Adding dog house heaters: pet health pros and cons

Dog house heaters are a mixed bag when it comes to pet health issues.  They seem to make logical sense if you keep dogs outside and you live where the winters get very cold.  But dog house heaters have to be carefully installed and monitored.  If not, you risk causing serious pet health damage.

Properly installed, today's dog house heaters are usually very safe.  The problem is, many owners either don't know how or cut corners and end up inadvertently causing pet health emergencies, even death.

How dog house heaters enhance pet health, and how they hurt

Dog house heaters are not necessary in most cases.  Modern doghouses are made with insulation, and with a nice bed or some straw on the floor, your dogs will be just fine.  Pet health concerns are not really an issue in most locations.

Where dog house heaters do enhance pet health is where the winters are very cold and windy, especially at night.   Wind-chill temperatures often dip well below zero in many Northern states and in Canada.

If you do use dog house heaters, special care must be taken to install them correctly, especially the wiring, to avoid causing pet health emergencies.  It has to be grounded properly, and all wires have to be insulated against not only the elements, but also chewing dogs.

This points out how dog house heaters can be detrimental to pet health.  Fires are a real possibility, especially if installed in a wooden doghouse.  And electrocution is another risk if the wires are not grounded and properly insulated with thick, impervious material.  Finally, dogs can quickly overheat while sleeping in a heated, enclosed space.

>> Click here to see if an insulated dog house is right for your pet.

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