We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 6 Best Heated Dog Houses By Andrew Whalen Andrew Whalen Andrew is a senior editor for The Spruce Pets. He has tested hundreds of pet products, many with the help of his cats Church (pictured) and Wally (shy). His writing has appeared on Popular Science, Inverse, Newsweek, and Vice. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process and Camryn Rabideau Updated on 07/22/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict What to Look For FAQs Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets / Lecia Landis The best heated dog house can help make winter weather more comfortable for your pet, but it should never be your dog’s primary home during cold months. Most dogs are not capable of surviving outdoors in winter conditions and shouldn't be left outside during the winter months. Except for very specific and well-insulated breeds, if you're cold, they're cold. So, make sure your dog spends plenty of time indoors. But if your dog loves playing in the snow or spends time in a sheltered space—like a garage—that could use a little extra warmth, a heated dog house may be a great supplemental option. Our favorite heated dog house is the Dog Palace Insulated Dog House, which features robust, eco-friendly insulation, comprehensive heating technology, and a comfortable design. We also found space heaters and heated mats specifically designed for dogs, as well as heating accessories that pair well with existing dog houses. Top Picks Best Overall: Dog Palace Insulated Dog House at Chewy $369 Jump to Review Best for Small Dogs: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty House at Amazon $83 Jump to Review Best for Large Dogs: Dog Palace Insulated Dog House at Chewy $600 Jump to Review Best Outdoor Heated Pad: K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Pet Bed at Amazon $94 Jump to Review Best Heating Pad for Igloo-Style Dog Houses: K&H Pet Products Lectro Igloo-Style Heated Pad at Amazon $61 Jump to Review Best Dog House Heater: Akoma Hound Dog House Heater at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Dog Palace Insulated Dog House Credit: Walmart $369 at Chewy $384 at Wayfair $280 at Petco What We Like Durable and spacious Well insulated Remote-controlled thermostat Built-in drainage What We Don't Like Distinctive barn house design won't appeal to all tastes Dog Palace is a trusted purveyor of high-end, well-insulated, and safety-conscious dog houses for pups of all sizes and behavioral profiles. The Insulated Dog House is its baseline model, and will be a perfect fit for most dog owners; at a little over $300, it is an investment but not prohibitive, and certainly not out of line with the quality of the product. Built from thick plastic and fortified with serious, industrial-grade insulation (2 to 4 inches thick), there’s little risk of your dog getting chilly even without the built-in central heater. This can be controlled by remote, giving you precise control over the climate inside your canine’s palace. The square footage inside, the size of the entranceway, and the thickness of the floor lend themselves to dogs sized petite to large (shoulder height of 26.5 inches or less) The door can be used with or without a protective flap which is easy for dogs to move through comfortably and provides additional protection against both the elements and predators. If it sounds like a dauntingly big space to clean and generally maintain, think again. The Dog Palace house has a clever raised, slanted floor design which is designed to make drainage easy and comprehensive. It’s easy to access all corners of the house for quick cleaning, too. With all factors considered, this basic Dog Palace model is the most worthwhile investment on the market if you are serious about keeping your pup (or small pups) protected against frigid weather conditions and happy outdoors year-round. Dimensions: 47.5 x 31.5 x 38.5 inches | Weight: 76 pounds | Materials: Plastic | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes Best for Small Dogs K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty House Credit: Amazon $83 at Amazon $93 at Chewy $96 $85 at Walmart What We Like Good value Easy to assemble and clean Removable door flaps What We Don't Like Not waterproof To get a well-made and appropriately sized house for puppies and small-breed dogs, it's sometimes necessary to look into product design for other small animals—namely, cats. The Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty House from trusted pet brand K&H is spacious but modest at 21.5 x 26.5 x 15.5 inches, and perfect for outdoor use thanks to its highly weather-resistant polyester and well-insulated design. The heated pad covers half of the house’s floor, meaning your growing canine can get on and off easily if they're overheated. Depending on the weather or your dog’s specific behavioral profile, you can leave flaps on or off the entrance to the house. If you are concerned about electric safety with the house out in the elements, the 20-watt heated bed has been tested by MET labs and functions above safety standards in both the United States and Canada—that is, well-protected from potential water damage or other hazards. