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Best outdoor cat houses 2024 to shelter your furry friend
If your feline friend is the adventurous type then investing in one of the best outdoor cat houses is a must. These adorable little structures provide a safe resting spot for your outdoor cat, keeping them sheltered from wind, rain, and snow. They also help them stay nice and warm on those cold winter nights, and out of the sun on hotter days.
While some cats will just come back indoors through the catflap if the weather turns, plenty of cats just prefer staying outside most of the time. The best outdoor cat houses are a great solution for outdoor cats, ensuring they always have a safe space to come back to. Pair them up with the best outdoor wireless cameras for pets so you can always keep an eye on your pussy cat as they come and go.
As Dr. Joanna Woodnutt explains, Outdoor cat houses are great for keeping feral, stray, or outdoorsy cats warm. Some cats find coming indoors stressful, and its kinder to help them be more comfortable where they are. If you have a cat that likes to be outdoors, providing an outdoor cat house not only keeps them warm, it can also help them hide from predators and gives them somewhere safe to hide from other things that scare them.
Check out our guide to caring for outdoor cats for more advice to keep your furry friend safe. If you need an outdoor space for a predominantly indoor cat, then you should check out the best outdoor cat enclosures instead.
Dr Joanna Woodnutt qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Nottingham where she then went on to practice companion animal medicine in the Midlands. She really took to the consulting side of things and helping clients with medical problems such as dermatology, behaviour and nutrition - anything that involved helping clients understand their pets better.
PetsRadar's pick of the best outdoor cat houses
K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Cat House
Best overall outdoor cat house
Specifications
Size: 22" x 18" x 17" (WxDxH)
Material: Polyester
Suitable for: 1 cat
Reasons to buy
+Good quality
+Heated
+Easy to assemble
WHAT CAT OWNERS SAY
With 4.6 out of five stars on Amazon, cat owners praise the quality of this house and how warm the heating pad is. People find it easy to assemble, disassemble and store away, but many do say that its smaller than what they were expecting.
If you're looking to offers kitties a cosy retreat from the elements, look no further than the K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House.
This handy hideout is super plush and features insulated walls and a heating pad inside with a removable fleece cover that ensures a warm and comfortable place for cats to sleep through cold nights.
Made from 600 denier polyester, it's tough enough to withstand most weather conditions and is relatively water-resistant. It's most ideal when used inside a barn, garage, or porch. The product does not feature raised feet to take it off wet ground, while the heating pad features a plug that's not ideal for being fully exposed outdoors.
The cord provided is fairly short, so many buyers opt to use an extension cord, however initial set up is easy enough. Once you've found your spot to place the kitty house, simply use the hook and loop system to fasten the walls, while the roof can be zippered.
Once set up, there's some great features. The K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House features two exits with removable plastic flaps, so pets cannot be trapped by predators, and you've got to love the additional stylish designs on offer here, including a barn or log cabin design.
Love's Cabin Outdoor Cat House
Best budget outdoor cat house
Specifications
Size: 13" x 17" x 16.25" (WxDxH)
Material: Oxford material
Suitable for: 1 cat
Reasons to buy
+Plenty of room
+Inexpensive
+Easy to assemble
Reasons to avoid
-Construction not strong enough for exposed areas
WHAT CAT OWNERS SAY
Cat owners like that this house is big enough to fit a chunky kitty and that it holds up well in wind and rain. Awarding it 4.6 stars on Amazon, the majority of buyers describe it as durable, attractive, and cost-effective, although some say its a bit too flimsy for their liking.
If you're looking for an inexpensive addition to your garage or porch, then Love's Cabin Outdoor Cat House could do the job.
It's an indoor/outdoor cat house so much like the more expensive K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Cat House it's best placed somewhere that's not directly exposed to the elements.
The cat house is made from a waterproof Oxford material, so it will stand up to light rain, but its design does not feature raised feet or solid exterior walls to handle water from the ground nor a double door feature to protect from common predators.
You'll likely find, however, that Love's Cabin Outdoor Cat House is much more durable than you expect at first sight. Its stylish grey design looks like an indoor kitty cabin, but its tough material gives it dual use. You can use it inside the home, then move it outside for your pet to sleep in.
Just keep it sheltered away from high winds as the cat house may need a spot of extra weight to keep it locked to the ground.
All in all, it's a good choice for your own pets to retreat to in the event of light rain, but if you're looking to buy for feral cats, that lack of escape door could be the deal breaker.
