As a cat owner, ensuring your feline companion has a comfortable and safe place to call their own is essential. Houses for cats provide the perfect solution, offering a designated space where your cat can rest, play, and feel secure. Whether you’re looking for a cozy hideaway indoors or a sturdy shelter for outdoor use, there are countless options available on the market today.
In this guide, we will help you explore the various types of houses for cats, comparing key features like material quality, size, design, and more. By understanding what makes each product unique, you’ll be better equipped to choose the perfect cat house that suits both your cat’s needs and your home environment. Let’s dive into the factors that matter most when selecting the ideal house for your furry friend.
The right outdoor cat house can improve a cat’s safety and health by providing a comfortable place for them to rest and feel secure. The temperature and type of inclement weather your cat is likely to encounter will determine which outdoor cat house is best, but there are other factors—some counterintuitive—that you should also consider.
According to a project manager at International Cat Care, the roomiest cat house is not always the best pick for your cat during winter months. Halls, who specializes in cat-friendly homing for the Cat Advocacy Team, recommends smaller homes for colder weather, allowing for “less space for the cat’s body heat to warm.”
In addition to weather, a cat house can offer protection from predators, but the structure needs to be secure, durable, and capable of withstanding wind, repelling moisture, and evading intruders. All while remaining accessible for cats to freely enter and exit.
Our Favorite Outdoor Cat House
Petsfit Cat House
Available in three quaint and tasteful colors, the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House checks all of the boxes when it comes to the primary specifications vets and cat experts recommend for a comfortable and safe home for your outdoor kitty. It’s also attractive enough for indoor or outdoor use.
The A-frame design helps keep the interior roomy without providing too much empty air space—making it easier for cats to keep it warm with just their body heat. The house’s interior dimensions are 18 by 17 inches, with 20 inches of height, providing enough space for one or two cats inside.
The boards of the roof—made from Finnish spruce—are pitched at angles to seal off the interior completely, while rubber insulation and plastic sheeting handily keep out rain and prevent water damage. Its awning, protected by asphalt, is a perfect shield against heavy snowfall.
The house is designed to hold in heat easily, requiring cats to build up less body heat to feel comfortable. If you need more heating in the house, there is an opening for a power cord to power a heating pad or other device.
Another crucial element for the safety of outdoor cats is a secondary escape door so that a cat can’t be cornered in the house by a dog or other predator. The escape door on the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House has a clear plastic panel so that cats can feel fully aware of their surroundings.
The Petsfit cat house can also withstand a lot of wear and tear from excitable cats, thanks to its sturdy wood design. It’s also easy to maintain since the two floorboards can be removed for cleaning.
While many people purchase a cat house for the outdoor cat in their own family, it’s also common for people to consider a cat house for feral or abandoned cats living nearby. With its durable wood construction and optimized design, the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House is suitable for most situations, making it a flexible pick that can serve most standard cat house needs.
Our Top Choice For Multiple Cats
Rockever Luxury Two Story Outdoor Cat Shelter with Escape Door Rainproof Outside Kitty House
The two-floor version (there’s also a roomy single-story model available) of the Rockever Outdoor Cat Shelter—constructed out of fir wood—is the way to go if you’re looking to put up three or four cats at a time. It provides plenty of room for feral cats to have their own space, play safely, and exit quickly through its two separate entrances. One element that makes this home irresistible is the adorable balcony, perfect for luxurious sunbathing.
It’s also resistant to the elements, thanks to a roof with asphalt shingles and acrylic protection on its doors. Though not fully insulated, its walls and flap doors are designed to contain as much heat as possible. In winter months, consider adding straw as an extra insulator.
The Rockever Outdoor Cat Shelter is available in gray, blue, or wine red (each version features white trim).
More We Recommend
K&H Pet Products Heated A-Frame Cat House
Best for Cold Weather: This compact A-frame cat house is exceptional at retaining heat, even without the faux fleece blanketed bottom and the 20-watt heating pad (there’s also a version suitable for multiple cats that’s available heated or unheated).
The polyester design of the K&H Pet Products Heated A-Frame Cat House is solidly weather-resistant and provides extra insulation on top of the heating capabilities. Even the doors are designed to retain heat, with clear door flaps on both the front and rear escape door. Plus, it’s tough enough for use with feral cats, in barns, or other adverse conditions. The only downside is its relatively short power cable, which only extends five and a half feet.
The faux fleece cover on the heating pad in the K&H A-Frame Cat House can be machine-washed on a cold cycle, and then air-dried. This cat house is also frequently available for deeply discounted prices.
The Kitty Tube Outdoor Insulated Cat House Gen 4
Best Upgrade: The Kitty Tube offers comprehensive insulation, rain protection, and temperature control. Because it is made from recycled materials, it is also the most environmentally friendly cat house on the market, and the smooth design makes it exceptionally easy to clean—a hose will usually do the trick!
The Kitty Tube is less of an attractive cat house and more of a utilitarian shelter for feral cats. It’s extremely well-suited for cold weather, and even the handholds used to move the Kitty Tube can be closed in winter (or left open for summertime ventilation). It even comes with straw insulation for the interior.
The main downside is that the Kitty Tube lacks a second exit. Instead, it relies on a narrow entrance with a substantial overhang to prevent access by predators.
Clawsable Outdoor Elevated Cat House
Best Weatherproof: This cat house from Clawsable is elevated up off the ground by six inches to keep the interior as free as possible from the ground’s moisture and cold. The waterproof cover is made from Oxford cloth that is removable and machine washable. This house is highly insulated with inserts covered in aluminum foil to help keep your outdoor cats warm and cozy during colder weather. It is also equipped with a heating pad for the bottom (powered with an electric cord) for cats to snuggle up on.
The medium size will fit one cat or two kittens, the large size is ideal for two large adult cats, and the extra-large size will accommodate a mother cat with her litter. The main downside to this cat house is that it only has one entry and exit door for a cat to use. For humans, the top can be unlatched and opened up offering a full access for cleaning and keeping it tidy.
Finding the right house for your cat is more than just a matter of comfort—it’s about providing a space where your pet can feel secure, relaxed, and happy. Whether you opt for a sleek, modern indoor cat house or a durable, weatherproof outdoor shelter, the key is to consider your cat’s preferences and your living environment. By focusing on important factors such as material quality, size, design, and ease of maintenance, you can make an informed decision that both you and your feline friend will appreciate.
Remember, every cat is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Take the time to evaluate your cat’s personality, your available space, and your budget to find the best option. With the right house, you can give your cat a personal retreat they’ll love for years to come.
So, whether you’re looking to enhance your cat’s indoor comfort or provide them with a secure outdoor refuge, there’s a perfect house for every cat. Start your search today and give your furry companion the home they deserve!
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