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You need to be aware that your dog’s health and well-being are affected by its interaction with its physical and social environments. Since you as the dog owner can alter or control your dog’s environment, this means that you have the duty and responsibility to meet the demands and needs for your dog. The Hypro Petcare research and development team has structured dog housing considerations into the following sections:
Location
Dog housing whether it be just bedding or a kennel, needs to be located away from any sources of excess noise or pollution that could stress or cause injury to your dog. The dog housing establishment site should have an adequate water supply available at all times.
Construction
When constructing dog housing outdoors, you should make sure your dog is protected from rain and wind, that there is adequate shade and the enclosure is partially enclosed to give a sheltered sleeping area that your dog has comfort.
Where kennels are constructed indoors, you must consider temperature, humidity and ventilation.
The construction surfaces of the dog house should be impervious, solid, and washable. The wall and floors should be sealed to facilitate cleaning and disinfecting. Solid partitions or dividers are used to help reduce noise.
Size
It is important for good health and well being that the dog housing area has sufficient space whether it is to feed, sleep, sit, stand, lie, stretch and move about in. Dog housing should always be designed so that the occupants can retreat to an area that gives them a sense of security.
Drainage
The design of the housing should be on a slight slope to enable any waste or water to run off so the housing surfaces remain dry clean. A collection drain should be provided and fitted.
Temperature
To keep your dog from stress it is essential to offer protection from extreme temperatures and conditions. Some breeds like the Siberian Husky or the Bulldog do not tolerate hot weather very well and are best to be kept away from such extreme temperatures in summer and from hard exercise in such weather. Also you need to take into consideration how fragile old and young animals are that they become more sensitive than others to changes in heat or cold temperatures.
Noise
You need to be able to control excessive barking as your dog must comply with noise regulations. There are several methods which may be helpful in reducing such noise:
- Position kennels so they are not facing one another.
- Use partitioning between kennels if you have more than one dog, this will limit the external stimulation for excitement.
- Keep dogs singly or in compatible pairs
- When finished feeding turn lights off
Lighting
If kept indoors your pet dog should be provided with lighting that is as close as possible to natural conditions. Exposure to sunlight is the preferred means of lighting. However, you should always provide a place of shade for your dog as excess heat can cause stress.
Ventilation
Dogs are uncomfortable if they cannot breathe easily. So it is important that your dog has adequate ventilation and that the housing area is free from dampness of any intolerable odours.
Bedding
The dog kennel should be provided with a raised sleeping are with sufficient bedding, appropriate to the breed that will keep the dog warm and dry. The dog must have comfort and the bed must be designed for easy cleaning.
Security
The living space for your dog must be securely lockable so your pet can not just easily escape. The use of a security barrier like a lockable gate is a good way for preventing the escape of animals or unauthorised entry.
Cleaning
The living space and housing areas must be kept clean so that the comfort of your dog can be maintained and disease controlled. Areas once soiled should be cleaned daily and disinfected once a week. Cleaning agents need to be chosen on the basis of their suitability, safety and effectiveness.
Pest Control
Controlling pest such as fleas, ticks, flies, lice, mosquitoes and rodents is a must to ensure that your dog is in good health free from disease. There are numerous chemicals which can effectively eradicate the problem of pests. However, because dogs and humans may be adversely affected by pest control agents, expert advice should be sought before pest control measures are carried out.
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