Description
- Durable Protection: This Dog house’s all plastic construction and rear air ventilations system prevents fleas and provides long lasting protection; Also useful for outdoor cats and strays; For pets up to 15 pounds
- All Weather Outdoor Dog House: This extended roof guard rim and raised interior floor helps keep pets dry; Pet home assembles with quick snap latches, no tools necessary; 265 X 18 X 165 inches
- Kennels and Houses: Crate and kennel training is vital for your dog safety; We provide traditional travel carriers, wire training and exercise kennels, play pens, barn style dog houses and more
- Aspen Pet: We provides every day essentials for pet parents, dogs, and cats; From leash cable tie outs, litter box accessories, pet toys, gravity water/food bowls, pet beds, dog shelters, carriers and more
- Just For Pets: Petmate makes a variety of pet products for dogs, cats, birds, and other furry friends; Check out our brands such as Aspen Pet, Arm and Hammer, Boada, Chuck it, and more
KK –
I bought this Petbarn as a house for an outdoor feral cat (neutered). It became a weekend project to insulate it and make it waterproof. In addition to sealing the rear vent and closure tabs as other purchasers have done, I made the opening smaller. The main reason for the water issues that other people have mentioned is because the doorway is too large and too low, and rain/snow will just pour inside if this house is kept out in the elements. If you are going to keep it in a barn or garage, I would say just insulate the interior (because it is still an icebox) and leave the large opening. However, cats only need a 6 inch diameter opening, which also helps keep out unwanted larger animals like raccoons and foxes.
I used mostly materials I had in my home already. I started with a bamboo garden stake that turned out to be the perfect diameter for the rear air vents. I cut two small pieces to the correct length and inserted them as backer rods, and then used DAP 230 Dynaflex sealant on the vents, inside and out. To make the front opening smaller, I glued the front panel of an old litter box with Loctite marine epoxy and sealed the edges with Dynaflex. I used a hairdryer to soften the plastic and cut it into shape with some snips.
For insulation, the easiest thing to use would have been 1 inch rigid foam insulation with foil backing. However, since it comes in 8 foot sheets, I couldn’t fit one of these into my car. Instead I bought a roll of Reflectix insulation at HD and used it with some leftover Styrofoam I had at home. I cut sheets of both materials for the floor, ceiling and walls, and wrapped silver aluminum foil tape around the edges to seal them together. Reflectix is great stuff: non-toxic, adds extra warmth, prevents kitty claws from damaging the Styrofoam and is easy to wipe down if the cat sprays inside. So I created a box within a box with the six panels. Finally, I added some straw bedding, also purchased at HD for 10 bucks (one bale), snapped the lid in place and sealed the closure tabs with Gorilla tape.
The interior dimensions with the insulated panels in place are approximately 18 in. L x 11.5 in. W x 11.5 in. H. The new opening is about 6 in. H x 7.5 in. W. Perfect for one large cat to snuggle inside during winter. My cat Priscilla gave it a test run before I put the lid in place. I have to say that even with the extra work and money to make this thing weatherproof, it was a fun project and the final result is still way more affordable than the Kitty Tube I bought previously. The Petbarn is also sturdy plastic and weighs 10-12 lbs, so if you keep it outside up near a wall, like I do, it’s heavy enough not to blow away. I have a townhome with no front porch, so I have the Petbarn tucked up against the house behind my azaleas. The first night I had it out Thor was already in it!
Update!!! It’s 5 years later and my feral cats still love this Petmate shelter. The cat I originally bought it for died, but I’ve had others over the years that have used it. Other than having to replace the interior insulation panels from time to time, which have been clawed and sprayed by the occasional Tom discovering it, it has held up to the elements. I have other cat shelters that I have bought (Kitty Tube, Feral Villa, Ark Workshop cedar houses) and made (Rubbermaid storage bins) and all have their pros and cons, but this one has remained a cat favorite. I must emphasize though, as I said 5 years ago, if you are keeping it out in the elements you not only need to seal the closure tabs and rear vent with Gorilla tape but you HAVE to make the entrance smaller to keep out water. I wish this company would make a cat version of this house, with a smaller 6-inch diameter round entrance that was higher up. If they made cat shelters this company would make a fortune because there are tons of people out there who want affordable, durable and weatherproof options for their outdoor cats!!!
