Home Shea Gyngell on 24 Dec 2007
Pamper Your Pooch With A Kennel Shade Cover
In summertime, the living is easy. At least, it is for those of us relaxing in air-conditioned comfort. For all of those dogs suffering in kennels without adequate shade, however, life in the summertime is anything but easy.
As a pet owner, you are morally and legally obligate to provide the very best care for your dog. This high quality of life includes time spent inside, and outside, the home. If you have a dog that spends time in an outdoor kennel, you must provide adequate shade from the hot summer sun with a kennel cover.
Fortunately, finding and installing a dog kennel shade cover is a simple process. It doesn’t need to be expensive, either. Even the most basic dog kennel shade cover will provide the degree of protection your pet needs at a price you can afford.
If you have more than one kennel on your property, each one must have a shade cover. The shade protects your pets and helps keep them cool in the hotter months, and provides much needed shelter when the weather turns bad. Severe weather or extended periods of rain and snow can be very harmful to animals. Finding the right dog kennel shade cover is essential to ensuring your pet remains healthy, whatever the weather.
Don’t Cut Corners
Wondering why you should buy a shade cover, when you can just throw a tarp over the dog kennel? It’s just not going to provide the protection your pet needs. A plain tarp might be able to keep the sun out, but the material will not be able to withstand everything nature has to offer. A regular tarp can tear and break down over time, leaving your pet exposed to snow and driving rain. Further, tarps do nothing to deflect the sunlight, and can even increase the temperature of the kennel area.
Don’t settle for a plain tarp, with a proper dog kennel shade cover only costs a few dollars more. A proper shade cover will attach to the dog kennel at a slanted angle, so you can be sure than any rain, snow and melting ice will fall to the ground and no pool on top. Pooling water will cause the cover to collapse, and can harm your pet.
Keep it Tight
Once you’ve installed the kennel shade cover, double-check that it’s properly installed and securely tightened before putting your pet in the kennel. If the cover blows off during high winds, your dog will be exposed to the elements and prone to injury from heavy rain, sleet or snow.
Size Matters
You can find dog kennel shade covers in a variety of sizes, and most can be added to any existing kennels already set up in your yard. Take accurate measurements of your kennel and purchase a cover that fits properly. Don’t go to the time and trouble of installing a cover that’s too large or too small. If you haven’t built a kennel yet, look for a complete setup that includes the cover in the kennel package. Otherwise, you’ll pay extra for the cover later on.
There are days when it rains cats and dogs, and your pet needs a place to stay warm and comfortable. It’s even more important to keep your pet safe. It only takes a little time and money to install a dog kennel shade cover, but it’s certainly worth it. There’s nothing too good for your best friend.