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that in very extreme conditions, you’ll want to keep the house in a covered area like a garage or porch because the exterior of the house is not fully waterproof. Dimensions: 21.5 x 26.5 x 15.5 inches | Weight: 6.9 pounds | Materials: Polyester | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes Best for Large Dogs Dog Palace Insulated Dog House Credit: Tractor Supply Co. $600 at Chewy $700 at Wayfair $600 at Tractor Supply Co. What We Like Big enough for large breeds or multiple dogs Remote-controlled heating unit Well-insulated 10-year warranty What We Don't Like Expensive Made of plastic with high-grade, recycled insulation lining its walls, the larger version of our favorite overall heated dog house from Dog Palace keeps the chill and snow out handily. The built-in heater assures that you can get the climate in the house however your oversize pup prefers it; owners can adjust the temperature with a remote-controlled digital thermostat. There are plenty of other features that help this Dog Palace model earn its price tag. It is incredibly spacious, with a 4-foot diameter and height. While you can go bigger and sturdier (and pricier) with houses fit for multiple dogs, this model may do you just fine as a shared hub for two or three smaller-sized canines. It is also easy to clean and sanitary, with a raised floor with drainage built in. If you are looking for a dog house splurge, the Dog Palace CRB Premium house is certainly an option that is unlikely to disappoint, and it comes with a 10-year warranty to assure longevity. Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 46 inches | Weight: 96 pounds | Materials: Plastic | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes Best Outdoor Heated Pad K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Pet Bed Credit: Amazon $94 at Amazon What We Like Multiple sizes available Waterproof cover Comfortable orthopedic foam What We Don't Like Not for dogs who chew Fully waterproof and powered by a steel-wrapped power cord, K&H’s outdoor heated pad for canines has been well-tested and dubbed safe from the elements by the electronics inspections experts at MET Labs and adheres to safety standards in the United States and Canada. Luckily, it is also extremely comfortable for pups, with a soft foam base and a fleece cover (totally safe for your washing machine, so don’t worry about clean-up). The pad has proven to be perfect for use in sheds, garages, barns, and elsewhere. The electrical imprint for a bed this size isn’t bad either: its 25 x 36-inch surface area is heated by just 60 watts of power. Owners can use a thermostat to exactly control the amount of heat their lounging pup(s) is/are receiving to prevent overheating, since the bed automatically warms to your dog’s body temperature. Dimensions: 25 x 36 x 1.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Materials: Orthopedic foam and PVC | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes Best Heating Pad for Igloo-Style Dog Houses K&H Pet Products Lectro Igloo-Style Heated Pad Credit: Tractor Supply Co. $61 at Amazon $140 at Tractor Supply Co. $101 at Walmart What We Like Fits round or igloo-style dog houses Half-circle shape allows dogs to lay on or off heat Includes a machine-washable cover What We Don't Like Heating pad only This pad from K&H is the perfect heating solution for an igloo-style dog house. It is easy to fit through the opening of any enclosure and available in three different sizes to fit whatever size of igloo you have at home. The pad takes up half the size of the igloo with its half-round shape, giving your pup the choice to be on or off it, You should be able to place the Igloo-Style Heated Pad at most desired locations in your house thanks to its 66-inch power cord. Don’t worry about overheating or energy conservation: The pad heats only when your pup is on it. Unlike many pads on the market, the K&H Lectro is safe for both indoor and outdoor use. Also, its automated on-and-off feature saves you time manually tweaking the temperature and timer. Dimensions: 17.5 x 30 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Materials: ABS plastic and fleece | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes Best Dog House Heater Akoma Hound Dog House Heater Credit: Amazon View on Amazon View on Walmart What We Like Wide temperature range Suitable for large spaces Easy to install Optional Bluetooth control What We Don't Like Noise may deter some dogs In many ways, the Akoma Hound Dog House Heater is the ultimate all-purpose heating solution for indoor dog houses. It adjusts to a wide range of temperatures—between 30 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit—and can heat dog houses of up to 75 cubic feet, which means it will serve almost any size of puppy domicile you maintain in your house. To prevent overheating, the heater only runs when needed, and the temperature and other elements can be controlled by smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth. To keep your dog(s) safe, the power cord is wrapped in a stainless steel spring and chewproof. If you are using the heater in an igloo-style dog house, it can be mounted on a sturdy docking bracket to prevent being knocked over or other accidents. The heater incorporates a heat shield so that your dog can touch the lower half without any danger. If all of the customizability and the