A dog’s primary living arrangement is an important consideration that you must make before becoming a full-fledged pet owner. Depending on your dog’s breed, lifestyle, and home environment, the choice of the best kennel can vary greatly — and you wouldn’t want them to spend time in a place that’s unsuitable for them.
Some dogs may thrive in one of these two environments while feeling suffocated in the other. There’s no single dog kennel type that is best —there are pros and cons for each.
If you are currently deciding which of these kennel types are best for your pet, you’re in the right place. This guide will help you choose the best option to suit your furry friend the best.
Let’s jump right into it!
Indoor Dog Crates / Kennels
Indoor dog kennels or crates are designed to provide a space for your housepets inside the house.
These designated crates can range from small to large to accommodate dogs of varying breed sizes. They are also made from plastic or metal materials.
They often feature secure latching doors to keep pets safe inside, as well as smooth and gapped walls for ventilation and breathability. These crates are also often equipped with trays for easy cleaning, a water dispensing cup, and ample surface area to put a dog bed and food trays.
These are the pros and cons of choosing one for your household.
Pros
- Climate Control
One great thing about indoor kennels is their ability to keep your dog safe from harsh weather conditions.
Depending on your geographical location, you could be facing scorching heat, heavy rainfall, or freezing cold conditions a mere step outside your household—all of which can be detrimental to your dog’s health and comfort levels.
Dogs, when exposed to extreme conditions, are extremely prone to developing temperature-related health issues like heat stroke and hypothermia. When kept outside under extreme conditions, you could inadvertently place them in danger, and you may only notice it once it’s too late.
One way to mitigate this risk is by placing them in an indoor dog kennel. When indoors, your dog won’t be directly impacted by extreme swings in temperatures. This is especially useful for small or temperature-sensitive dog breeds like Chihuahuas.
Furthermore, indoor kennels / crates can also be placed anywhere in the home. This means you can place it near a temperature-regulating appliance thus making your dog feel more comfortable as you choose the right conditions for him or her indoors.
- Security
Another perk of indoor dog kennels is the increased security and peace of mind they provide to both the pet and pet owner.
While outdoor kennels are built with heavy-duty materials and reinforced metals, the mere fact that an indoor dog kennel is placed, well, indoors, means that there’s very little risk of your dog managing to escape beyond the confines of your home.
Many dogs are naturally curious animals, and animals that have lived in houses may not be aware of the risk of wandering out on the streets and getting lost. A crate can provide an extra barrier of reinforcement to prevent these escapes, granting you and your dog peace of mind knowing that they’re safe in their designated area.
Furthermore, even if your dog is placed outdoors in a kennel, they can still be threatened by local wildlife and predators. Depending upon where you live mosquitoes can infect them, and for those in the US racoons may steal their dog food – bears and wolves have even been known to paw at them from outside the grilles! An indoor dog kennel ensures that they won’t be bothered by these animals and instead be able to sleep more comfortably.
- Convenience and Cleanliness
Indoor kennels also come with the added perk of being easy to clean and maintain. Since these enclosures have minimal exposure to outdoor elements like sun, rain, and pollen, it’ll take much longer for these kennels to dirty up.
Moreover, the fact that these kennels are only placed indoors means that there’s a respectable level of durability that makes them great for constant use.
Furthermore, indoor kennels are generally more compact in their design. Many of them are modular and multifunctional too, with some even being open at the top. This makes them convenient for disassembling and cleaning up after your pet.
Cons
- Limited space: Indoor crates are generally smaller than outdoor kennels. This can be restrictive to medium and large breeds, especially if the household doesn’t have a lot of space to begin with.
- Boredom: Dogs may feel restless and anxious inside an indoor kennel. This is especially true if they have no view of a stimulating environment like a garden or their people.
- Bad for active breeds: Energetic dog breeds like Border Collies despise living in small indoor enclosures. They’ll act out and feel depressed if they’re in a cage for too long.
Outdoor Dog Kennels
Outdoor dog kennels are designated spaces for your furry friend meant to be placed outdoors. They are made from more durable materials like heavy-duty mesh and steel. This is because outdoor conditions tend to face more variable conditions like high heat and rainfall that can gradually chip away the durability of the kennel.
These kennels are often built with sun protection to provide shade and shelter for dogs outside. They’re also often than not bigger than indoor kennels to provide the dog more space to move around – and should usually have a run or enclosure attached so dogs can stretch and urinate or defecate outside their bed. Just like an indoor dog kennel, outdoor kennels are also built with secure latches to keep dogs from escaping and predators from entering the designated pet space.
If the weather, climate, and temperature of your place are fair, then it’s more than possible and even ideal to house dogs in these outdoor dog kennels. That said, there are some moments where outdoor dog kennels are less favourable than indoor kennels. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
Pros
- Fresh Air and Visual Stimulation
Outdoor dog kennels allow your pets to breathe in fresh air and perceive the natural environment around them. An outdoor kennel also gives them access to sunshine, which can all play to improve their health and boost their mood.
With this exposure to the outdoors, dogs will be less likely to engage in destructive behaviours that may arise from being cooped up indoors for too long. Boredom is less likely to occur, as the stimulation outside can keep their minds engaged and sharp.
- Keeps Your Home Clean
Outdoor kennels are great for keeping the inside of your home hygienic and pleasant-smelling.
Putting dogs indoors can leave the door open to muddy paws, stray fur, sloppy dog food leftovers, and pet waste—which can increase clean-up time and generally just lead to a dirty environment.
With an outdoor kennel like Somerzby’s dog kennels here, you can keep your dog and their business outdoors—simplifying the cleanup process. This can also make your home smell better, making it more welcoming for guests.
- Houses Big Dog Breeds
It’s normal for prospective dog owners to want dogs but not have enough indoor space to house them. The best solution for that is to house them outdoors in an outdoor dog kennel.
An outdoor dog kennel can be quite large, making it suitable for big dogs to stretch, roam around and even play in.
Breeds like German Shepherds and Labradors are generally better off in outdoor dog kennels for this very reason—as indoor kennels are more likely to make them feel irritated.
Cons
- Security concerns: While this is a low-risk scenario, outdoor kennels, if left unopened or improperly locked, can lead to your dogs getting free and potentially wandering away far from home.
- Weather exposure: Outdoor kennels can leave dogs vulnerable to extreme swings in weather and temperature like heat, rain, or cold. Be sure to put them in a shaded area and keep them indoors in case the weather gets too extreme.
- Potential for pests: Bugs,
fleas , ticks, and mosquitoes can all infiltrate the dog kennel and harm your pet’s health and comfort and health.
Which Dog Kennel is Best For You?
Ultimately, the best kennel depends on your dog’s needs and lifestyle. Of course, every dog’s needs are different, and it’s important to recognise that before making any hasty generalisations.
Regardless, we hope this breakdown will help you narrow down the best kennel for your furry friend. We wish you the best in choosing your pet’s new home!
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