DIY a dog house is something quite easy to do if you have the ability of searching in the right place. Online there are hundreds of sites that give you the possibility to download some high quality schematics in just mere seconds.
After reading this article you will be informed about a few tips on how to choose the correct guide.
The size of the dog house
Having the right measurements is highly important. If the kennel is too small or too big the dog might get frighten and not use it. Then you will have done all the work for nothing. Measure the dog before starting the construction. Make sure the he has a lot of space to move around in the house and not be cramped up in a corner.
Usually, three types of dog houses are being built:
- the medium sized kennel destined for the small dog breeds, like the Terrier, the Jack Russells and the Dachshunds.
- the large kennel built for the big dogs like the Golden Retrievers, German Shepperd and Dobermans.
- the duplex-style kennel, is recommended if you have more than a single dog. The duplex style kennel has a removable wall. You take down the wall if you want the dogs to snuggle and keep each other warm.
Some House Tips
Besides the size and the house design, you also need to consider other facts. First of all, raise the floor of the house a few inches over the ground. If there is a rain, the dog will not get wet and also the floor keeps cold in the summer time.
Don't use metal or plastic in building the house, especially if the climate in your town is warm. The dogs are very sensitive to the heat and the metal heats up fast.
Make the floor to be a small slope towards the opening. If any water gets in, it will drain outside. Provide the house with a protective roof in case of heavy rains and strong winds.
Plans for a Dog House
Building a Dog Kennel Quickly
If you decide to build a kennel for your dog, I want you to know that is not that hard to do. If you have some time and will, you will do it fast. It will take you just a few hours to build a quality one. In this article you will find some ideas on how to build your own dog kennel.
The size and the style of the kennel
Basically, there are 3 major types of kennels. The first is the medium one, for a single dog. It is recommended for the small breeds like the Jack Russells or the Dachshunds. Be aware of the fact that inside the kennels it can get quite hot. Make sure you have place for ventilation also.
The second type is the large house for a single dog. It is highly recommended for big dog breeds like the German Shepperd, the Doberman or the Golden Retriever. If you do it properly it will be perfect and cold in summer time and warm in winter.
Also, people who have more than one dog can build a dog for both of them. This duplex house has a separating wall that can be removed if you want the dogs to sit together. That is good if you have a pair or in winter times because the dogs can snuggle.
Extra Kennel Tips
Besides the style and the size, you need to consider other aspects. First of all, the majority of dog houses have a pointed roof. That is not that recommended because the pointed roof can attract wasps or hornets that can make the nest there. If you live in a wet area, build a roof that can drain easily. There are many schematics online and you will see how easy it is to do this.
Also, the kennel needs to be lifted from the ground at least 2 - 3 inches. This will keep everything cool in summer time and also, in rainy times, it will prevent the dog from getting wet. Put hinges on the roof also to make the cleaning process really easy.
In this way you will easily remove the dog hair.
And last, but not the least, make sure you have measured the dog before you have cut the length of the wood. Adjust the plants if the dog is bigger.
Buying a New Hamster- How Much Does it Cost to Take Care of a Hamster?
You intend to buy a hamster but feel overwhelmed because you do not know exactly how much it will cost? Here is an expanded list with products your hamster needs and their average costs.
Hamster Shopping List:
-Cage: between $10-$40 .
The price varies according to the type of cage you want: wired, aquarium or bin and on the size of the hamster. If you intend to buy a Syrian hamster, be careful what cage you buy because sometimes they might get stuck in Criter Trail and Sam/penplax tubes.
-Bedding :$2-$10.
It has various purposes: lines the floor, absorbs odor, toilet place and allows your hamster to hide in it.You have to choose from wide variety of bedding: wood pulp fiber, recycled newspaper, aspen shavings, Kaytee Soft Sorbent, Eco-Straw Pellets and the list goes on . At pet shops you can find even bedding smelling like apples or strawberries.
-Paper bedding: this is optional and the price is very low . I use it because my hamsters love it. All you have to do is to put small pieces of toilet paper(1-3 squares) in their cage and they take it and use it as a blanket. Sometimes they use to decorate their room(house).
-Food dish: $2-$9.
Is better if the food dish is not made of wood or plastic because the small hamsters will chew it till there is nothing left. I bought mine a ceramic bowl which they love. This is a better choice because is kind of heavy and they can not move it or spill it.if you want to cut down some costs, you can use some small ceramic bowl you have in your kitchen.
-Water bottle: $2-$5.
It's a must have for your hamster. The bottle is the best choice because your hamster can not spill it and make a mess in the cage.You have to be careful when you put this in the hamster's cage: it has to be high enough so he can not chew the plastic part.
-Hamster mix: $2.5-$5.
This is the food that you should give to your hamster on a regular basis. Be very careful to buy hamster/gerbil mix and not rabbit mix because it's toxic for your little hamster. The additional proteins and calories that the hamster needs should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables according to your hamster needs.
-Hamster toys: $1.2-$30 . This is the part I love most.
First, your hamster needs a wheel ($3-$5) so he can exercise.The hamster ball, all kinds of tunnels and chew toys can be bought later on. Instead of buying tunnels or other stuff that you may not afford at the beginning you can use a trick: don't throw away your toilet paper rolls. Use them to entertain your hamster! You can even make some holes in it to be more fun for your hamster.
-Hamster book $1.99-$20
The books are quite informative and of big help especially if you are at your first hamster. There are books written for 9-12 years old, so pretty much everyone has his learning book about hamsters. Check out these hamster facts for more information about hamsters.
Insider's tip: I recommend you to use a small bowl with sand. The hamster likes to have small sand baths and mine uses it as a toilet as well. I empty and wash it every morning. My hamsters first use it as a sand bathtub and then as a toilet.
After you have all this, the monthly cost are :
-bedding: I usually use one big pack of bedding (I change the bedding of the cage at least twice a week) - I use big packs and they usually are enough for a month: $10 per pack
-food: one or to packs - $5-$10
It is normal that the initial cost is quite high, but after you bought all the products your hamster needs, the monthly cost are quite low.