Most dog owners choose to keep their pet inside their home and save themselves from the hassle of building or maintain the dog house. However, many owners build a dog house to provide a private space for their pets and for keeping guard or maintaining hygiene of home.

A doghouse, dog house, dogshed or kennel is a small shed commonly built in the shape of a house, a shelter intended for a dog. It is a structure in which a dog is kept and it is intended to provide a safe place to dogs outdoors.

When you build a house for your dog it is important to keep check on wear and tear, and hygiene issues too, so your dog can enjoy a safe shelter.

Here are 5 Steps on maintaining your dog house

Disinfect the entire house

You must regularly disinfect your dog house for prevention from fleas, tick and other allergies. Keeping the dog shelter clean ensures that your own home is safe from germs.

You can find various disinfectants in the market, however, if you are using a bleach solution, do care to dilute it in the ratio of 1:32 (one part of bleach with thirty-two parts of water). After using the bleach, do not forget to rinse the surfaces inside the house to prevent any chemical ruins and inhalation.

Regularly clean accessories and materials

Regularly empty and clean water bowl, food bowl, toy and sheets or blankets. Keeping sheets and blankets under the sunlight kills most of the germs without the need to wash it often. Dogs often have a habit of bringing foreign stuffs inside their kennel. You must remove them and keep the inside cleaner to prevent germ infestation.

Provide cold-proof layer

If your city or suburb is colder or has a harsh winter, it is important that you provide extra protection for your dog. Warm the dog's indoor bed if the dog lies directly on cold and try making an elevated bed from the floor. Avoid metal or concrete for the floor.

Consider using a hot water bottle or a microwavable heating pad, designed to stay warm for up to 12 hours. Using heated water and food bowl is a good option. You can also add inner wall to provide insulation from cold. Care to use a plastic or flaps as the door to keep the cold out.

Check for leakages

Because of wear and tear, the dog house can endure leakage over the time. This poses a problem during rain, winter and wind.

Start by removing all the old shingles and sub-roofing. Add a layer of insulation, lay down some water-resistant membrane, and then re-shingle. You can also use water proof coating or cover for the house

Upgrade or improve doghouse every year

Although you need to clean the dog house every week, the entire house may require an upgrade or maintenance to keep it safe, clean and hygienic. The major upgrade can be done once a year.

If the growth of size is continuous, you must design the house according to dog's proportionate size. Building a larger dog house may not be suitable for smaller dogs, and vice versa.

You can consult with the Vet and experts to learn more about housing conditions and requirements.