The Best Outdoor Cat Houses

This article looks at what goes into making the best outdoor cat house and lists some of those you can currently buy.

Many will have no need for an outdoor cat house- those who have indoor cats being the obvious candidates.

Indeed, a cat shelter may not feature highly on a list of essential pet products.

However, for owners who let their cats venture outside regularly, or if you’re looking to provide shelter for a feral cat, then a cat house could well be worth considering especially for those who live in areas that experience more extreme weather conditions.

What you will discover:

• Some of the best cat houses currently available
• Factors to consider when choosing the best cat house
• What you should consider putting into one

How I Did My Product Research or ‘Method’

In short, in order to determine the best outdoor cat house, I’ve looked at products rated 4 stars and above on Amazon and ranked them in order of highest reviews at the time of writing (the ‘wisdom of the crowd‘ theory).

If you can find the same locally however, then do support your local business.

Please read this page for more detail on how I choose products.

Some products would have made this list but were persistently out-of-stock.

The number one cat house on this list was also out-of-stock, but I felt it best to include.

The remainder can be found at the end of ‘The Best Outdoor Cat House’ list.

The Best Outdoor Cat Houses

K&H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House

Notes: Also comes in barn, cottage and log cabin designs. Can be purchased as part of a heated bundle which includes a heated cat food and water bowl, or if you fancy it, the heated ultimate bundle with an extra shelter (or ‘dining room’) to put the heated food and water bowl into.

Although it states this is for the outdoor use some reviews suggest this isn’t entirely accurate and this will not do well if exposed to the elements.

ecoFLEX Albany Outdoor Cat House

Notes: Elegant looking and should hold firm against the elements.

K&H Pet Products Outdoor Multi-Kitty House

Notes: Same brand as the first house on the list, except this offering is larger as it provides housing for more than one cat. Unheated/heated versions available.

Petyella Heated Cat House

Notes: Two patterns available- this ‘brick’ option and a ‘wooden’ version. Not for the ‘out outdoors’ if you know what I mean- it seems it must be put under another form of shelter to prevent rain getting in.

Rockever Cat Shelter for Three-Four Cats

Notes: Also available in wine red and white. There is also a single storage version for 2-3 cats here that can be bought in blue and white and a model for single cats.

Love’s Cabin Outdoor Cat House

Notes: A good budget choice. If you didn’t know (like I didn’t), Oxford material is a light, synthetic waterproof material.

Extreme Consumer Products Indoor/Outdoor Cat House

Notes: A colourful addition to the list which can be bought in a variety of other bright colours if red doesn’t take your fancy.

Out Of Stock At The Time Of Writing:

K&H Pet Products Thermo Mod Kitty Shelter: 4.4/5 from 2,143 ratings

Factors To Consider

There are different cat houses for different needs.

Some of the most important factors are listed below, which can be prioritised according to your specific requirements….

Size

Size will be linked to the number of cats your cat shelter is to be used by.

More cats mean a bigger house- kind of obvious.

So some cat houses are aimed specifically at multi-cat use.

A large outdoor cat house would be needed to home multiple stray or feral cats for example.

Smaller houses then are better for lone cat use especially in colder climates as they can be insulated more effectively.

No cat’s going to stay in an outdoor cat shelter that leaks water onto it, which is why the next factor is so important…

Waterproofing/Weatherproofing

The extent of weather and waterproofing your cat will need depends on both where you intend to put it and the weather conditions it is likely to be exposed to.

If you intend to place your cat house inside a pre-existing shelter like a porch, shed or garage, then something waterproof isn’t going to be essential.

However, those in more exposed locations will need to be able to withstand all the elements can throw at it– think rain, snow, wind and heat.

Additionally, a good cat house will provide warmth in the cold, and shade in the heat.

Those houses made from more robust materials are also going to be more resilient to weather conditions.

Some houses are built with legs, raising them off the ground, not only making them warmer but somewhat flood proof.

In my experience, cats tend to prefer sleeping in beds that have some kind of elevation.

Most houses are also going to need some form of insulation, which is discussed next…

Insulation

Insulation in some shape or form will be needed in order to keep your cat house and cat warm and comfortable.

Some may come with built in insulation, but for others you will need to source the insulation yourself.

This will need to reflect body heat and not retain moisture.

Straw is a good, natural choice which you can buy in bulk and replenish accordingly.

Other options include Mylar (brand name for a type of polyester film/plastic sheet) or Styrofoam (a brand name for polystyrene).

It’s also worth remembering a smaller, more enclosed outdoor kitty house can be insulated more effectively and will therefore be better at retaining heat.

If you live in an extremely cold area, then insulation on its own may not be adequate, and you may need a heat pad or a cat house that can be heated…

Heated or Not Heated?

You will have seen (or will see, depending on the manner in which you read this article) that some of the cat houses listed (can) come with their own source of heating.

Although not essential, a heated cat house is something to consider if you live in a region that experiences particularly cold conditions.

The need for a connection to a power supply may make it impractical to have a heated house (if it requires one).

