Crates are a great and vital part of a dog’s training when they come into your house. Not only is it usually the palace where they sleep and travel, but it is also a certified safe space for them.

It is a place that they should know is somewhere where they can feel secure and not worry about rooms that have become too crowded or busy for them.

However, that doesn’t mean that being in a dog crate is all sunshine and rainbows.

When the temperature starts to drop in the fall and winter, these little cozy crates for your canine companion can become incredibly cold, making them unsuitable for staying in for long periods. Potentially, even unsafe.

So, what should you do to make sure that your dog is warm enough in those colder times of the year?

That’s the question that we’re going to help you answer here!

In this guide, we will explain the broad temperature ranges that your dog crate should be for your pet pooch, as well as a few ways that you can keep your dog crate warm enough for them when it becomes necessary.

The Importance of Keeping Your Dog Crate Warm

Before we get into the actual question, we should probably explain both why it is important for your dog crate to be warm, as well as what temperature would be considered warm.

As we’ve already mentioned, dog crates are a great space for your dog to feel safe and secure in where their personal space won’t be invaded by anyone, alongside benign a place of warmth when necessary.

However, this is doubly the case for both dogs that are new to the household, as well as young puppies.

Why Your Dog/Puppy Should Be Warm

Outside of it being comfortable for them, puppies in particular are very sensitive to colder temperatures at a young age, as they are more vulnerable to colds, flu, and illnesses at a young age compared to their adult selves, very much like human babies, in that way.

What Temperature?

Generally speaking, a puppy that is older than 4 weeks (around the youngest time that young puppies can be weaned and removed from their mother), a puppy should have a safe space at a temperature of around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once they are a little older, around a couple of months or so, they can usually handle a lower temperature of around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Generally speaking, if the temperature is comfortable or perhaps slightly too warm for you, it will be good for your dog as well.

 

How To Keep A Dog Crate Warm

So, we’ve talked about the ‘why’ your dog crate should be kept warm.
Now let’s move on to the ‘how’ to keep your pooch pampered and warm!

1. Keep The Crate Indoors

This is probably the most simple and easiest thing that you can do to keep your dog warm in your crate.

Crates are quite big, so it can be quite tempting to keep them in a cool and sheltered space outdoors and away from the house.

However, crates are big enough that they can also take a long time to heat up, making them cold and even uncomfortable places for your pet to sleep in.

Making sure that your crate is kept in warmer rooms inside your house is the most straightforward way of making sure that your dog has somewhere comfortable to rest and relax.

Try and avoid keeping the crate in the coldest rooms for this reason too.

2. Extra Bedding

This is another simple solution and one that everyone can understand. Wrapping up in tons of blankets and layers is one of the best ways for people to warm up, so why wouldn’t the same be the case for dogs?

Having a few extra smaller pillows or beds in the dog crate means that there is a more soft surface that can retain your dog’s body heat as they rest, which will help keep them warmer back.

Just remember to not overstuff your dog crate with bedding. You want to make sure that they can fit in, after all!

3. Warm Blanket Over The Crate

You’ll notice that many dog crates will often have many vents or openings over the top of them, similar to dog cages.

Not only does this allow plenty of fresh air to get to your dog, but it also means that hot air can leave the crate as it rises, preventing your crate from overheating your dog.

This is a great feature in hot summers and springs, where it does just this. But as the months get colder, this can also become an issue for your dog.

In the colder months, simply place a relatively thick blanket over the top of the crate, and leave the crate door open.

This will allow the warmer air to stay inside the crate, as well as still give them enough air inside the crate to not be too stuffy or humid (if you’re concerned about the thickness of the blanket, a thinner one will do the job just as well.

4. By The Fireplace/Heater

Who doesn’t love a good dog by the fireplace?

Provided that you have an appropriate fireguard in place for both kids and pets alike, a fireplace is a perfect location to place a dog crate so that it is nice and cozy for when your dog wants to rest.

If you don’t have a working fireplace in your home, an electric heater is just as effective (if a little less nostalgic) at warming up your dog crate.

Just make sure that it is kept at a safe distance from your crate so that you don’t accidentally burn the crate or your dog!

How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs To Sleep In?

Generally speaking, vets and other pet experts agree that 45 degrees Fahrenheit would be considered too cold for your dog.

While they can generally survive dips below this outdoors (especially when playing!), it is not healthy for them to be this cold at all times.

Final Thoughts

So, we hope that you now feel more equipped to keep your canine cozy and comfortable in their crate!