safety precautions aren’t enough to recommend the Akoma heater, it is also designed to be extremely resilient, thanks to a 300W heating element. Dimensions: 10 x 4.5 x 10 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Materials: Plastic | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes Final Verdict The Dog Palace Insulated Dog House is the ultimate high-quality, extremely safe, spacious, and eco-friendly heated dog home. The combination of thick insulation and thermostat-controlled heating makes for a variety of approaches to temperature control. It also has a flap door that keeps out the elements, but is designed for smooth entry and exit. The home is also big enough to comfortably house medium and large dogs or even multiple pups. If you're looking for a safe and weather-resistant heating pad to temporarily place outdoors or within an existing dog house, we also recommend the exceptionally well-made and affordable K&H Outdoor Heated Dog Pad. What to Look for in a Heated Dog House Safety There are a variety of ways that different types and sizes of houses on the market handle heating, but whatever else is true about them, safety is of preeminent importance. In many cases, the products on this list are certified as having been tested by regulatory compliance experts at MET Labs. They are generally considered safe in both the United States and Canada. Look out for these certifications, but also indications that the power supply and wires to the heating device in the house are well-protected against both weather and standard dog teething, chewing, and roughhousing. Interior Size As with any dog home, make sure you check the cubic footage of the interior to be sure there is plenty of room for your pup (or pups) inside. Many dog house designs come in multiple sizes, or include recommendations of the types of dogs that they are best for. If you are hoping to pair a separately purchased heater with a dog house, it is also important that the heater can provide coverage to the full space, or—more likely—that the device will not overheat the space. Luckily, most heaters have automatic switch-offs that prevents this from happening, including pads that match dogs’ body temperature or only activate when they are laying on it. Heating Pad Size A comfy pad is probably the most common way to heat a dog house. It also allows owners to easily use those houses year-round, moving the pad in as needed, or leaving it in there without power as a lounging area or bed for your pup. Even in the coldest weather, though, it is important that your favorite canine has somewhere to move within the house if the pad starts to feel too hot or becomes uncomfortable for them. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure that your dog house’s heating pad does not cover the entirety of its floor space. Insulation Many of the highest-quality heated dog houses include not only powered heating mechanisms but are constructed using a layer of heavy-duty insulation. Before investing in a dog house, make sure that the design of the dog house does not merely rely on the power of electric heat, but that it is built to keep cold out and keep heat in. Our top pick, the Dog Palace Insulated Dog House, integrates a thick layer of recyclable insulation, as well as a built-in central heater. The effective insulation treatment means there is often less need to use the heater; this means wasting less energy and reducing the likelihood of overheating. FAQ Can a dog stay in a dog house in winter? No, it is very important to remember that a dog’s real home during the winter is inside the home. A heated house is best as a secondary dog residence or hang-out to be placed in semi-sheltered places like garages, screen porches, sheds, and more. When the house is fully outside—not recommended for most houses that use electric heating—it should only be viewed as a very temporary abode or crash pad. Are heated dog houses safe? They are, provided that the electrical aspects involved with the heating situation are sufficiently covered, and that the house is placed in an appropriate environment. It is also crucial to avoid any situation where your dog might feel overheated. Look for houses that offer temperature control through a thermostat or heating pads (not blankets) with built-in body heat monitoring. Also, make sure there’s adequate room in the dog house for your pup to move away from the heat source if they become uncomfortable, and exit the house if necessary. What is a safe temperature for a heated dog house? Dogs' ideal temperature varies greatly based on their size, age, and hair length. However, between 50 and 85 degrees has been shown to be safe for dog housing. In the 80s, however, you move toward risk of overheating, especially in smaller, contained spaces. Why Trust The Spruce Pets? Andrew Whalen is a writer for The Spruce Pets and compiled this list by taking into account reviews from dog owners and the analysis of veterinarians. To provide a varied list that took into account the needs of different types of dogs, The Spruce Pets’ team considered each product’s safety features, durability, and size, among other factors. Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Jordan M, Bauer AE, Stella JL, Croney Candace. Temperature Requirements for Dogs. Center for Animal Welfare Science.