Whether you have a cat who loves outdoor living, or you’re looking to provide some shelter for feral cats in your yard, supplying your adventurous friend with an outdoor cat house is a great way to add some comfort to their lives!
There are a lot of features you should consider necessities for a cat house that can stand up to the elements, and knowing what to look for can save you time and frustration with subpar options.
While some features may seem obvious, things like a double door can help make your cat feel comfortable and provide options for escape from predators — it’s okay…most other people don’t think of this either!
To make your search easier, we’ve put together this comprehensive list of reviews that will help you find the perfect outdoor home for your kitty.
If we could skip telling you what we love about this and instead tell you what our cats love about it, we would! This cat house is made with a water-resistant exterior that stood up very well against rain and even snow, so you won’t have to worry about running outside to drag it in when you face inclement weather. This house is easily assembled, and it stayed together very well once put together.
This is large enough to house two or even three cats if needed. The heating pad inside can make your cats far more comfortable on cold nights, and the double door with detachable flaps gives you options for set up and offers your cat escape options in case a dog or other predator blocks one of the doors. A minor complaint is that we would have loved to see a protective coating on the wiring to prevent chewing. And while the lightweight construction is great for assembly and relocation, it does mean this house won’t stand up well to wind.
To conclude, we think this is the overall best outdoor heated cat house.
Our best value choice is a steal of a deal for a place your cats can call home. This cat house is made from very sturdy pine, and the roof is similar to asphalt roofs used for houses, so you can expect this to hold up very well to rain, wind, and other bad weather. It’s elevated off the ground to prevent water damage to the flooring, and the floor inside is removable, so cleaning this cat house will be simple for you.
You won’t have to worry about raccoons or other unwanted “house guests” when not in use by your cat, as the front ramp folds up into a door that latches closed. If ever you’re concerned about your cat or want to offer some treats, you can simply lift the hinged roof to check on them.
Assembly was somewhat difficult, and the instructions were hard to follow. This cat house also doesn’t include a heating pad, so you’ll have to provide one for your cat if you’re in a colder climate. The lack of heating and difficulty assembling kept this out of our number one spot. However, especially given the price tag, we believe this is one of the best outdoor cat houses for the money.
Pros
Made of sturdy materials
Stands up to bad weather
Cleaning is a breeze
Door latches for safety
Roof hinges for easy access
Very affordable
Cons
Assembly is somewhat difficult
Doesn’t include heat source
3. Petmate Kitty Kat Condo Outdoor Cat House – Premium Choice
This igloo-shaped cat house is made from durable foam which is very sturdy and also offers excellent protection from rain, snow, and even wind. The floor is made from an insulating material that will help keep your cat warm in the winter, but this house doesn’t come with a heat source. You may need to provide a heating pad as well if you experience very low temperatures.
The dome comes apart easily if needed for cleaning, and the carpet inside is machine-washable, so you won’t spend much time cleaning this cat house. The lack of a heating pad and the higher price kept this out of our top two options, but this is still an excellent choice to provide some sturdy shelter for your outdoor cats!
When it comes to premium picks, we think this is the best outdoor cat house out there.
Pros
Very sturdy materials
Stands up to bad weather very well
Floor made of insulating material
Easy to assemble
Very easy to clean
Cons
Doesn’t include heat source
More expensive than other options
4. K&H Pet Products Extra-Wide Outdoor Kitty House
This is a good-sized cat house with plenty of space on the interior for two cats. It’s made from a water-resistant material that will stand up well against light rain and snow, but you may find some leaking if it’s exposed to heavy rain. Additionally, the house is rather light and may not fare well in strong winds.
Assembly is a breeze with folding walls and a zippered roof, and there are two see-through doors to allow your cat an extra escape option if needed. This house doesn’t come with a heating source, but there is a machine-washable pad on the interior, so your cleaning process will be easy and stress-free.
The materials are of moderate quality, but you may find some deterioration over time. This cat house doesn’t include a heat source, so you will need to buy an additional product to keep your cat warm on colder nights.
This ecoFLEX cat house is an aesthetically pleasing cat house made out of recycled plastic. It has two doors for safety and to ease your cat’s fear of feeling trapped in a small area. The material used is a breeze to clean, so you can expect to spend very little time hosing or wiping this house down. The doors, unfortunately, have small seams around them, so rain does tend to find its way in, and this is especially true if it’s windy.
The house is simple to put together, but the two doors also attach with glue from the interior. We’re not confident they will hold up over time, and you may find yourself checking them periodically to ensure they haven’t fallen off. The house is rather small and can only comfortably fit one cat who is smaller in size.
The materials in the ecoFLEX cat house feel fairly durable, but we would have liked to see metal screws rather than plastic ones for added durability. This is another house that doesn’t include a heat source, so you’ll need to provide one if you live in a colder climate.
This cat house is a breeze to assemble and doesn’t require any tools. It’s made from a nylon canvas material that provides a nice weather-resistant housing for your kitty. While the material holds up well to rain, the doors do have seams and allow some rain inside. It includes two clear doors for your cat to use as windows or escape routes.
The roof easily latches open and allows access to the floor pad, so your cleaning process will be quick and simple. The house is very small, so it’s not recommended for more than one medium-sized cat. It doesn’t include a heat source for your feline friend, and it’s not exceptionally sturdy when set up, so even moderate wind could be an issue for this cat house.
