Petmate Indigo Dog House: Sizing and Door Guide
By Pet Products, Supplies & Accessories - Petmate Store | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Nákupní průvodci
Match the Petmate Indigo Dog House to your dog's measurements, then decide whether the Indigo Door is worth adding for wind, rain, and warmth.
Quick answer
Measure your dog from ground to the top of the head and from chest to tail, then pick the Indigo size that leaves a few inches of clearance on both. Add the Indigo Door if your dog will use the house in rain, wind, or cold—skip it if your dog refuses flaps or you live in a mild, dry climate.
Why the Indigo's offset doorway changes sizing
The Indigo's extended, offset doorway protects against rain and wind, but it also means your dog must duck and turn slightly to enter. That makes interior clearance more important than with a simple open-front house. If your dog is near the top of a size range, size up rather than hoping it will squeeze through.
The dome shape sheds snow and stays stable in high winds, so the house itself is a sound outdoor shelter. The trade-off is that the curved interior gives you less usable floor space than a boxy house of the same footprint. Measure the actual floor area you can offer, not just the exterior dimensions.
When the door flap helps—and when it backfires
A heavy-duty flexible vinyl door like the Indigo Door keeps warmth in and rain out, which matters in exposed or windy spots. But some dogs dislike pushing through a flap, especially older dogs or dogs new to outdoor shelters. If your dog is hesitant, leave the door off at first and add it after the house is established as a safe spot.
The door is designed specifically for Indigo houses, so it fits cleanly without gaps. That specificity is a strength for weather protection but means you cannot adapt a door from another brand. If you already own a different shelter, budget for a compatible door rather than forcing this one.
What the catalog does not tell you
The supplied product facts do not list exact interior dimensions, weight limits, or insulation ratings for either the house or the door. Do not assume a specific R-value or temperature rating. Use the measurements you take at home and the size options available at checkout to make the call, and treat any insulation claim as general rather than certified.
Decision rules for size and door
- Measure before you choose a size: With your dog standing, measure from the floor to the top of the head and from the chest to the base of the tail. Add about 2–3 inches to each measurement for clearance, then compare to the Indigo size options. If you are between sizes, choose the larger one. Write the measurements down and check them against the size chart at checkout.
- Decide on the door by climate and dog: Add the Indigo Door if the house sits in an exposed, windy, or rainy spot and your dog readily pushes through flaps. Skip it if your dog is elderly, hesitant, or lives in a mild, dry climate where the door adds little. Introduce the door only after your dog is comfortable using the house without it.
- Check the house placement: Place the Indigo on level ground with the offset doorway facing away from prevailing wind and rain. The dome sheds snow, but drifting snow can still block the entrance, so keep the doorway clear. Recheck the entrance after heavy snow or storms.
Product facts that affect your decision
- Petmate Indigo Dog House: Igloo-shaped outdoor doghouse with an extended, offset doorway and a patented dome roof. The offset entry adds weather protection but requires enough interior clearance for your dog to turn, so measure before choosing a size.
Petmate Indigo Dog House - Petmate Indigo Door: Heavy-duty flexible vinyl door made specifically for Petmate Indigo dog houses. A dedicated fit keeps rain and wind out without gaps, but it is only an option if you own an Indigo house.
Petmate Indigo Door
Who this guide is for
Best for
- Owners choosing a first outdoor dog house for a medium or large dog
- Dogs that already use a shelter and need better rain and wind protection
Not for
- Dogs that refuse to push through a door flap
- Owners who need exact insulation ratings or interior dimensions before buying
