Your dog probably spends a lot of time tagging along with you from room to room in your house. But sometimes, he needs a quiet, enclosed space of his own to relax.
An indoor dog house can offer that comforting retreat to your pet.
Whether you are in search of an indoor dog house for crate training a puppy or simply want to provide a cozy indoor den for your dog, there is a wide selection of products to choose from.
This guide will introduce you to some of the top indoor dog houses on the market. But first, we will tell you more about the benefits of choosing the right dog house and some important buying considerations.
Our Top Pick
Before we get started with the informative guide, we wanted to tell you real quick which product is our absolute favorite: the Petsfit Insulated Wood Indoor Dog House.
With its stylish design, insulated comfort, and reasonable price, it offers you incredible value.
Benefits of Finding the Right Indoor Dog House
Why get your dog an indoor dog house? Here are the advantages:
Questions to Ask When Choosing an Indoor Dog House
When you are shopping for a dog house to use indoors, here are a few useful questions to ask yourself as you compare products:
Things to Consider When Choosing an Indoor Dog House
Once you answer the questions above, you will be ready to compare features between products. But what features should you pay attention to when you are shopping?
Size
The right size dog house should be large enough that your pup has room to rest comfortably but small enough to lock in body heat on cool days and satisfy your pet's denning instinct.
To find the right size, the first thing you do is measure your dog. Get these measurements:
Once you have these measurements:
If you will be keeping toys or other items inside with your dog, leave a little extra space for these things.
Material
There are a variety of materials used to manufacture indoor dog houses. But here's the thing—they each have pros and cons and are ideal for different purposes.
Wood: For durability and looks, it is hard to beat wood. A wood dog house can blend in beautifully with your décor and look like just another furnishing.
Plastic: This lightweight option is suitable for indoor-outdoor products but is not always a great choice for a serious chewer.
Fabric: Products with fabric, cushioned, or mesh sides are often collapsible, lightweight, and portable. This makes them good for home and travel use.
Ventilation
If your house heats up in the summer, be sure to get a dog house that includes extra ventilation. That said, ventilation is essential in any dog house, regardless of how cool your house is since your pet needs a breathable design. Windows and mesh can help maintain airflow.
Insulation
But wait—what if your house gets cold? Most dogs will probably be comfortable and healthy even if it gets quite cold indoors (if you are okay in your house, they are okay). But you can always go with an insulated design if you are concerned about it.
A raised floor can provide either ventilation or insulation, depending on its design. Materials like wood or cushioning also can help lock in warmth.
Ease of Assembly
Look for a product that offers quick and easy assembly with limited tools or no tools required. Many indoor dog houses feature a simple pop-up design and can be ready to use in minutes or even seconds.
Portability
If you want to move the indoor dog house from one room to another or bring it outdoors, look for features that increase its portability.
The pop-up design we just discussed is one such feature. Another is lightweight materials. A third is some type of carrying bag or handle.
Maintenance
You will need to clean fur and debris out of your indoor dog house regularly. Some products include removable panels that make interior access easy.
Appearance
Next, consider the appearance of the dog house. How a dog house looks is always important. Still, it is certainly even more important if you are going to be putting it in your living room than it would be if it were going to sit outdoors.
A product that clashes with your interior décor or color palette can detract from an entire room. But one that complements your interior design choices can enhance your space.
Security and Durability
If your dog scratches and chews, as discussed, you should make sure you are choosing a product that features durable materials. Pay attention to construction, and make sure that all components can stand up to plenty of wear and tear.
Some crates are fairly flimsy and can fall apart if you put a particularly destructive dog in them. So, choose a product that is going to be a fit for the temperament of your pet.
Also, if you intend to use the product for crate-training, ensure that all entrances can latch or zip. If your dog will come and go freely, this feature is not important.
Dual Uses
Finally, do you live in a small space? You might want to shop for an indoor dog crate that you can simultaneously use as another furnishing like an end table.
Top Indoor Dog Houses
Now you know what to look for in an indoor dog house. But what products are worth considering? Let’s take a look at some top picks now.
1. Petsfit Insulated Wood Indoor Dog House
Best Overall Indoor Dog House
The Petsfit Insulated Wood Indoor Dog House is our top overall choice for an indoor dog house. It is available in these different sizes:
It is made of wood with a light natural color and would be easy to paint if you wanted to make it a specific color.
The entire dog house can fold down into a flat shape for easy storage and portability. This makes it excellent for indoor and outdoor use and even for on the go. Setting it up is as simple as unfolding it, and putting it away is as easy as folding it again.