The conditions your cat house will be exposed to depend a lot on the next factor: Location.

Location

Although those featured in this article are ‘outdoor’ houses, it seems the best location for a cat house is in an already sheltered area.

This is backed up by some reviewers who claim the house they’d purchased just wasn’t able to withstand all that nature had to throw at it.

Recommended ideal locations include porches, sheds, barns or garages.

If you don’t have anywhere suitable or want to place your cat house in a more open area, then a weatherproof and waterproof model made from more robust materials (like) wood is going to be a better bet.

Also consider a raised house as previously mentioned.

Ideally, the house will also be placed:

• Away from the prying eyes of predators
• In a quiet location
• In a spot your cat knows well and regularly frequents.

I have also read that facing the opening of the house towards a wall or fence may make your cat feel safer- how they know this, I don’t know.

If you’re seeking to house strays, then placing the house in areas they occupy (with a bit of added food) will encourage them to use it.

Depending on where you live, kitty may well court some unwanted attention, which leads us onto…

Predators

Predation may be a concern to some, but even if you don’t live in area where you cat is likely to be hunted, there could be rival, unfriendly felines to think about.

Most of the cat houses listed here have a 2 doors- one which can act as a rear escape route should kitty need to flee from unwanted or potentially hazardous attention.

Do remember though, a house with 2 doors will be harder to keep warm.

Some breeds of cat are known to prefer narrow, raised sleeping/resting quarters as this gives them the opportunity to spot predators and react early.

Therefore, a house that is raised which allows your cat to look out would be more suitable if protection from predators is a top priority.

Additionally, and arguably better, is a cat house in a location any predators would struggle to gain access to- perhaps within some kind of enclosure attached to the house, or inside a building with an opening only big enough for a cat to fit through.

Now for a human related factor…

Ease of Assembly

Unless your cat’s going to help, assembling your cat house will be down to you and/or other humans.

If you’re capable and don’t mind dabbling in DIY, then ease of assembly is not something to ponder.

For others, there’s no real need to fret as those featured on this list can either be zipped into their final shape or constructed with the use of a Phillip’s screwdriver (and screws of course).

If that still puts you off, then you may have to buy an outdoor cat shelter that is already fully assembled.

Even after your house is put together though, you’re going to need to care for it…

Maintenance

Typically, this would involve cleaning as you would a cat’s basket or blankets and checking, removing and replacing any bedding or insulation as necessary.

Depending on the material the cat house is constructed from, a pet-friendly treatment to prevent mould could be applied on a yearly basis.

Wooden houses may need reapplication of pet-friendly waterproofing.

Bowls will also need cleaning and food/water replenished if you’ve decided to include some- which is pretty obvious.

Keep an eye out for damage especially with more exposed houses and after any extreme weather.

You may want to check any electric heating components on a more regular basis to ensure they’re working correctly and there’s no potential for harm.

But what if you’ve decided you’d quite like to build a house yourself?

Build Your Own

Of course, a cheaper, more satisfying option could be to build your own cat house.

What can I use for an outdoor cat house?

The options are only limited by your budget, time, capability and creativity.

Once built, it’s then a case of choosing an appropriate location, insulation etc. as you would a pre-made house.

Is An Outdoor Cat House Needed?

Whether a cat house is needed or not depends on your personal circumstances.

Most cats that are able to roam freely outside with access to secluded areas and live in temperate climates should do just fine without a purpose built cat shelter.

However, even in these circumstances, if your home doesn’t have a cat flap, you may want to consider a basic outdoor shelter.

Outdoor cats that are unable to head indoors in extreme weather conditions or when trying to evade predators would benefit most.

An outdoor cat house would clearly be beneficial for stray/feral cats.

What Should You Put In A Cat House?

As you may have read, a well insulated cat house is important in much colder climates.

This insulation can double up as bedding, if for example, straw is used.

In some cases, a heated pad or mat may be required.

If the outdoor kitty house is large enough, you could put a small amount of food within it- nothing that will attract predators.

Some houses can be bought with a matching food shelter/station which may be particularly beneficial if your intention is to assist strays.

How Can I Stop Other Cats Using The Cat House?

With the models listed, you can never guarantee another cat would not use them.

Some houses (though none listed here) use flaps that open inconjuction with a matching microchip.

In theory, this should prevent other cats from getting in.

Obviously, these models would be no good for feral cats.

Best Outdoor Cat House Summary

A good cat house whether wooden, plastic or otherwise, will provide a secluded place for your cat or a feral cat to feel secure and protected from predators and the elements.

Size of the cat shelter, level of insulation and location will all very depending on where you live and the number of cats that it will house.

It’s particularly important to consider the weather conditions the house is likely to be exposed to.

There should be something on this list to suit all needs.

If not, you can always go about making your own.

Or keep your pet as a house cat…

Further Reading:

Please note, Amazon links on this page are affiliate links from which I’ll receive a small percentage if you purchase at no extra cost to you. It all helps. Thanks.