Petsfit Large Outdoor Cat House
Best waterproof outdoor cat house
Specifications
Size: 29.5" x 19" x 29" (WxDxH)
Material: Finnish spruce
Suitable for: 2-3 adult cats & 4-5 kittens
Reasons to buy
+Stylish
+Generous size
+Easy to clean
Reasons to avoid
-No heating or insulation
WHAT CAT OWNERS SAY
The decorative look alone has earned this cat house 4.3 out of five stars from Amazon reviewers with buyers raving about how adorable it is. The sturdiness and value for money also get the thumbs up, however, some buyers feel it requires insulation to truly be warm.
Come rain or snow, keeping your furry friend dry is an essential requirement when it comes to outdoor cat houses. This stylish cat condo offers furkids a roof over their head quite literally.
Additionally, there's also enclosure walls that are made up by boards milled with angles to precisely fit, ideal for keeping kitties inside dry.
In fact, this house has everything you'd expect from a cat home, including two doorways: a traditional entranceway and extra escape door at the back in case of predators, which is essentially a stylish catflap!
What the manufacturers don't offer their cat guests, however, is heating. Pet owners can add bedding or heating pads inside to act as insulation, which can work well in winter months.
There's some great touches here that show how much thought had gone into weather-proofing. The house is covered by wood shingles, coated with non-toxic water-based paint, to hold up against the elements, while the raised floor with plastic feet protects against decay from rain.
All in all it's a pretty decent weatherproof option, although some pet owners may look to reinforce the wood trim of the roof in the event of blizzards or heavy rain showers.
If you're looking to use mainly in winter months, adding extra insulation and covering vent holes will give it the extra protection from rainwater.
New Age Pet ecoFLEX Albany Outdoor Cat House
Best eco-friendly outdoor cat house
Specifications
Size: 21.8" x 19.1" x 20.2" (WxDxH)
Material: ecoFLEX
Suitable for: 1 cat
Reasons to buy
+Made from recycled plastic-wood
+Multiple exits
+Lightweight yet sturdy
WHAT CAT OWNERS SAY
This eco-friendly cat house gets 4.6 stars on Amazon with people loving how lightweight and easy to move around it is. Describing it as simple yet sturdy, buyers like that its affordable and quick to assemble, but they express some disappointment that its not fully rain-resistant.
New Age Pet specialize in creating homes for pets made from ecoFLEX, which is a type of non-toxic, recycled wood and plastic polymer composite. It's not completely plastic-free, with the addition of the frame, but it's a great step in the eco direction.
Fortunately, it happens to be a rather good outdoor cat house too. Sturdy enough to take on the elements, while being cool in heat and warm in cold damp weather.
This stylish house doesn't feature insulation or heating, so you may opt to pop in a heated mat yourself. For cooler months, the house features an elevated floor that helps with ventilation.
This cat house is 1.5 inches off the ground, handy once the rain starts to accumulate on the ground. If you live somewhere with feral animals, such as deer or coyotes, note that the cat house is not so far off the ground that it would prevent curious wildlife from poking their heads in.
The product looks to help this by providing two doors to give your cat the freedom to come and go as she pleases, but it's worth considering where you place this cat house.
PETYELLA Heated Cat House
Best heated outdoor cat house
Specifications
Size: 17 x 17.3 x 13 (WxDxH)
Material: PVC
Suitable for: 1 cat
Reasons to buy
+Easy to clean
+Weatherproof
+Warm and cozy
Reasons to avoid
-Lightweight construction
WHAT CAT OWNERS SAY
With 4.6 out of five stars on Amazon, buyers rave about how cozy this cat house is and say that its both simple to assemble and easy to clean. Described by many as warm and weatherproof, the one drawback with this well-made house is that people feel its a bit too lightweight to remain sturdy in high winds and rain.
The PETYELLA Heated Cat House has long been a firm favorite amongst pet parents and its not hard to see why. Measuring 17 x 17.3 x 13, its ideal for cats up to 25 lbs and the water-resistant design means theyll always stay dry.
Featuring a heated pad thats soft and cozy, it comes with a 1-meter chew-proof cord as well as a 4-meter extension cord, perfect for those situations where youd prefer to keep the house in a garage or barn as opposed to a porch or balcony. Theres also a timer included if youd prefer to schedule heating rather than leaving the pad on 24/7.
Made from waterproof PVC with insulated walls, it has two doors with removable flaps and the roof comes off to grant easy access to the house for cleaning. The cover inside is also simple to remove and machine washable.
How to choose the best outdoor cat house
Predator protection: Are you looking to buy the outdoor cat house for feral felines or pets? If it's the latter, then consider how the house will hold up against potential predators.
