10 Best Insulated Dog Houses for Winter – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Some pets love being outside. As pet owners, we need to keep them safe from the elements so they don’t get hurt or sick. That’s where insulated dog houses come in handy.

Insulated dog houses provide an extra layer of protection from bad weather. Insulation keeps the indoors cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The next time you have a bad storm, your dog will appreciate the added comfort. Here are our 10 reviews of the best insulated dog houses on the market this year.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 10 Best Insulated Dog Houses

1. AIVITUVIN Insulated Wooden Dog House – Best Overall

Our best overall choice is AIVITUVIN’s insulated wooden dog house. Compared to many dog houses its size, this one is quite affordable and isn’t too heavy. The walls are built with Styrofoam insulation and are painted with non-toxic paint. Inside, the dog house is roomy and has a half-enclosed area for extra comfort. If you need to reach inside the dog house to clean it or add bedding, the roof opens like a chest and locks in place. You can remove the flooring, too.

Buyers mention that the material is easy to scratch and dent, so it’s not great for extreme weather. Still, it’s convenient for you and your dog and is our choice for the best overall insulated dog house.

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2. Dog Palace DP Hunter Insulated Dog House – Best Value

The Dog Palace Hunter insulated dog house is the best for the money. This dog house is truly unique with how well-built it is. With real foam insulation, you can expect about a 30-degree difference in temp with this dog house. So, if it’s 0°F outside, it will be roughly 30°F inside the house.

Despite its sturdiness, the house is lightweight and easy to move. The floor is angled so cleaning is a cinch. Dogs don’t like the double door much since it’s self-closing, but with training, they get used to it. If it appears too confined, the door window pops out.

Many Dog Palace houses already come with a heater installed, but you have to purchase the heater and fan separately with this model. Given its size, it’s only good for small breeds, too.

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3. Dog Palace Insulated Heated Dog House – Premium Choice

Our premium option is another Dog Palace insulated heated house. This house is like the previous version, except it’s larger and comes with a built-in heater. Some people are wary about their dog overheating, but you can control the heater with the remote and digital thermostat. Unfortunately, the heater didn’t work well for some buyers.

Because this house is for larger breeds, it’s a bit heavier and more expensive, but Dog Palace does a great job at making a high-quality product so it’s worth the money.

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4. LEMBERI Durable Waterproof Plastic Dog House

If you need a large, spacious dog house that’s easy to assemble, this dog house is for you. You can assemble this house in about 15–20 minutes, and a screwdriver is included. The walls are a bit thin and there’s no door, so insulation is practically zero. This isn’t a good option if your dog needs protection from extreme weather.

However, the nice thing about this is the wide floor layout. You can easily spread blankets or hay on the floor to add a little insulation. There’s even room for toys and a food bowl unless your dog is a giant breed. Giant breeds won’t fit in the largest design.

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5. Dog Palace CRB Insulated Heated Dog House

Number five on our list is another Dog Palace design, the CRB-insulated heated dog house. It has all the features of the previous models, including the heater and fan with some extra room in the floor plan. This house is so large, giant breeds like Great Danes could fit comfortably in this house. Plus, the circular shape makes for perfect lounging.

The downside is the price—it’s a very expensive dog house. There’s also no quick-release option on the roof, so you may wear down the screws every time you remove the roof. Even so, for giant breeds, this is a great sturdy hut that can’t be beaten.

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6. Petmate Indigo Dog House

You can’t go wrong with a classic dog-loo. Petmates’s Indigo dog house is a classic in dog houses. It’s lightweight, weather resistant, and sturdy, and the circular design is great for curling up. Plus, it’s affordable.

Of course, this design has its drawbacks. There’s no built-in door or insulation, and the design is too confining for some dogs. Petmate offers a removable soft door for an additional cost, but it doesn’t offer much ventilation. Still, there’s no assembly required with this design, which is great if you have zero extra time.

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7. TRIXIE Insulated Outdoor Cat & Dog House

Number seven on our list is the TRIXIE insulated outdoor cat and dog house. This house isn’t built for extreme weather, but it’s designed to withstand light rain. You can leave this on a covered porch for stray cats to find shelter when needed or take the house with you on vacation so your dog has a home of its own.

For those looking for a lightweight, portable option with no assembly required, this could be the dog house for you.

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8. Zooba 2 in 1 Elevated Dog House

If you like camping with your dog, you’ll love this dog house. Really, this is a tent. It’s not as structurally sound and insulated as a regular dog house, but it’s portable, well-ventilated, and waterproof, just like a camping tent. You can have this dog house built in just a few minutes.

