Best Small Indoor Dog House: Reviewed and Ranked

Written by Austin S.
Updated: December 20, 2022
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Best forProduct
Best OverallPetsfit Folding Indoor Dog House
Best for Water ResistancePlastic Dog House
Best for Comfort and PortabilityBEST PET SUPPLIES Home Sweet Home Plush Covered Cat & Dog Bed
Best Wooden, Multi-Functionalunipaws Furniture Style Dog Crate End Table with Cushion

Do you want to purchase the best small indoor dog house for your dog? If yes, we are here to lend a helping hand. Getting a comfy house for your dog is crucial. An exclusive room for your pet improves its standard of living by providing a comfortable place where it can rest and stretch. That being said, choosing the right product can be challenging due to the wide variety of products in the market.

Every brand promises to offer the best dog house. Consequently, picking the one that best suits your needs may be difficult. If you are not sure of the type of brand of product that is ideal for you, relying on the advice of experts is the way to go. This is where we come in! You have to be focused on getting something that has every feature to maintain the health and wellness of your dog.

Your dog’s size plays a vital role in choosing the right product. Dog houses come in different sizes, ranging from small, medium to large, and extra-large. It is advisable to have a long-term approach when picking a pet house. If your dog has the potential to grow bigger, go for something big enough to accommodate their growth. 

In this article, we have a well-curated list of the best small indoor dog houses. To ensure that we recommend high-quality products, we took important factors such as affordability and durability into account.

  1. Petsfit Folding Indoor Dog House
    • Made from high-quality wood
    • Sturdy, durable, and rot-resistant
    • Features an attractive design
    • Removable floor and hinged roof makes cleaning easy
    Check Amazon
  2. Plastic Dog House
    • High-quality and water-resistant
    • Made from premium PP materials
    • Dual vents ensure proper circulation of fresh air
    • Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use
    Check Amazon
  3. BEST PET SUPPLIES Home Sweet Home Plush Covered Cat & Dog Bed
    • Padded with soft fabrics
    • Comes in cute designs and stylish color schemes
    • Strong and durable
    • Machine washable
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. unipaws Furniture Style Dog Crate End Table with Cushion
    • Can also serve as a piece of furniture
    • Designed and constructed with durability and longevity in mind
    • Waterproof pet bed
    • Made of high-quality, strong wood and wire
    Check Amazon

The Top Picks for the Best Indoor Dog House: Ranked and Rated

#1 Overall Best: Petsfit Insulated Wood Dog House

Petsfit insulated wood pet house is the overall best dog house. It stands out from others because it is made of high-quality wood, which ensures durability and longevity. If you are looking for an indoor dog house that is sturdy, durable, and rot-resistant, search no further than this Petsfit product. It is well-designed and constructed with solid pine wood. This product is stylish, featuring an attractive design, and coated with environmentally-friendly varnish. In addition to providing a comfy space for your dog, it will naturally blend with your interior décor. 

This indoor dog house has a removable floor and hinged roof, which makes proper cleaning easy. There are good ventilation designs to improve the circulation of air. The elevated floor is ventilated to further enhance airflow. Installation is simple; it comes in a foldable design that makes it easy to transport and assemble. There is no need for tools or special skills for setup — it can easily be assembled within a few minutes. It’s available in two sizes: Small (30”L×21”W×24.5”H) and Medium (35.5″ x 23.5″ x 27″).

Reviews for this product were overwhelmingly positive, though there were several “one-off” complaints, including one from a woodworker who said that this wood needed to be varnished to prevent splintering, one from someone who reported that “it leaks,” and another who said that it wasn’t chew-proof.

Pros and Cons of the Petsfit Insulated Wood Dog House

ProsCons
This 31”L x 21”W x 24.5”H indoor dog house is made of sturdy, durable, rot-resistant, high-quality solid pine wood.It may require additional varnish to prevent splintering.
It’s stylish, attractive, and coated with environmentally-friendly varnish.It leaks.
This dog house features a removable floor and hinged roof for easy cleaning.It’s not chewproof.
It’s well ventilated.
It’s easy to assemble, and no tools or special skills are required.
Overall Best
Petsfit Folding Indoor Dog House
  • Made from high-quality wood
  • Sturdy, durable, and rot-resistant
  • Features an attractive design
  • Removable floor and hinged roof makes cleaning easy
Check Amazon

2. Best for Water Resistance: Pet Republic Waterproof Dog House

If you are looking for a high-quality, water-resistant pet house, we recommend the Pet Republic Waterproof Dog House. It’s made of premium polypropene plastic (PP) materials for increased longevity and durability. In addition to the high-quality material, it comes in two sizes: Medium (27.17” x 25.6” x 27.16”) and Large (30.7″ x 34″ x 32.2″). There are dual vents to ensure proper circulation of fresh air to keep your dog cool in the summer. It has an elevated floor design, which helps to prevent water from flowing into the dog house. 

