Even more so than the cold, dogs are vulnerable to hot weather. They can become dehydrated and suffer from heat stroke just like us and baking in a hot kennel can be fatal. In this article we explore some of our top choices for the best dog house for hot weather and how they’ll keep your pup cool during the warm months. 
If you keep your dog outside during the summer months, it’s important you consider not only the temperature outside, but the temperature inside your kennel as well.
Just like in cars, where the temperature inside a car can be much, much hotter than in the open air, the temperature in kennels can become unsafe.
Finding the best dog house for hot weather means finding a kennel than offers protection and shade from the heat. A dog house will absorb heat from the ground, so a raised floor is important. Adequate ventilation will help keep the temperature inside the kennel cool, and having one or more air vents to open up the kennel to the cool air will prevent your dog from overheating.
Be sure to place your dog house in a shaded area. You can spend a fortune on the best dog house for hot weather and your dog won’t get the benefit of your investment because it is placed in a sunny location. Use natural shade of a tree or a building to keep your dog and their kennel cool.
Best Dog House for Hot Weather – Must Haves
- When searching for the best dog house for hot weather here are a few things that you should consider.
- The dog house should have a raised floor so it doesn’t absorb the heat from the ground.
- It should have lots of ventilation to keep cool air circulating through the kennel.
- It should have a space where the dog can sit out, preferably in shade, but a flat roof also suffices in some climates
Best Dog House for Hot Weather
Trixie Pet Products Rustic Dog House
Trixie Rustic Dog House
Perfect for small and medium sized pets this wooden dog house has a raised floor and an integrated, shaded space for the dog to lie in hot weather. Its size makes it suitable for small dogs and medium sized dogs of up to 70lbs, such as a Labrador.
The raised floor means it doesn’t absorb heat from the ground and the legs on the dog house are adjustable so, if your ground is uneven, you can still install the kennel so it is level and comfortable for your dog.
There’s a removable floor to improve ventilation and the roof opens up also. The wooden construction means it’s possible to easily drill extra ventilation holes in the dog house if you would like to.
- The main reasons this makes the list for best dog house for hot weather are:
- Raised floor to prevent heat being absorbed from the ground and making your dog uncomfortable.
- The shaded area which makes up half the size of the dog house, is a great area for the dog to lie outside in very warm weather, protected from the sun.
- The ventilation in the dog house is very good with a removable floor and an uncovered entrance.
One thing to note is that there have been some reports of some houses arriving damaged. So when if you decide on the Trixie dog house be sure to look it over when it arrives and return if need be.
Merry Pet ‘Room with a View’ Dog HOUSE (MPS002)
Room with a View
An unusual looking dog house with steps and a balcony area on the roof of the kennel. It’s only suitable for small dogs but is very attractive and offers a flat space on the roof of the kennel for your dog to lie on when it gets really hot.
The floor is raised so doesn’t absorb heat from the ground. You will need to insert extra ventilation holes in the kennel to ensure proper ventilation if your climate is very hot, but overall this dog kennel has many features which make it a best dog house for hot weather.
Main Features
- A safe and practical space for the dog to lie on when it gets really hot.
- Although the space isn’t covered, this is sufficient in most climates.
- A raised floor, so no heat is absorbed from the ground.
- An uncovered entrance to allow cool air to circulate in the dog house.
- Simple wooden, single walled construction means it isn’t insulated to keep warm air in, but it is also easy to drill extra air vents in the wood if the kennel gets too warm in your climate.
Suncast DH350 Dog House
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Suncast D350. This molded plastic design is flat packed for ease of transport and must be assembled by the owner. It is suited for dogs up to 100lbs.
Suncast DH350
The single walled construction doesn’t offer any insulation and has plenty of ventilation to allow cool air into the kennel. It comes with plastic entrance covering, but this can easily be removed to provide further ventilation.
It doesn’t have a raised floor, and so it may need to be raised on a wooden pallet or other support mechanism to stop heat being absorbed from the ground. It is an affordable option with great ventilation for pet owners in warm climates. Also, this model comes in differing sizes so that you can adjust for the size of your dog at home.
This dog house makes the list for best dog house for hot weather because it has excellent ventilation and a removable entrance cover to allow cool air in, this makes the kennel excel in warm climates. Made with single walled construction means it isn’t insulated and so it doesn’t trap warm air in the kennel which can make for an uncomfortable pup.
Why Choose a Dog House for Hot Weather
If you house your pet outside it’s important that the dog house is comfortable for your pooch in all weather conditions and especially in the hot weather. Heat can be fatal for a dog and they’re very sensitive to becoming overheated as it’s difficult for them to regulate their body temperature if they can find adequate shade.
Making a choice from our list for best dog house for hot weather will ensure your pet is comfortable during the summer months. Always take care to ensure the dog house is suited to the size of your pet and your particular climate, if you have very hot summers you will need further advice from your vet. Also make sure your pet has access to plenty of shade and has lots of water.
Hopefully you’ve got some good ideas about housing your pet in the warm summer temperatures. Our favorite on the list was the Suncast as it was the most reasonably price, provided adequate shade, and was big enough for a lot of different sizes of dogs.