The wood material as well as the raised floor help to insulate the interior, keeping it comfortable if it gets cold inside your house.
The wide arch door is easy for your pet to get in and out of and adds to the elegance of the dog house's appearance.
What we like
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2. Unipaws Furniture Style Dog House
Best Wooden Indoor Dog House
If one of your top considerations when picking out an indoor dog crate is style, you will love the Unipaws Furniture Style Dog Crate End Table.
As the name implies, this product serves dual roles as a dog crate and an end table, making it an excellent choice for a small room where you need your furnishings to pull double duty.
The medium size measures 23 x 32 x 25.7 inches, and the large size measures 36.2 x 26.5 x 31.5 inches. It is available in two colors, white and espresso.
And the best part? It’s gorgeous. The fine bars provide only a minimal visual obstruction between you and your pet, while the scalloped frames for the doors give the crate a somewhat vintage appearance. It is a breathtaking furnishing both you and your fur buddy will adore.
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3. Pet Republic Medium Small Waterproof Dog House
Best Plastic Indoor Dog House
If you are looking for a plastic indoor dog house, you will want to check out the Pet Republic Medium Small Waterproof Dog House. This dog house measures 27 x 25.6 x 27 inches and features a tall entrance.
In terms of its design, it resembles a miniature suburban house, complete with “shingles” on the roof and a texture that resembles siding. The walls are white, and the top is blue.
We would recommend this product if you want something you can use both indoors and outdoors.
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4. ECOFLEX Dog House
Best Indoor Dog House for Large Dogs
Did you like the Unipaws Furniture Style Dog Crate End Table? A similar product that is ideal for large dogs is the ECOFLEX Dog Crate. Like that product, you can use this one as an end table at the same time it houses your pet.
Why do we love it? The material it is made from is a composite of wood and plastic called “ECOFLEX.” It is designed to maintain its shape over time without cracking or warping. The bars and latches are stainless steel for extra durability.
Available sizes include:
You can also choose from multiple colors, including white, grey, espresso, and russet.
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5. Petsfit Dog or Cat House with Pet Stairs
Best Indoor Dog House with Stairs
One interesting product for smaller dogs is the Petsfit Dog or Cat House with Pet Stairs. As you can see, this dog house features a unique design with a set of stairs that leads up to a balcony on top with a little railing.
While this feature was probably included mainly with cats in mind, some dogs may also like going up on the little balcony to survey their domain.
The dimensions listed for this product are a little confusing. But Petsfit has clarified in response to a customer query that the outer dimensions are 30 x 20 x 26 inches, and the inner dimensions are 18 x 18 x 14 inches.
Along with the arch-shaped door, there also is a square side window to provide extra ventilation. Plus, the base of the house is raised above the floor. So, it is both insulated and ventilated for comfort in a variety of climates.
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6. Running Pet Dog House Portable Folding Kennel
Best Soft Indoor Dog House
If you are in search of a cozy den for your dog, but not necessarily a lockable dog crate, you might like this soft product.
The Running Pet Dog House Portable Folding Kennel is available in three sizes:
There are also a few different color/pattern options available for this dog house. These include:
All of these designs are very cute so that you can find the perfect one for your home.
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7. Fit Choice Elevated Dog House
Best Elevated Indoor Dog House
A few of the products we have already recommended feature an elevated design. But our top pick in this category is the Fit Choice Elevated Dog House.
We particularly like this dog house because the bottom features mesh, so there is plenty of airflow through the floor. Not only that, but you also can roll up the flaps on the top to expose additional mesh for even more ventilation.
It is one of the best choices out there if it is hot where you live with those features. We should note that this product is also waterproof (although rain can blow in through the door) and portable.
So, you can set it up indoors or outdoors and move it back and forth between both environments rapidly.
The following sizes are available:
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8. Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen Exercise Kennel
Best Indoor Playpen
One more option to consider is the Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen Exercise Kennel.
It is available in two sizes:
It is a lightweight fabric product that you can set up indoors or outdoors. What we like about this kennel is its versatility. You can use it as a dog house or as a portable crate—it is totally up to you. You can decide whether to leave it fully enclosed or keep the door open or the roof off.
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Get the Best Indoor Dog House for Your Pet
Your dog bounding to your door to greet you each day is part of what makes your house feel like a home. A quality indoor dog house is part of what makes your house feel like home for your pet.
There is a dog house out there to suit every purpose and every style. Click on any of the links in this article to get the ideal indoor dog house or crate for your pet now.