BrendaAmazon Customer –
Están muy bien la casitas, creo que solo el tamaño que las pedí esperaba que estuvieran un poco más grandes.. igual están muy bien y los perros están agusto 🙂
Rosie Allen –
This is the second of these that my wife purchased. She was looking for something for the stray cats to stay in during the colder season. She wanted something sturdy, but not overpriced. This item was perfect. Arrived very quickly too.
KK –
Bought in the “used, like new” form, supposedly had slight damage to the bottom. Was going to use it inside anyway for a puppy, so that didn’t matter. I couldn’t find anything except a tiny scratch inside the bottom. We did have to use zip ties to secure the top to bottom, but that was no issue. Puppy loves it. She can take a nap in peace there.
Frances G. Adams –
The house is built of a sturdy plastic material, easy to assemble. The top part does not lock on to the bottom (that is the defect described in many reviews), but one can easy drill additional holes using existing holes (used for tying parts during shipping) as pilots; then, the top and bottom could be easily fastened with two or four zip ties. The room can accommodate two average size cats (in my case the two feral cats were walking together – siblings?) even with thermal insulation and electric heating pad.
Adrianna Attwood –
I bought three of these for my feral cats. I put them on my covered patio with bedding and a heating pad in each in the winter and they love them. The shape and size gives them plenty of room while blocking out winds and rains. They are very strong so the cats even sit on top of them.
Dan Rozanski –
I can leave my small dog outside in cold weather and the house keeps them at a good temperature. Only thing is it does. It snap completely. Everyone talking about how it does not snap properly is all telling the truth. If it snapped and had a more secure hold I would probably give it 5stars
DP –
I bought this for my bunny! Great quality and size ! Price is great for the quality! Thabks!
Excelente compra en relación con el precio. –
Material resistente y acabados hermosos.
Hernan C. –
We were searching for a solution for our cats when inclement weather comes in. This is the perfect solution and hideout for windy, rainy and even snowy days where our cats are more prone searching for shelter…
The product also arrived a few days in advance. Thank you Amazon!
Must Love Dogs –
I was looking for sturdy outdoor cat houses for some almost feral cats that migrated over from the dairy next door.
I have three heated cat houses by K&H and while these are great, I had to keep them in the garage to plug them in. At first it was great, but wildlife decided to move in and made the garage smell like possum.
So wanting to keep my garage clean and stink free, I wanted to find a sturdy cat house solution that would hold up outside in the wind, rain and coming snows.
I found these dog houses on Amazon and being familiar and comfortable with the brand, I read some reviews.
I felt confident enough to purchase three houses for the three mooches that moved in.
I took some reviewers suggestions and used them on mine.
I wanted to make them more insulated but still leave an escape hatch, so instead of retro fitting insulation and the like, I used one reviewers idea of placing the top opening facing the front and the bottom opening facing the back.
The cats can climb into them easily and they have an escape hatch in the back.
I sprinkled a small amount of cedar shavings to help keep pests away and then added a lot of fresh straw as an insulated bedding.
I added wood boards that I waterproofed on top of the houses. I set the houses 6 inches away from the house to the cats can use the back as an escape route.
The boards are set against the wall the house to keep snow and water from falling down the back of the houses to help keep the dry.
I also set the houses on some rubber pig pans to get them off the ground to help keep them dry.
Where they snap together, I placed waterproof tape over the open space at the suggestion of one reviewer.
As for the houses themselves, they are sturdy and look good. I had no problems with assembly and they snapped together well.
So far the cats are very happy with their new homes and they can get in and out of them with ease.
Excelente compra en relación con el precio. –
Dog house fits a blue heeler perfect!
Kayla K –
Excelente precio por el producto.
Material resistente y tamaño conforme a lo especificado.
Llegó en tiempo.