Heated pad for doghouse?

**Orchid** · 07-18-2007, 01:50 PM

Okay, okay, I know it's the middle of July, but I'm a planner, and after all this is Minnesota.

My Basset hound, Fluppy, is getting up there in years (she's 12) and so is a bit slower and stiffer than she used to be, albeit not much. She sleeps in the house overnight as soon as the weather starts to get chilly, but she must be out in her kennel and insulated dog house during the day while we are gone since she is a house destroyer when we are gone for more than an hour or so.

I've been thinking that a heated pad with a dog bed on top of it in her doghouse might be just the thing for keeping her warm and comfy and any stiffness to a minimum in the cold months of the year. She doesn't chew her beds or anything else in the kennel, so no worries about chewing the cord or the pad itself.

Is there any reason I should not do this?

**Diamond_Y** · 07-18-2007, 02:21 PM

I'm certainly no expert . . . heck I live in Texas, what do I know about cold? BUT I would think it would be fine as long as it was rated for outdoor use so there was no chance of her getting shocked or it causing a fire.

ETA: We used to raise feeder pigs and used heat lamps with the piglets were new born. That might be an option, again if you can install it to minimize the fire risk.

pvf · 07-18-2007, 02:26 PM

Yep, not a problem, I also know that others have built a dog house and used them as insulation on the floor. That way they can't get near it or the cord to chew it up. And then they put there bed down.
(I maybe didn't explain it the best just think of it was a wall in your house and the heating pad was inbetween the walls.)
But as long as she doesn't chew you will be fine.

**Orchid** · 07-18-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamond_Y

I'm certainly no expert . . . heck I live in Texas, what do I know about cold? BUT I would think it would be fine as long as it was rated for outdoor use so there was no chance of her getting shocked or it causing a fire.

ETA: We used to raise feeder pigs and used heat lamps with the piglets were new born. That might be an option, again if you can install it to minimize the fire risk.

If her house was taller, a heat lamp might be a possibility, but hubby built the house to her physical specifications - it's long and looooowwww.

I'll be sure to double check that they are rated for outdoor use - thanks!

And, pvf, I do know what you mean.

**Applejack** · 07-18-2007, 02:44 PM

When I was looking at one for Kobey, I was concerned about it getting wet and him getting shocked (assuming you’re looking at the electric ones). But pvf’s idea, under the floor, would keep it from getting wet.

Innocent Fluppy is a house destroyer?

**Orchid** · 07-18-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Applejack

Innocent Fluppy is a house destroyer?

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Yes indeed she is...she'll even get into the pantry, pull out boxes of cereal, and shred them. She's chewed up hats, shoes, cat beds, mittens, rugs...gets into the garbage...she is downright naughty! But I don't want to crate her in the house, as she despises crates, but loves her doghouse. And, when you're in the house, even if she's sleeping two floors away (she loves the heated floor in the basement family room), she wouldn't touch a thing. Go figure... She's an enigma, but we love her anyway.

Jadesmygirl · 07-18-2007, 03:15 PM

Oh, that was probably Not Me's doggie counterpart. I hardly believe that Fluppy would be capable of such antics.

I like the heating pad idea. You can never plan too soon for winter here!!

**Range** · 07-18-2007, 03:32 PM

They make heated dog beds.....

wildcat180 · 07-18-2007, 03:48 PM

How about something like this? They make these for indoor and outdoor use. Just check on whatever one you plan on buying...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=1765

**Orchid** · 07-18-2007, 03:53 PM

Oh, I wasn't clear.

That is exactly what I am thinking of buying, wildcat - not a "heating pad" but a heated dog bed pad, with an additional bed on top of it for cushy-ness.

pvf · 07-18-2007, 04:10 PM

I knew what you were talking about. Some people let their dogs lay on them like that and with the dogs that like to chew they turn there dog houses into ones with infloor heat.

wildcat180 · 07-18-2007, 04:28 PM

No, sorry, you were clear, I just didn't read it all the way through. I thought you were asking for ideas on what to use, not if there's any reason not to.

Those work wonderfully and if you can find a way to cover it, she probably won't chew it.

