthy, here is a list of 10 factors you must consider when building your dog kennel:
1. Building and Zoning Regulations for your Neighborhood
This is the absolute first thing you should do is check with the building officials in your neighborhood in order to prevent you from possibly wasting your time energy and money. Your local housing board or city council office will provide you with all the information you will need to know.
2. How much will the Kennel cost to build?
After you find out if you can legally build a dog house you must know if you can financially build the dog house. Your costs will depend on the size of your dog, the number of dogs you intend to house and the materials you decide to use. Generally speaking building a dog kennel will cost about $150 to $500.
3. Sizing the Kennel to ensure your Dog is Comfortable
The size of your dog kennel will be dependent upon the size of your dog. The kennel should be big enough for it to comfortably turn around and lay down in, and small enough to retain your dog's body heat if you live in colder temperatures. Your kennel's width and length should be 25% bigger than your dog's length excluding its tail. The kennel's height should be at least 25% bigger than your dog's height. As for the door it should be an inch higher than your dog's back (dogs normally "duck" to enter dog houses) and three inches wider than your dog's girth.
4. Choose the Right Materials
Buying quality materials is essential to a strong dog house. Dog-friendly materials are a must, so make sure the wood used is untreated softwood and plywood, everything that comes into contact with your pets must be safe. Your dog house must also be able to withstand the elements such as wind, rain, snow plus any wear and tear from your dog.
5. Ensure Proper Kennel Placement
Of upmost importance is finding the right spot for your kennel. An area with a nice balance of shade and sunlight is best. Shade because having your dog constantly in the direct sun is unhealthy resulting in possible sunstroke but it should also have some sunlight to dry up the kennel floor and possible bacteria. Building on elevated ground is also important to prevent against your kennel turning into a mud pit after rain and snow, the elevation will help the water to drain away from the kennel.
6. Build the Kennel Floor Off-Ground
Building the kennel off ground prevents against your dog lying on damp soil. This also prevents the doghouse wood from rotting further extending its lifetime.
7. Be Sure to Ventilate the Doghouse
Ventilation is essential in hot weather as good airflow will prevent your dog from overheating. Ventilation is essential in cold and damp weather because a dog's moist breath can cause steam in the house thereby causing mold to form. The kennel door plus vents placed at the peak of the roof should provide adequate ventilation.
8. Insulation is Vital
In cold winters and on rainy days insulation is key to keeping your dog warm. Take the weather conditions in your area into consideration to choose the appropriate insulation for your kennel Make sure to choose insulation that is easy to trim and install, and remember to cover the insulation with ¼ inch of plywood so your dog does not eat the insulation.
9. Build with a Consideration for Sanitation
A clean doghouse helps keep your dog healthy. Build your kennel with proper ventilation and drainage, this makes it easier on you when its time for the kennel to be hosed out. Also to make kennel cleaning easier you may consider attaching a removable roof, held by cabin hook.
10. Finish it up with Bedding
Lying on a cold floor is not only uncomfortable for your dog but it can also be hard on your dog's bones. The final touch that will turn your doghouse into a doghome is to add a rug, blanket, or pillow.
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