A good outdoor cat house for feral cats will have an escape door at the back, while houses that are taller, off the ground and structurally solid can prevent curious animals from snooping in.
Weatherproofing: How does the cat house perform against the elements? Considering where to place your outdoor cat house is a key consideration that informs this.
For instance, if you're looking to place it inside a barn or garage, then an outdoor cat house that sits on the ground and is made from Oxford material or polyester is a good choice. However, if it will be fully exposed to the wind and rain, opt for sturdy wooden structure instead.
Insulation: Consider if you're looking to keep the cat inside extra cozy. If you live somewhere that's particularly cold or are buying during winter seasons, then you may opt for a heated cat house.If your outdoor cat house of choice does not have this, you could look to buy a heated pad or extra bedding instead.
Size: Are you looking to house several stray cats in the neighborhood? Some outdoor cat houses are best suited for one cat, such as a pet, and are not the roomiest for multiple felines. Consider outdoor cat houses that have multiple storeys if your looking to buy for feral cats.
What kind of house does an outside cat need?
If you decide to get an outdoor cat house, look for something waterproof, as keeping the rain off will be a key function, advises Woodnutt. If you are in an area that gets snow, it will need to be sturdy enough to hold snow on the roof without collapsing, or the roofs pitch will have to be steep enough to shed snow. Insulation is important in colder winters too - its usually better to buy a better insulated house rather than try to put blankets inside, as these may quickly get wet and moldy.
Heated cat houses exist but are generally not recommended - providing the indoor space is small enough and well insulated, your outdoor cat will be able to warm the space with their body temperature. Heating pads risk overheating the cat and driving them back outside, or malfunctioning and causing burns. Lastly, the doors should be small, and there should be two- smaller doors will deter predators, and having an escape route will be essential for the cats safety and peace of mind.
How can I keep outdoor cats warm?
Providing a well-insulated cat house that isnt too large is the best way to warm an outdoor cat, says Woodnutt. Like all mammals, they produce body heat which will heat up a space quickly as long as it is insulated. If you already have a cat house that isnt insulated, you could look at adding insulation. Try to resist the temptation to add blankets, which will quickly get wet, muddy, and moldy.
How cold is too cold for a cat to live outdoors
Many cats love the great outdoors, but if you live in a colder climate, or somewhere with harsh winters then it can be worrying to let your cat outside in these frosty temperatures. We spoke to veterinary surgeon Rebecca MacMillan to ask what temperature range is safe and comfortable for your feline friend.
As a general rule, prolonged exposure to temperatures of less than 45 F (7.2 C) is unsuitable for most cats. But it is worth bearing in mind that different cats will tolerate temperature differently, so the answer is not clear-cut. explains MacMillan. Cats that are small, hairless, or have very fine coats will feel the cold and start to struggle, much quicker than larger thick-coated breeds. As temperatures drop, these cats will need to be brought indoors earlier.
While cats will tolerate lower temperatures, our expert vet says that, much like humans, most cats are happiest at an ambient temperature of 64- 70 F (18-21 C).
There are other considerations like the age and general health of your cat to consider too, according to MacMillan. Elderly cats or young kittens will need to move somewhere warmer sooner than a fit adult cat might. If temperatures are consistently at low levels, then an outdoor cat house may not be suitable and you should bring your cat indoors.
How we selected the best outdoor cat houses
Weatherproof: Keeping your outdoor kitty warm and dry is important, especially during the winter months. With that in mind, we wanted to ensure that the cat houses in this guide are resistant to wind and rain and that theres enough space for you to provide some form of insulation if the house doesnt already come with that.
For the most part, we followed Dr. Woodnutts advice to avoid heated pads, however, we did include two options for those who would prefer to offer their outdoor cat a warmer and cozier sleeping space. If youre at all worried about overheating, our recommendation is the K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House which has been tested & is certified by MET Labs, exceeding USA/CA electrical safety standards.
Size: This was a key consideration for us when putting together this guide as we want to ensure that any cats using the house are safe from predators. For that reason, weve selected houses with door entrances that are no greater than eight inches as this stops larger animals, such as dogs and foxes, from gaining entry. We also focused on narrower interior dimensions where possible to create the coziest feel possible.
Ease of assembly: If youre anything like us and DIY is not your strong suit, then you likely dont want to spend ages trying to figure out how to put your new outdoor cat house together. To help make life a whole lot easier, weve chosen models where the assembly requirements are minimal and the instructions simple to follow.
