Last Updated on November 16, 2021 by Marco C.
If you want to raise an outdoor dog – be it as a guard dog or as a pet – you need to make sure your canine is safe. So, here we’ve listed the 5 best dog heaters for outdoors and how to use them.
Even if you don’t live in a particularly northern climate, nighttime temperatures can often drop pretty significantly. Labrador retrievers and other northern breeds can withstand some quite low temperatures. yet, even they can get in trouble if forced to sleep in the cold. So, keeping your outdoor pet warm should be one of your first priorities
When and Why Should I Use Dog Heaters For Outdoors?
There are many things you should watch out for and prepare if you are going to keep a canine as an outdoor pet. Proper fencing and shelter are out there, as is physical shelter from the elements. Comfort is crucial too if you want a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted dog. Heat is arguably one of the most important things to do, however, and yet, a lot of dog owners ignore it.
Canine hypothermia is no joke and so you should have a dog heater ready as soon as you get your dog. Even if it’s not the cold season yet, spring, autumn, and even summer nights can get pretty cold too. Additionally, some dogs will need the extra heating regardless of the weather or climate. Such cases include senior dogs, dogs with certain health conditions, whelping bitches, as well as quite a few southern and/or short-haired dog breeds.
Even if you have a healthy and hardened Husky, however, you should still have a dog house heater ready to go.
What Are The Key Components In An Outdoor Pet Heater You Should Look For?
Good dog heaters for outside use should first and foremost be approved for non-indoor space. This one is obvious, yet, many people make this mistake. They use standard indoor heaters outdoors, thinking that everything will be alright if it doesn’t rain. Rain is far from the only risk factor, however. Wind, cold, moisture, and even pests and debris can also cause accidents.
So, first, limit your search to outdoors-approved heaters only. The next things to look for include a good enough heating power, a thermostat, a safety mechanism, and skin burn protection for the dog.
Which Are The Best Dog Heaters For Outdoors On The Market?
Outdoor dog house heaters come in many different types. Additionally, there are new models coming out every year. So, you might want to do quite a bit of extra research even after this article. But, we can still get you started with 5 of the best products on the market as of the writing of this text.
Vornado AVH2 Whole Room Vortex Heater
A classic option, the Vornado AVH2 model is what most people imagine when they think of a space heater. And while standard space heaters can be a bit too noisy for the confined space of a dog house, the Vornado AVH2 is quiet enough to not bother your dog.
This model is also lightweight, portable, approved for safe outdoor use, and safe for your dog upon contact. It has a maximum heating power of 1,500W. This should be enough for most situations and it also comes with the flexible auto climate control feature.
Akoma Heat-N-Breeze Dog House Heater
The Hound Heater dog house furnace from Akoma is both powerful enough to heat a large dog house (up to 75 square feet!) and it’s also perfectly safe for your dog.
The 300W heating element of this heater has a very long life and can adjust for anywhere between 30 and 100oF. It also has an automatic thermostat which allows it to run on it’s only and only when it’s needed.
De’Longhi Mica Thermic Panel Heater
If you value style as much as you do function, the De’Longhi thermic panel heater covers both. It has an impressive heating power of 750W to 1,500W and it’s approved for outdoor dog house use. It has an adjustable and reliable thermostat too. It’s also equipped with a safety thermal cut-off in case of an accident.
BYB Ceramic Infrared Heat Emitter
If you’re looking for an overhead option, this BYB ceramic infrared heating lamp is both highly effective and very affordable. It’s very easy to mount and use too, which is a nice plus.
This heater is also waterproof and emits no visible light despite being called a lamp. It’s made for standard US electrical sockets so keep that in mind if you’re shopping from outside the US. Another keynote is that it can burn on touch. So, it should be placed at a safe distance above your dog’s head and back. This makes it ill-suited for low dog houses.
K&H Manufacturing Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Bed
Another great way to keep your dog’s house warm is with a heated bed. This K&H is perfectly practical and approved for both indoor and outdoor use and is a great option for keeping your dog warm. It uses very little energy and can work constantly and safely even in freezing temperatures.
You’d find such an item especially useful in the dead of winter. It can be paired with a space heater or an above-head ceramic heating lamp. Plus, the bed is lightweight and easily portable between the dog house and indoors.
In Conclusion – How To Make Sure That You’ve Found The Perfect Dog Heaters For Outdoors?
The best way to heat a dog house is a combination of three things:
- Proper positioning, i.e. keeping the dog house away from strong air currents
- Adequate insulation for the dog house to make sure the heat inside of it doesn’t escape easily
- A really good heater. Whether a heated pad/bed, a ceramic wall heater, a ceiling heater, or another type – it should be both safe and effective.
Tick all three of these boxes and your dog should be safe from the midnight cold regardless of the exact temperature and climate.
Read more about: What Is The Best Harness For Labrador Retriever Dogs?
