Need advice on dog crate insulation

B

Beerhunter22

New member
Hey all -- What is everyone's opinion on insulation and dog crates (while transporting, in the field, at home, etc)? How many people have permanent insulation properties to their dog boxes (referring mainly to single dog type boxes) vs the 'insulated covers'? Or do you just go without any? Thanks!
 
Well this will dig up some old posters.:D
Any way, It's 40 below wind chill here now so one has to think about it some up here. At least for these toughest of times in MN. Some one had a great Idea for a coffee can heater using a light bulb for at home, but if the bulb goes????.

In the truck I have my raised bed and a side access topper, so I can stick three porters in there sideways. I take an old heavy comforter and cover all three crates in one big blanket, a heavy old thick one. They stay nice and cozy in there together. I also have sliding windows so cab heat can blow back with couch cussion foam between the glass. Works great. Just keep nice dry bedding in the box. But at home when it is 40 below zero, my dogs are on the couch.
 
Not near the low temps you guys have but anything under 20 brings my GSP's in. I bought a Easy Loader double dog box. It weighs 35 pounds. Sits in the corner of the garage. I bring them in when I go to bed, put them in the boxes and let them out in the am.

Traveling, I have a Mud River Cover on a XL Rough Tough box...works great!
 
The answer to your question probably depends on what part of the country you live in. If you would add a location to your profile then we would all know! My Brittanys are also house dogs. In the house I have two 36"x24" wire crates that are in if we leave the house. But they spend a lot of time in the crates even when we are home. The doors are open and they walk in and take a nap just like they are doing as I write this. For hunting I use to plastic kennels in the back of my Expedition. I have insulated covers for the plastic kennels for when I'm traveling and the dogs will be sleeping in the vehicle at night. I like the versatility of the plastic kennels/insulated covers. If it's warm, no covers. But if needed I can put them on.
 
I definitely appreciate the responses, thanks!! Well I surely can't compete with you all in the far north being here in Nor Cal (sorry about the lack of geographical information) but as this last week has shown it's dipped down into the 20s overnight. I suppose my original inquiry was somewhat directed at those who deal with the 'true cold' as a standard and how you all overcome it so that this Californian can gain some information. So as a general rule is it better to have something with permanent insulation properties? I'm beginning my research for a new single dog crate/box and I'm finding a big discrepancy b/t the big multi dog aluminum boxes and the lighter weight plastic ones. BTW my guy can come into the house at will (via doggie door) but chooses to spend >80% of the time outside; even with the cold (I know, it's only CA cold)! Thanks again all!!
 
Need more info. I assume you are mainly concerned with a crate/kennel when transporting the dog. Is that correct? If so, what type of vehicle are you using? If a pickup, does it have a topper? Sorry for all the questions but just trying to get all the info so we can provide a better response.
 
I have a 2 dog insulated stainless box. It's in the back of my truck so the windows are closed on cold mornings. It also keeps my dogs cooler in the summer in our cen cal heat. What part of the state are you in?
 
As far as aluminum boxes...look at the Patriot boxes (google it). They are great and are light enough to lift. They have a video that shows a tremendous difference in a hot Texas day. As for plastic, I have a double box (Easy Loader) and a single. You can't get a cover for the double but can find a bunch for a single. The Mud River is the Cadillac of covers. Best of luck to you on your decisions?
 
Last edited:
i am from central ia. boy am i going to sound mean. i prefer my large plastic kennels with straw/hay and uninsulated covers. through hunting season i put a topper on my truck. when i talked with my vet he said the insulated covers could possibly get the dogs to hot. my dogs are kept o/s but i do bring my female in for a treat sometimes.
 
When it's cold I throw a fleece blanket in with the dogs plastic crates in the open back of my P/U truck. I tape the vents closed and the dogs are fine.

If they've hunted well I might let them ride home in the back seat but usually not. That's the special treat unless it's getting below about 10 or 15.
 
More concerned with heat than cold but...
Under a topper I use standard vari-kennels tho I have a double door RuffTough that is a swell box.
One can add vents as needed to that box.

In the boxes will be straw, replaced often to absorb moisture.
If one keeps a dog dry, fed, well-bedded, out of the wind and hydrated, an average-conditioned dog will be fine.
Box insulation is most often moot.
Mine have been fine at zero....I have thrown a sleeping bag partially over the boxes but that likely made me feel better than their needing it.

Hunting conditions will be worse on average than any kenneled condition for a dog.
 
I run with a Topper on the back of the truck. I built a raised floor that get dogs off the steel bed and gives me storage room. Carpet padding and outdoor carpet finish it off floor. I then built custom metal cage for dogs. Window Sliders provide adjustable ventilation on all four sides in summer heat. 5 below in KS one year, in a bad ice storm, 1”of Ice on truck, could not get in cab, but back of truck was nice and warm. Given enough bedding material in winter dogs will do just fine. Heck, I’ve even slept in the back of the truck with them when I was cold.
 
Dakotazeb - no worries and thanks for being thorough. I am looking more for a single crate/kennel. It will be transported in a full sized pickup bed w/o shell/cap/topper.

You all bring up a valid point in regards to insulation and dealing with heat (as apposed to my only thinking about cold). If I were to find a single insulated box, what amount of ventilation should I look for (or is at least a minimum)?

Again - thanks for the responses!
 
When travelling the upper midwest I place a piece of pegboard on the floor of a plastic kennel which has 3/4" bumps moulded in the floor, and under that lay a heating pad. Then a couple fleece throws on top of the board for my gsp to snuggle in. I drilled a hole through the crate wall down below the pegboard for the wire to pass through. He can't get to the wire and the heat passes up through the pegboard to the bedding.
When really cold(<20dgrs)I put the setup in the back seat of my crew cab if he has to stay in there over nite,, but he's usually at my feet if I can get him in the motel room.
 
Um, they ride with me in the cab always, regardless of how well we do in the field so I just turn on the heater! :)
 
Hay, Straw, Shavings???

Doesn't a bedding of all three hold moisture and begin to smell?

I used to put redwood shavings in the dog's house; he simply pushed it all out with his nose. I found all the snow, moisture et al from his paws ended up inside the house in the bedding and remained until I had a chance to remove and clean the box.

This procedure doesn't seem to be the most sanitary...
 
My entry was talking about keeping the dog warm "while traveling", not out for a days hunt. When he's wet, muddy, and covered with burr's... Whole different thing.
 
Hey BeerHunter22 I have the plastic dog crates that I covered with the Mud River Kennel covers. They are a little spendy but they are the best ones on the market. We liked them so well we even bought one for my husband's son. I also went to the Goodwill to buy old heavy jackets to put in the crates for the dogs to lay on. They work great and when they are really dirty or tore you can just throw them away because you're not out anything.
 
Just a note....carpet, rugs, jackets and all and sundry should be watched carefully re every dog and their own inclination to chew, which varies as we all know.
Beyond some of those materials offering the chance for mold and holding moisture too long, there exsits some manufactured materials that would be best for a dog not to swallow.
Be mindful of what you stick in a dog's crate past what is easiest or cheapest for the hunter to acquire.
 
Very good point OldDublin. It's very important to keep the bedding materials dry. I usually only use them for a part of a season. I also wanted to add that it's better to use grass hay than straw, because the grass hay will draw the moisture away and won't stay gross and wet like straw does.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top