Those cold winter months can chill you to the bone, especially when the sun sets. Many of us forget that, even though they are equipped with fur, our beloved dogs and cats are living outside in the freezing cold. Fur does not necessarily keep them warm all through winter and sometimes our animal friends need a little help. Building a heated cat and dog house is a great way to give Fido and Kitty a warm place to sleep at night, while protecting them from the elements.
Instructions
1. Plan out the design of your dog and cat house ahead of time. Know what dimensions and how much material you need. Being prepared will keep from having to stop in the middle of the project to buy more materials.
According to Ron Hazelton, who hosts many home improvement television series, you should make the width of the house equal to your dog's length and then add 12 inches. Add 18 inches to the length of your dog to come up with the recommended length of the house. The height for the house should be the sum of your dog's height plus 9 inches in the front and your dog's height plus 3 inches in the back.
2. Build the base of the cat and dog house first using treated 4-inch-by-4-inch lumber. Lay them edgewise so that the floor of the house is off the ground about four inches. Lay a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood over the floor you have built.
3. Frame the dog and cat house with 2-inch-by-2-inch lumber or 4-inch-by-4-inch lumber, depending on the size you want. When making the back wall of the house, make it at least four inches taller than the front wall so that the roof slopes forward for better rain and snow runoff. Make the entryway by framing it with 2-inch-by-2-inch wood. Be sure to give your dog and cats enough room for them to enter the house and be able to turn completely around inside.
4. Use 1/2-inch plywood for the walls and attach them to the outside of the framing with wood screws. Place the side pieces in place, marking the height of the back and front. Draw a line and cut the side pieces while keeping in mind the proper slope of the roof. Stuff the inside of the wall space with insulation.
5. Attach the roof using hinges at the back for easy access for when you need to clean the inside. Paint the exposed wood with a clear coat of polyurethane to protect it against the elements. Lay tar paper or shingles on top of the roof for added weather protection.
6. Mount an outdoor electric radiant heater to the inside of the cat and dog house wall. Mount the heater according to its specific instructions. It is best to choose a model that has a thermostat control that will kick the heater on and off according to the desired temperature. Be sure to keep the heater up off the floor, away from the bedding or straw that you will need to lay down. For better safety measures, purchases a heater designed specifically for dog and cat houses.
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