This attractive dog house has white sides, a blue roof, and a black base. This product is designed and equipped to provide a safe, strong, and warm shelter for your dogs. It is strong and can withstand harsh environmental conditions. Consequently, it is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. The overall structure is maintained using buckles and screws. You can easily assemble it using the accessories.

A couple of reviewers found it difficult to assemble.

Pros and Cons of the Pet Republic Waterproof Dog House

ProsCons
This indoor/outdoor dog house is made of durable premium polypropene plastic (PP) materials.A couple of reviewers said that it was difficult to assemble.
It’s available in two sizes: Medium (27.17” x 25.6” x 27.16”) and Large (30.7″ x 34″ x 32.2″).
It features an elevated floor design to prevent water from flowing into the dog house (when used outdoors) and dual air vents for proper circulation.
This indoor/outdoor dog house has white sides, a blue roof, and a black base.
It’s built to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
It’s easy to assemble using the buckles and screws provided.
Best for Water Resistance
Plastic Dog House
  • High-quality and water-resistant
  • Made from premium PP materials
  • Dual vents ensure proper circulation of fresh air
  • Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use
Check Amazon

3. Best for Comfort and Portability: Best Pet Fabric Dog House 

The Best Pet Fabric Dog House provides your dog with a cozy space padded with soft fabrics. If you want a spacious and well-designed soft home for your pet, Best Pet product comes in three cute designs, stylish color schemes, and a comfortable interior you need to give your dog the best life. This product is made of premium materials and high-end construction procedures. The interior is fitted with soft poly-foam and an ultra-plush pillow. 

Given how posh and luxurious the house looks, watching your dog enjoy the serene interior is enough to make your day. Everything, ranging from the fabrics, color, shape, and interior designs, was made to offer maximum comfort and thrilling looks. It is strong, durable, and has an anti-skid base that prevents it from collapsing. You can easily keep it clean by washing it; it is machine washable without losing its structure. When it comes to set up, you need no tools or special skills. It can be easily assembled within a few minutes. Dimensions: 16” x 16” x 14”.

A few reviewers reported that this indoor dog house was too small for their small dogs, and a couple said that the padding was thin.

Pros and Cons of the Best Pet Fabric Dog House

ProsCons
This line includes three plush indoor dog houses made of premium materials using high-end construction procedures.A few reviewers said this dog house was too small for their small dogs.
The dog house interior is filled with soft poly-foam and an ultra-plush pillow.A couple of buyers said that the padding was too thin.
It’s strong, durable, and features an anti-skid base that prevents it from collapsing.
It’s easy to assemble within minutes without tools or special skills.
This dog house measures 16” x 16” x 14” and is suitable for small dogs.
Best for Comfort and Portability
BEST PET SUPPLIES Home Sweet Home Plush Covered Cat & Dog Bed
  • Padded with soft fabrics
  • Comes in cute designs and stylish color schemes
  • Strong and durable
  • Machine washable
Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best Wooden, Multi-Functional: Unipaws Dog House

The Unipaws Dog House is a furniture-style, multi-functional dog house. If you are looking for a dog crate that can also serve as a piece of furniture, Unipaws pet house is the best. It can be used as a stylish side table, end table, and nightstand. It is designed and constructed with durability and longevity in mind. The dog house is made of high-quality, strong wood and wire to ensure it withstands harsh use and stands the test of time. It is designed to effortlessly blend with your interior décor. It’s available in white or espresso (dark brown) and in three sizes: Small (23.5″ x 18.3″ x 20.5″), Medium (32″ x 23″ x 26″), and Large (36.2″ x 26.5″ x 31.5″).

There is a waterproof pet bed to offer your dog a soft and comfy place to relax and rest. All the sides are covered with wire, creating open spaces for the maximum circulation of fresh air. It comes in a double door design to help you easily remove the cushion for proper cleaning. The top provides extra storage space for glasses, drinking cups, newspapers, books, lamps, etc.

Reviews for this product were mainly positive, but a few buyers said that this crate was difficult to assemble and a handful of others said that they received damaged pieces.

