Choosing a Pet Kennel

There are a surprising number of variables associated with buying a pet kennel. The first seems to be defining exactly what a pet kennel actually IS. For some, a pet kennel is an outdoor chain-link “dog-run” style enclosure. For others, it seems to refer to a travel sized crate for transporting your pet from place to place. The fact of the matter is that even among manufacturers, the terminology is not uniform. This means it is very important to keep in mind what you are actually looking for when shopping for a pet kennel. For the sake of discussion today, the term pet kennel will refer to an outdoor enclosure. Additional types of crates and enclosures will be addressed later. If you are buying a pet kennel for a puppy or kitten, you will want to remember that your pet will grow. To avoid having to buy multiple pet kennels as your animal ages, determine a reasonable estimate of the full grown size of your pet, and buy the pet kennel based on those measurements. While it may seem like overkill to house your puppy in a huge enclosure, the savings will eventually outweigh the initial expense.
Another important reason for buying an appropriately large pet kennel: Pets will use the edges of their space as their “bathroom”. By buying an undersized kennel, you run the risk of boxing your pet into its own waste. This waste can be tracked into areas where the animal eats or sleeps, spreading bacteria which can be very harmful to your pet. If there is ever a question regarding the size of your pet kennel, just remember: bigger is always better.
Although knowing when and how to pet kennel is very important, it is also important to know when NOT to use your pet kennel. A pet kennel is not an excuse or replacement for a shoddy or well kept up fence, nor is a pet kennel an acceptable environment for a pet to spend extended amounts of time. A good rule of thumb is this: keep your pet in its pet kennel for about as long as you would want your child to watch television. You’ll rarely go wrong.
One of the best uses of your pet kennel is to acclimate your dog to changing climates. Frequently, primarily indoor pets are not exposed to changing weather, and their bodies are therefore unprepared for the harsh cold of winter or the heat of summer. If you do not properly acclimate your dog using a pet kennel or well fenced yard, arthritis, or other more serious conditions can develop as a result of sudden exposure. Try to put your dog in its pet kennel for about a half hour each day (in addition to outdoor activity) during the changing seasons (fall and spring). Using your pet kennel this way will help “season” your pet, and keep its body in correct rhythm.
Just remember to use your pet kennel in the right ways at the right times, and your pet will thank you.