I had 3 doggies at one time, and getting them winter coats was a bit costly. So at an after-Halloween costume sale, I scored big and saved lots. I purchased several pet/dog costumes for $1.00 to $3.00 each. I looked for outfits that came with warm coats.
For the Yorkie, I purchased an adorable lion outfit with cap and coat. For the Jack Russell, I purchased an adorable unicorn outfit with cap and coat. For the Bichon-Malti-Poo mix, I purchased a tiger outfit, again with cap and coat.
These coats were thick and warm. They were easy to put on with Velcro tabs and well made. I think it was the Target after Halloween sale and I waited till it was 90% off.
I also buy doggie clothes like sweaters and t-shirts out of season at clearance prices. I know it sounds silly, but my doggie loves his warm clothes on cold days. Since he insists on coming with us on outings in winter and it gets cold in the car, someone stays in the car with him to make sure he is warm. I will try to attach one pic of the Jack Russell and Yorkie in coats.
BTW, we were trying to take a photo of Cookie the Jack Russell, alone and at the last second Oso the Yorkie, snuck in to steal the spotlight!
By Annie Rios Hill from Columbia, MO
I have a Rat Terrier who lives outside. Is there a way where I can keep her warm, inexpensively?
By Kayla from southern IL
She needs the inside of her house to be cozy, as draft-free as possible, and dry, You don't want the space to be too big, or she won't be able to warm it with her body heat and will lose too much. It should not be a lot bigger than she is--she should be able to stand up, and turn around, but not much more. Cedar chips are nice, as she can nestle down in them. Blankets are nice, but check them periodically to be sure they're staying dry. If there is a chance the inside of the house might get wet, you'll want something to keep her off the damp--old doormats, or the like might help. Her doorway shouldn't be straight open to invite the winds in. If you can, block it so she just fits through, and if possible, make a "tunnel" of sorts, with a bend or a curve. The house should be insulated as much as possible. If you could get bales of hay or straw to stack around and over it, it would provide amazing insulating qualities, then you could use the straw in the garden in the spring, or as mulch around your plants.
As important as keeping her warm is making sure she has access to water at least twice, and preferably 3 or 4 times each day. She will need more calories, so be sure you're feeding her more than in the summer.
If you need any more hints, don't hesitate to call your local animal shelter and ask for advice. All they want to do is insure animals are well taken care of. They can help you know if you're doing enough, and may be able to help if you need it.
I have a neighbor with a small outside dog (I think its part terrier) he has the dogs bed on the porch and a lamp that you normally use for plants shining on the bed. Its not close enough to burn the dog but it does keep it warm.
I have a great way of keeping my dogs' bed warm. I have an electric "throw" blanket. I got mine at Walmart, and have seen them at Target and K-Mart too, even Big Lots.
We have 2 dogs and 2 small birds. During the winter at night we don't heat the whole house. We have an electric blanket on our bed and our dogs have an electric blanket under their bed with a blanket on top, too.
So my parents have agreed to let me get a dog except my mom doesn't want the dog to be inside, even in the winter. We plan to put the dog in the garage except it's not insulated or connected to the house. We are going to give an enclosed space in the garage to the dog, and provide blankets, a heated bed and a dog house, of course, but is that enough? We aren't sure how to keep the dog warm in the winter.
Hi Ashley,
You didn't say how large or furry your dog is, but all dogs should be indoors in below freezing weather. Small dogs (under 20 lbs.) should be kept inside during the winter months.
Maybe you could ask your mom to keep him in your room or utility/laundry room. He also could be confined in a large crate or inside a dog fence.
To keep him warm in the garage, put down several layers of thick cardboard (you can cut up or fold down a large box) to insulate a dog house or crate from the cold floor.
Inside the dog house or crate, put a plug-in flat warmer that covers the bottom. You can buy these are farm supply stores such as IFA. Or a dog bed covered with towels or blankets.
If you house in a crate in the garage, leave the crate door open so he can get in and out. And cover the crate with warm blankets.
Dogs are animals that like to "den" so making him a warm home to snuggle into will keep him warm and happy.
Good luck, Ashley!
If a dog is going to be kept outdoors only, a person should not have a dog. Dogs need compainionship. It's cruel to treat an animal this way.
You can use cedar chips, for bedding, or an insulated padding for your pet to sleep on. Then you can run a light over his sleeping area, for extra heat.
No, it's not good enough unless you plan to get a dog that likes cold weather, perhaps a husky. No dog should be left along anywhere. They should be part of the family.
I agree that it might be a better idea to wait awhile before getting a dog. A dog is a living breathing member of the family and to just keep it in a garage to play with it when you feel like it isnt doing the dog any favors.
I know youre not responsible for that idea, I just want you to think long and hard about what sort of life you would be creating for your pet. Is that the sort of life you would want for yourself?
I have known dogs who did quite well outdoors year round but were given ample warm bedding and lots of room to run, like in the country.
If your dog has only you for entertainment your mother might be changing her mind about letting you use the garage after the doggie has wrecked something out of loneliness, boredom and frustration while youre away at school.
Yes, please wait, do lots of research, enjoy your friend's dogs and learn all you can so that you can be a suitable companion for a dog when you do get one. A dog is a huge committment and since you are the one who wants one you want to be sure that you are ready to take that on.
Your mother might even soften up in the meantime and I think it's best that a dog is brought into a home where it is welcome. Far too many dogs have been wrecked and ended up in shelters because their human companions didnt care enough about them to learn what their needs are.
Best of luck hon.
My experience with the flat electric warmers was a bust, they DO NOT FEEL WARM TO THE TOUCH, they promise only 44 degrees on the label, so why buy it? And the post above is true, the dog needs to be with its pack, and that's you, so bring him in the house and be good to him! Otherwise he is out there miserable physically with being froze to death (it happens regularly, and even if he survives it's wrong) and also brokenhearted, wondering what he did to be banished from the pack. Dogs' ideal temp is 63' F, and warmer is fine (they like laying on the paved driveway in spring) but winter temps are not okay. Sometimes being a very caring and loving owner and doing the very best for your dog means rehoming him. Good luck.
Ashley, I agree with a lot of the previous posts. Dogs are social creatures and it would be cruel to keep one isolated in a garage.
Think of it this way: How would you feel if you were put in a lonely garage with nothing to do? Sitting in the dark, day after day, waiting for a scrap of attention.
You don't say why your mother won't allow a dog inside. If she's concerned about the shedding, then I hate to tell you this, but everyone will probably track in dog hairs every time they visit the garage.
Personally, I think you should wait until you're on your own and can treat a dog the way it needs to be treated. There is no way to safely keep a dog outside in freezing weather, and even if it's physically safe, it could be very emotionally damaging to the dog to live in such isolation.
Good luck and I hope your mother has a change of heart and allows you to get a dog to keep indoors.
Old "egg crates" (mattress pad) can be cut to help winterize your dog house. Cut the foam to fit the sides and roof of your dog house and staple in place. This will help keep your best friend warm when he has to be outside.
How can I keep my neighbor's dog warm this winter? They keep her outside year round and never pay attention to her. I go out several times a day and play and pet her and just sit with her. I also feed her and give her water; her owners do nothing for her. She's 15 years old, a German Shorthaired Pointer.
By Jody
How do you safely use an infrared light to keep dog warm in cold weather.
Mary from North Florida
Does anyone have a good idea what to use in a dog pen to keep a dog warm, dry, and comfortable (something recyclable?)
By Val
Kitties love to be warm. In summer they enjoy sunny window spots. But winter is different. Keeping your cat warm in the winter can be accomplished using a warming lamp, a heated cat bed, or pad.
