Building a Winter Doghouse for Stray Dogs
With the number of strays in the United States, some pet owners worry about how to protect them during the harsh weather of winter. One of the best ways you can help stray dogs in your community is by building or buying a winter doghouse.
Number of Stray Dogs in the United States
The Humane Society of the United States reports that there are about 70 million stray animals (dogs and cats) in the U.S and of that, roughly half are dogs. Unfortunately, it is also estimated that only three million dogs make it to shelters. This means that out of 35 million stray dogs, 32 million are left on the streets throughout the U.S.
The Dangers of Winter for Stray Dogs
It can be very difficult for stray dogs to survive in the winter. Some dangers for stray dogs include:
- Poor nutrition – Stray dogs have limited access to food, and it can be even worse in the winter when things are frozen. They often have exposure to poor quality food, spoiled food, and/or poor nutrients and minerals.
- Frostbite – Frostbite is an injury to tissue that occurs when an animal is exposed to freezing temperatures accompanied by high winds. The primary areas that are affected in dogs include the feet, tail, and tips of the ears. This is even more common when a stray dog gets wet.
- Trauma – Many dogs will wander in the winter to search for food. This can lead to trauma from being hit by a car, gunshot wounds, lacerations, and much more.
- Animal attacks – Most stray dogs are intact, which increases their desire to fight with another dog. Animal attacks can occur not just between dogs but also by other animals. They can occur any time of year but may occur more in the winter when predators are hungry. This is largely dependent on location.
- Disease – Stray dogs don’t have the necessary vaccination and parasite control of dogs with homes. They are more commonly exposed to dangerous and life-threatening infectious diseases.
Tips for Building a Winter Doghouse
One way to protect outdoor dogs in the winter is to build a doghouse. The best place to place a doghouse for strays is somewhere out of the wind where dogs have easy access.
Here are some tips to consider as you build your winter doghouse:
- Size – The correct size for a winter doghouse is big enough for a dog to sit, stand, and turn around. It doesn’t need to be bigger than that. If it is too big, they will lose heat.
- Outdoor Location – When you place a doghouse outdoors, it is important to consider water movement, flooding potential, and wind direction. If it is on someone else’s property, you need to ask permission to place the doghouse. If you are thinking of a spot, before you place the doghouse, go there after heavy rain. Look to see where and how the water runs off. Monitor for storm direction and position the doghouse with the opening against the wind.
- Bedding – The best bedding is fresh clean straw. Blankets can hold moisture and freeze.
- Winter Doghouse Essentials – To build your winter doghouse, you will need to consider several essentials in the design. They include an elevated floor to minimize exposure to wet cold ground, an insulated interior (such as with EPS foam), a waterproof roof (shingle or metal), and a door or flap. You can create a “door” by using thick heavy plastic cut as flaps and nailed across the top to stop the cold wind and weather from entering the doghouse. Doghouses made of wood are the top choice. Avoid metal and tile as they hold the cold temperatures.
- Find a Design and Build - Once you know the doghouse size and have an idea about core elements, it is time to build your doghouse. You can find several online designs including the following: Home Depot’s Guide on How to Build a Doghouse or WikiHow to Build a Doghouse.
- Test the Winter Doghouse – Once you build the doghouse, test it by spraying it with a hose and looking for leaks. Spray from the top, bottom, and sides as you mimic a bad storm. If you find cracks, seal with insulating spray foam. Also make sure there aren’t any exposed nails, sharp edges, or splinters that could injure the dog.
- Position and Level the Doghouse – Position the doghouse based on your location and use a level to ensure it does not wobble.