How To Cool A Dog House Down In The Summer & Hot Weather

How To Cool A Dog House In The Summer & Hot Weather: 9 Ideas

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We’ve already outlined ways to heat, warm or insulate a dog house for winter and cold weather.

But, in the guide below, we outline potential ways to cool a dog house down in the summer & hot weather.

These tips might particularly be useful for dog owners in warmer climates.

Let’s take a look at them!

 

(NOTE: this is a general informational and educational guide only. It is not professional advice. See a vet or qualified expert for professional advice)

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How To Cool A Dog House In The Summer & Hot Weather: 9 Ideas

 

1. Buy A Dog House That Is Designed To Stay Cooler In Hot Weather 

Firstly, it might make sense to buy a dog house that is designed to insulate, or be suitable for hot weather and summer temperatures.

You can read more about those hot weather dog houses in this guide.

Dog houses on the market that are made especially with insulation, warmth and ventilation in mind might be:

 

For Small Dogs

 

For Medium To Large Dogs 

 

For Extra Large Dogs

 

Another option is this igloo dog house:

 

Features that might make a good hot weather dog house include:

There is insulation in the dog house floor, walls and ceiling to keep the heat out

There are ventilation holes to allow cooling or air to breeze through the dog house

There is enough room on the floor to allow for a cooling dog mad or gel pad

The walls are mesh to allow a fan to be set up outside the dog house

The dog house is built to be a good hot weather dog house, but it is also made of a sturdy long term construction

If the dog house is built of opaque strong material, it has an electrical cord port to allow you to run an electrical cooling device inside the house

The dog house serves as both a hot weather and summer dog house, as well as a winter and cold weather dog house – better value

 

Other than the houses listed above, some owners may find some of these popular dog houses suitable for hotter weather, as long as the dog house is places in the shade, and the dog is kept cool:

– Plastic Dog Houses

 

– Wooden Dog Houses

 

Note that you should measure you dog’s dimensions, and check the inner dimensions of the dog house prior to buying to confirm there will be enough room for your dog. Some of the the above dog houses may or may not be suitable for your individual dog, depending on their size

 

2. Put The Dog House In The Shade, Or In A Cool Spot

This might be the most important point.

Whether it’s a new or existing dog house, having it in a cooler spot is critical.

The dog house shouldn’t be out in the hot sun all day.

Having the dog house undercover in the shade can help.

Outside, you might put the dog house under an umbrella or gazebo on the grass, or bring it under the patio roof for protection from the sun.

You may also choose to keep it off of hot surfaces like pavement and concrete.

Even better might be somewhere inside where there’s no direct sun exposure, and where the air temperature is cooler and less humid.

Some people may even bring the dog house into the garage if it’s cool enough, or inside the house itself.

 

3. Insulate and Patch Up A Dog House

For an existing dog house, insulating it can help keep heat out

You can do that by filling any gap and joints plus small holes with a caulk or gap filler.

You may also decide to retrofit insulation to the dog house, and cover over it with heat reflective material (that reflects heat before it can get into the dog house).

 

4. Install A Dog Door

Installing a dog door is another measure against letting heat in.

You can do a DIY dog door out of vinyl, rubber or even an old cut up t shirt, or you can purchase and install a pre made one for a cheap price.

 

5. Put A Self Cooling Dog Mat/Pad With Gel On The Dog House Floor

Self cooling dog mats and pads are pretty simple – they are a thin pad with self cooling gel on the inside.

They have some level of cushioning to make them more comfortable.

A popular option is the:

 

You can read more about cooling dog beds and self cooling dog pads and mats here.

 

6. Put A Self Cooling Dog Bed With Gel On The Dog House Floor

Self cooling dog beds offer a lot more support and cushioning for a dog’s joints and bones than a self cooling dog mat or pad.

The tradeoff though is that they perhaps don’t feel as cool as a cooling pad as beds are much thicker and the cooling gel is infused in the memory foam.

You can use them both in good combination though – a cooling mat on top of a cooling bed.

A popular gel infused memory foam dog bed is the Dogbed4less Orthopedic Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Bed (on Amazon).

Another is the iComfort Sleeper Sofa Bed With Gel Memory Foam (on Amazon)

There’s also outdoor dog beds that are made of a mesh fabric that are good for breathability and ventilation if you have a breeze coming through.

Read more about self cooling dog beds here.

 

7. Put A Cooling Coat/Vest On Your Dog

Cooling coats work by an evaporative effect – the same way that sweating works for humans.

You soak them in water, wring them out, and put them over your dog like a dog vest or harness.

Some people even put them in the fridge or freezer.

They can make walks and laying in a dog house cooler and more comfortable.

A popular cooling coat is the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Vest (on Amazon)

You can check out some of the best cooling coat/vest options for dogs here.

 

8. Dog House Fan

Some insulated dog houses comes with fans you can install on the dog house.

One such example of this is the ASL Solutions Dog Palace or DP Hunter dog houses.

They have a solar powered dog house fan option that you can run as an accessory which is designed to ventilate the dog house.

You can check out the ASL Dog houses and fan accessories in this guide.

 

9. External Or Freestanding Mini/Portable Fan

Lastly, if your dog house has a big enough opening, or it has mesh sidewalls, you can get a mini or portable or even a standing fan and blow air into the dog house for cooling.

A water mist fan works fantastically for this.

The Elitefield 3 Door Folding Portable Outdoor/Indoor Pet Home (on Amazon) is an example of a hybrid portable dog crate/pet home with fabric mesh walls to allow for a breeze to come through the dog house, and for heat to escape.

If you have a dog house like the ASL dog houses, they even include an electrical cord port at the back to run electrical devices inside the dog house – you may run a small portable or handheld fan inside the dog house if you can mount it to one of the walls successfully and safely.

 

Other Notes On Cool Conditions For Your Dog

It goes without saying that your dog should have plenty of water available every day – not just on hot days.

Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and body signs on hot days – if they are excessively panting, or showing signs that they are stressed by the heat – that these could be good signs you need to help them move to cooler and more comfortable conditions (and safer conditions).

 

Other Tips For Cooling Your Dog

Here is a list of other general tips for cooling your dog in warmer weather

 

 

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