Depending on what kind of dog house you have for her, you could also put it under the dog house. It won't be as warm as her laying with only a bed between her and the pad, but she will be warmer than if she didn't have it at all.

Another option, if you're worried about her chewing and possibly getting shocked is something called Snuggle Safe. It's a plastic thing filled with some stuff. (Real good description, huh?) You microwave it to heat it up and it stays warm for hours. You just slip it under her bed. I have one and I love it. I've used it for a variety of animal things. Just another option you do have available for her...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pCatId=1074

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07-18-2007, 01:50 PM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,089	Heated pad for doghouse? Okay, okay, I know it's the middle of July, but I'm a planner, and after all this is Minnesota. My Basset hound, Fluppy, is getting up there in years (she's 12) and so is a bit slower and stiffer than she used to be, albeit not much. She sleeps in the house overnight as soon as the weather starts to get chilly, but she must be out in her kennel and insulated dog house during the day while we are gone since she is a house destroyer when we are gone for more than an hour or so. I've been thinking that a heated pad with a dog bed on top of it in her doghouse might be just the thing for keeping her warm and comfy and any stiffness to a minimum in the cold months of the year. She doesn't chew her beds or anything else in the kennel, so no worries about chewing the cord or the pad itself. Is there any reason I should not do this? __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.

07-18-2007, 02:21 PM
Diamond_Y Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,809	I'm certainly no expert . . . heck I live in Texas, what do I know about cold? BUT I would think it would be fine as long as it was rated for outdoor use so there was no chance of her getting shocked or it causing a fire. ETA: We used to raise feeder pigs and used heat lamps with the piglets were new born. That might be an option, again if you can install it to minimize the fire risk. __________________ Diamond Y Quarter Horses - Breeders of Quality Foundation Quarter Horses Home of King of Cooke County, 2004 Perlino son of Cooke County ETC

07-18-2007, 02:26 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,781	Yep, not a problem, I also know that others have built a dog house and used them as insulation on the floor. That way they can't get near it or the cord to chew it up. And then they put there bed down. (I maybe didn't explain it the best just think of it was a wall in your house and the heating pad was inbetween the walls.) But as long as she doesn't chew you will be fine. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

07-18-2007, 02:44 PM
Applejack Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,256	When I was looking at one for Kobey, I was concerned about it getting wet and him getting shocked (assuming you’re looking at the electric ones). But pvf’s idea, under the floor, would keep it from getting wet. Innocent Fluppy is a house destroyer? __________________ If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.

07-18-2007, 03:15 PM
Jadesmygirl Started Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,543	Oh, that was probably Not Me's doggie counterpart. I hardly believe that Fluppy would be capable of such antics. I like the heating pad idea. You can never plan too soon for winter here!!

07-18-2007, 03:32 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,898	They make heated dog beds..... __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

07-18-2007, 03:48 PM
wildcat180 Seasoned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,130	How about something like this? They make these for indoor and outdoor use. Just check on whatever one you plan on buying... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=1765 __________________ My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!-Marquis de Sade

07-18-2007, 03:53 PM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,089	Oh, I wasn't clear. That is exactly what I am thinking of buying, wildcat - not a "heating pad" but a heated dog bed pad, with an additional bed on top of it for cushy-ness. __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.

07-18-2007, 04:10 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,781	I knew what you were talking about. Some people let their dogs lay on them like that and with the dogs that like to chew they turn there dog houses into ones with infloor heat. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

07-18-2007, 04:28 PM
wildcat180 Seasoned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,130	No, sorry, you were clear, I just didn't read it all the way through. I thought you were asking for ideas on what to use, not if there's any reason not to. Those work wonderfully and if you can find a way to cover it, she probably won't chew it. Depending on what kind of dog house you have for her, you could also put it under the dog house. It won't be as warm as her laying with only a bed between her and the pad, but she will be warmer than if she didn't have it at all. Another option, if you're worried about her chewing and possibly getting shocked is something called Snuggle Safe. It's a plastic thing filled with some stuff. (Real good description, huh?) You microwave it to heat it up and it stays warm for hours. You just slip it under her bed. I have one and I love it. I've used it for a variety of animal things. Just another option you do have available for her... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pCatId=1074 __________________ My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!-Marquis de Sade