The best features of this dog house are the high-elevated flooring and wide opening. Your dog won’t feel cramped in this house and will be protected from any excessive moisture in the area. Unfortunately, there’s no door to attach to this house, not even a zip-up door. You’ll have to attach something else like a tarp or blanket to block out the weather.

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9. TRIXIE Natura Insulated Cat House

TRIXIE offers another affordable option that’s more structurally sound than soft, waterproof material. This little house is easy to assemble and comes with high-elevated flooring and a top-opening roof. The ramp leading into the house also serves as the door and locks in the front.

This is also a con because the animal can’t escape the house from the inside. Most people leave the door open, which doesn’t offer much insulation. In fact, only the roof is fully insulated. Some people have noted that the wood is too soft, so this wouldn’t do well in high-moisture areas. But for a quick, affordable option needed yesterday, this little house is a great deal.

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10. ANPPEX Igloo Indoor Dog and Cat House

If you don’t need anything fancy for your small pet, try ANPPEX igloo indoor dog and cat house. This is a very soft, very cozy little house that also converts into a bed for maximum comfort. The inside cushion is removable for when you need to wash it.

Obviously, this isn’t ideal for all pets. This is more of a plushy dog carrier than anything. But it serves as a great indoor house if your dog or cat needs its own den.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Insulated Dog Houses for Winter

Do Dogs Like Dog Houses? Are They Ethical?

Dogs are den animals so little houses and kennels work well for them, depending on the weather and daily care. How often you put your dog outside is up to you. Just be sure to follow a few rules, such as:

Even with these rules, dogs shouldn’t live their whole lives confined outside. They need socialization and secure housing. But it’s wise to provide shelter for your pooch in case the weather gets rough.

How to Find the Perfect Dog House

Let’s talk about what you should look for in a good dog house.

Size

When choosing a dog house, the most important decision is selecting the right size. Consider how big or small your dog is, and whether he will grow any bigger. If so, you can find estimates of your dog’s breed height and weight when it’s fully grown.

If your dog is fully grown, measure your dog’s height and length when standing (from the top of the head to the floor). Once you have your measurements, add 4 inches to each measurement.

The reason we add 4 inches is so your dog has plenty of room to stand, move, and lay down comfortably. A dog house won’t do your dog much good if they can’t budge. Plus, some dogs like to look around.

Structure

Once you know what size of dog house your dog needs, it’s time to consider the type of dog house you’ll buy. A sturdy structure will withstand your region’s climate, keep your dog safe, and provide a sense of comfort while you’re away.

There are several dog houses that can check all these boxes, and each has their own pros and cons. What matters most is that the house is durable, blocks out moisture, and has proper ventilation.

Ventilation vs Draft: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between ventilation and draft is crucial when selecting a dog house, even if the dog house is insulated.

Drafts are when air seeps through cracks and holes near the bottom of the floor. Ventilation is an intentional air flow near the top of the house, usually through windows and doors.

Why does this matter? Your dog’s health and comfort depend on it. Ventilation allows for quality airflow to maintain temperature and sanitation in the dog house. This means your dog won’t be too hot or too cold, and any messes will dry quickly—you don’t want ammonia floating around in a cramped dog house.

Is Insulation Required?

Insulation maintains temperature during extreme weather, so it’s a good idea in harsh climates. You don’t have to spend money on a fancy insulated dog house if you don’t want to. Natural insulation like hay and straw are great options. You can also install a window AC unit or throw down some blankets.

Training Your Dog to Use the Dog House

You don’t have to force your dog to use the dog house if it doesn’t want to. However, training will teach your dog that the dog house is as much his as the big house.

Training your dog to use the dog house is as simple as crate training. If you have crate trained your dog yet, start there. The experience for you and your dog will carry over.

Here’s a video explaining how to do it.

Conclusion

In these reviews, we discussed our favorite insulated dog houses. Our best overall option is AIVITUVIN Insulated Wooden Dog House. It comes with built-in styrofoam insulation, door flaps, and a cozy living space in the back. For a more affordable option, check out Dog Palace’s DP insulated dog house. The durability of this house can’t be beaten, and you can attach a heater for extra comfort.

Lastly, if you’re willing to spend more money, check out Dog Palace’s Insulated Dog Heating House. It’s similar to the DP model except it comes with a built-in heater.

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Featured Image Credit: Hungry Snail, Shutterstock