This is a beautiful cat house that will make a nice addition to any outdoor area. It’s made out of cedar and asphalt material for the roofing, and it does seem like it will hold up well to time and use. The roof is elevated over the main part of the house, which makes this very prone to leaking. This setup, unfortunately, doesn’t make this a good option for outdoor use.
The house is also rather small and isn’t suitable for larger cats. There are two doors included for an easy escape from predators, and there is a balcony area where cats can lounge as well. The floor isn’t complete and needs to be supplemented with some other material, and the doors don’t have coverings, which leaves this house further exposed. This exposure to the outside and the fact that this house doesn’t have a heat source means this is not a good option for colder climates or inclement weather. We’d suggest giving this one a pass and choosing one of our options higher up on the list.
This is another visually appealing cat house that includes a balcony and an indoor area for your cats. It is very small and barely fits a full-grown cat, so it’s best suited for kittens. It’s made of what feels like very cheap wood with asphalt material for the roof, and it doesn’t feel very sturdy when it’s assembled. The roof is elevated over the interior area which makes it prone to leaking, and there is only one exit from the interior which can stress your cat and leave them prone to attack.
This cat house doesn’t include a heat source, and the single door doesn’t close. This is not a good option for colder temperatures or inclement weather, and we’re not confident it would stand up to wind either. The materials are of low quality, and we expect they would degrade fairly quickly. This one doesn’t get our recommendation.
Pros
Aesthetically pleasing
Includes balcony for elevated lounging
Cons
Too small for full-grown cat
Made of cheap materials
Interior is very prone to leaking
Only includes one door
Doesn’t include a heat source
Not suitable for cold or wind
Low durability
Buyer’s Guide: Select the Best Outdoor Cat House
As you shop around for the perfect outdoor cat house, you’ll notice a lot of different features that are available. There are a few key things you need to look for to make sure you provide your cat with a proper shelter that is both safe and comfortable. Here are the top aspects of a cat home you want to keep an eye out for when choosing your next outdoor abode for your kitty.
Weather-Proof Materials
The obvious first thing to look for is whether or not the material will protect your cat from the elements. A durable and waterproof or water-resistant material is essential for keeping rain and snow out of your cat’s shelter. Entrances for your cat are of course going to be necessary, so finding a cat house with doors and windows that seal well is also very important. You’ll want to find doors that are easy enough for your cats to walk through but won’t be blown open by wind. Although not a major issue in many areas, you may need to search for a cat house that is durable and heavy enough to withstand strong winds as well. All of the comforts of being protected from the weather in your home should be extended to your cat too!
Dual Doors
Having at least two doors is also essential for an outdoor cat house. Cats don’t like feeling trapped, and that fear is especially prevalent in small spaces like a shelter. Giving your cat two options for entering and exiting isn’t just to calm their nerves either. When your cat spends at least a portion of their day outside, they’re bound to come in contact with raccoons, possums, and other potential predators. If an animal is preventing your cat from exiting one of the doors, the other exit that once just quelled their anxiety suddenly becomes essential for survival. This is a key feature that you’ll want to look out for, and it might even make the difference between your cat using or ignoring the house you choose altogether.
Space
Interior space is another thing to look out for in an outdoor cat house. While roominess may seem like a creature comfort, you may find your cat avoiding a cat house that’s too small. That same fear of being trapped in a small area might mean the product you choose goes to waste and doesn’t get used if it’s too small. You’ll want to pay careful attention to the dimensions of the houses you’re considering to make sure they’re big enough to allow for some comfort and movement inside.
Heat Source
Another thing you’ll want to think about for your cat’s comfort is a heat source. Some outdoor cat houses include a heating pad to provide some warmth during particularly cold days. If you live in a colder climate or are concerned that your kitty may get cold at night, a cat house that includes something to warm them up is an excellent option. Many products don’t include a heat source, so you may need to budget for one separately.
Ease of Cleaning
We know your cats come first, but now that you know what to look for to make them most comfortable, it’s time to think about yourself! To make your job easier, you’ll want to find a cat house that is easy to clean. This may mean that the material used for construction can easily be hosed or wiped down, or it may mean the interior is easily accessible and there’s a floor pad included that’s machine washable. Whatever the case, your cat house will be used often and will be exposed to the elements. Buying an outdoor shelter that won’t take you long to clean will make your life easier in the future.
Assembly
Lastly, you’ll want to consider how easy your cat house is to assemble, disassemble if needed, and relocate. You’ll likely only have to assemble once, but instructions that are difficult to follow or pieces that don’t fit together well can be immensely frustrating and lead to a return rather than a happy cat. If the cat house you choose is easy to take apart and put back together, and it’s light enough to move around when you want, it will make for a product that you continue to use even if you relocate or travel.
Conclusion: What Is The Best Outdoor Cat House
An outdoor cat house can serve as a comfortable shelter for your cat, can protect them from harsh weather conditions, and can keep them safe from predators. We know firsthand that the perfect cat house can be a blessing that brings you some peace of mind about your cat living outside, but figuring out how to choose one can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Our favorite outdoor cat house by far is the K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated A-Frame House. This house is durable, easy to assemble, protects your cats from the elements, and includes a heat source to keep your kitty warm and cozy through cold nights. If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck but still want a house your cats will enjoy and feel safe and protected in, the Trixie Outdoor Wooden Cat House is our recommendation. Whichever cat house you choose, we’re sure these reviews will help you narrow in on the perfect one for you and your feline friend!
Featured image credit: New Age Pet ecoFLEX Outdoor Cat House, Chewy
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