Pros and Cons of Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Puppy

ProsCons
Royal Canin is renowned for making breed-specific puppy and dog foods.It’s expensive.
This recipe for lab puppies contains DHA Omega-3 fatty acids to support vision and cognitive development.
High-quality proteins and prebiotics support optimal stool quality.
It’s free from harmful chemical preservatives.
The kibble is designed to be easy for lab puppies to pick up and chew.
Best Wooden, Multi-Functional
unipaws Furniture Style Dog Crate End Table with Cushion
  • Can also serve as a piece of furniture
  • Designed and constructed with durability and longevity in mind
  • Waterproof pet bed
  • Made of high-quality, strong wood and wire
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When shopping for the best small indoor dog house, there are some key factors to take into consideration. They are price, size, durability, and ventilation. Here is how to consider the best dog house across each of these factors:

Price

Everything revolves around price. You have to look for a product that suits your needs and budget. We considered affordability; consequently, the products recommended here may not be the cheapest but they are affordable. They are durable dog houses you can get with an average budget.

Durability

Go for a product built with high-quality materials. If you do not want to shop for a pet house every year, buy a product that is designed and constructed for durability and longevity.

Size

Pet houses come in different sizes. To buy the appropriate size for your pup, you need to know their actual size. Measure the length of your dog, from the tip of the nose to the top of the tail while it is standing with all four feet. Measure the height when the dog is sitting, from the floor to the topmost point of the head. Add 4 inches to both their length and their height to determine the ideal size of the house the dog needs.

Ventilation

Your pet needs proper fresh air circulation, especially during the summer. Look out for ventilation designs when shopping for a pet house. Poorly ventilated products can impact your dog’s health.

The Different Types of Dog House: Pros and Cons Compared

There are three major types of dog houses; they are wood, plastic, and fabric pet houses. Each type is unique with merits and demerits.

1. Wood dog houses are great for durability and aesthetics. When it comes to longevity and blending with home décor, wood is the best option.

Pros

  • It is great for durability and longevity.
  • It blends with interior décor, while some with furniture-style designs are multi-functional.

Cons

  • Wood can quickly deteriorate if not properly treated.
  • Wooden dog houses are hardly lightweight and portable.

2. Plastic dog houses are made using contemporary plastic materials, providing some qualities that are absent in other types. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of a plastic pet house:

Pros 

  • Plastic is lightweight and can be portable.
  • It is water-resistant and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Cons 

  • It is not suitable for destructive dogs.

3. Fabric dog houses provide the most comfort. That being said, it is not devoid of downsides.

Pros

  • It offers maximum comfort.
  • It is lightweight and portable.

Cons

  • The roof and the sides may collapse.
  • It is not suitable for dogs that are heavy chewers.

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

In our experience, a significant percentage of indoor dog houses do not stand the test of time. They are destroyed by heavy chewers or do not just last as long as expected. Often, this happens because dog owners fail to make the right product choice. Consequently, we always recommend strong, stylish wood dog houses and also advise people to consider important factors like size, their dog’s habits, and the product’s durability when selecting an indoor dog house.

In testing, wood dog houses always outperform plastic and fabric when it comes to durability and longevity. Wood is suitable for dogs of all sizes, including destructive or aggressive ones. We strongly recommend well-designed and constructed wood houses for durability and longevity.

We picked a high-quality wood pet house as the overall best. However, some dog owners have drawn our attention to the common downsides of wooden products. They expressed dissatisfaction, saying that wood is not water-resistant, less comfy, and can easily deteriorate. If you have the same concern, we recommend a coated, well-finished, and treated wood house with polished and cushioned interiors.

Up Next

  • The Best Heated Dog Beds — Every dog appreciates having a warm, cozy bed of their own!
  • The Best Orthopedic Dog Beds — If your dog has arthritis, is a senior, or simply enjoys being pampered, they’ll appreciate any of these orthopedic dog beds.
  • Best Calming Dog Beds — If your dog experiences anxiety during stressful situations such as thunderstorms and fireworks, a calming bed will give them a comfortable, secure sanctuary.

Best forProduct
Best OverallPetsfit Folding Indoor Dog House
Best for Water ResistancePlastic Dog House
Best for Comfort and PortabilityBEST PET SUPPLIES Home Sweet Home Plush Covered Cat & Dog Bed
Best Wooden, Multi-Functionalunipaws Furniture Style Dog Crate End Table with Cushion
About the Author

Growing up in rural New England on a small scale farm gave me a lifelong passion for animals. I love learning about new wild animal species, habitats, animal evolutions, dogs, cats, and more. I've always been surrounded by pets and believe the best dog and best cat products are important to keeping our animals happy and healthy. It's my mission to help you learn more about wild animals, and how to care for your pets better with carefully reviewed products.

Best Small Indoor Dog House: Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is the best dog house?

The best dog house should be affordable, ventilated, easy to clean, durable, and properly designed. Other factors like aesthetics and comfy interior are part of what makes a dog house great.

Is a dog house worth it?

Yes, getting a good pet house is one of the best decisions you can make for your cute dog. It provides an exclusive and cozy place where your dog can relax and stretch. Also, restricting the movement of your dog is easier with a house it loves.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.