If your cat is anything like mine, they seem to have an almost supernatural ability for finding small, cozy, enclosed places to take naps. However, their choices don’t seem to take any consideration of what’s safe or convenient. Cat tents can be a great way of providing cats with the sort of snug den they like, but in a way that also works for you. In addition, there are larger cat tents that are great outdoor enclosures for keeping your cat safe while allowing them to experience the great outdoors.
We reviewed dozens of cat tents to identify the best of the best. We looked at size, comfort, suitability for outdoor use and more to narrow down the options to only the top cat tents.
Our top pick, which stood out as a clear winner, is the Kitty City Large Cat Bed. It’s a cozy, attractive cat tent that provides an excellent hideaway for your cat to rest and get some privacy, while also encouraging play with the built-in toys on the out corners.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Cat Tents
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Cat Tent Overall | Kitty City Large Cat Bed | 4.7 |
| Best Outdoor Cat Tent | Nala and Company The Cat House | 4.7 |
| Best Budget Cat Tent | Hartz Just For Cats Peek & Play Cat Toy | 4.5 |
| Best Cat Tent Bed | Smiling Paws Cat House & Cat Condo | 4.7 |
| Best Cat Tent with Tunnel | eenk Cat Toy Tunnel and Cubes Bundle | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Cat Tent Overall: Kitty City Large Cat Bed
Our top pick is that Kitty City Large Cat Bed. This cat tent has a padded bottom for a soft laying surface, as well as a soft lining on the interior walls, to make the cat tent nice and cozy inside for your kitty. It has a flap style entry that can be left hanging closed if your cat prefers privacy, or held open with hook-and-loop fasteners on either side of the entry so that your cat can see what’s going on outside. The front two corners have attached feathers for your cat to swat at, so it encourages play, not just nap time.
While your cat will love the cozy interior and playing with the feather toys, you’ll like the attractive geometric print on the outside that naturally blends with most decor and doesn’t clash or draw too much attention like many cat products. In addition, the pattern coordinates with certain other Kitty City items, like the Kitty City Moon Bed, the Kitty City Tunnel Bed, and the Kitty City Stackable Cat Cube. You’ll also appreciate that it’s easy to set up: just zip up the zipper. It also folds flat for easy storage and movement, so it’s great if you don’t want to travel with it or like to cycle through different toys and furniture for your cat.
Kitty City Large Cat Bed Key Features:
- Padded floor
- Flap entry with hook-and-loop fasteners
- Feather toys
- Easy to set up
- Folds flat
- Coordinates with other Kitty City products
Best Outdoor Cat Tent: Nala and Company The Cat House
If you’re looking for a cat tent that you can use outside, then you can’t go wrong with the Nala and Company The Cat House. It’s 43″ tall, 23″ wide, and 18″ tall, so it’s a good size for allowing your cat to lounge in the sun for a little bit. The sides are made from mesh, so your cat gets a great, 360-degree view of the world around them. The zipper pulls on the door have a security clip that makes sure the door stays closed and your cat stays inside.
You can also use the tent indoors with the door open if your cat likes sheltered places, but also still wants to be involved with what’s going on or survey the surrounding area. You’ll probably want to add some bedding, though, since the tent doesn’t have a soft floor. The tent even has a hook-and-loop tab that will hold the door open so your cat can freely come and go. This cat tent also has a pop-up design and folds flat, so it’s easy to set up and is great for travel.
The tent is a good size for a single cat with the door closed, while two or even three cats, depending on size and the relationship between the felines, may use it at the same time with the door open.
Nala and Company The Cat House Key Features:
- 360-degree view
- Great for travel
- Security clip for zipper closure
- Hook-and-loop tap to hold door open
- Good for indoor or outdoor use
Best Budget Cat Tent: Hartz Just For Cats Peek & Play Cat Toy
The Hartz Just For Cats Peek & Play Cat Toy is a cat tent that’s great for both sleep and play. It doesn’t have the same cozy features as some of the other tents on this list, but it’s packed with features that encourage fun and satisfy your cat’s natural instincts to hunt and explore. And with something for everyone, it’s great for homes with multiple cats.
The tent is something of a short tube with large openings on each end for excellent access in and out. In addition, there are three windows along the length of the tube: one mesh, one covered with flaps perfect for peek-a-boo or staging ambushes, and one left totally open. Cats of all sizes will enjoy peaking through the windows, but smaller cats will also be able to jump in and out of them. A toy hangs from the roof at each end of the tent and the bottom has a crinkle scratch mat, which is detachable and easy to remove when the noise gets to be too much for the humans in your home. The bottom of the tent is all curved, similar to a rocking chair, so when one side is down, the other is slightly lifted, making the tent great for hiding.
Once your cat has tired of all of that, the tent is the perfect place for them to curl up and snooze until they have the energy to start it all over again.
Hartz Just For Cats Peek & Play Cat Toy Key Features:
- Three different windows
- Built-in hanging toys
- Removable crinkle scratch mat
- Pop up design
- Great for multi-cat households
Best Cat Tent Bed: Smiling Paws Cat House & Cat Condo
In terms of coziness, the Smiling Paws Cat House & Cat Condo is hard to beat, but it’s also versatile since it’s a two-in-one cat tent and lounger. You simply pull the roof up for a cozy, cube-shaped cat tent or pop it down for a cat lounger with walls. In the tent configuration, the cat house is self-warming because it traps your pet’s body heat inside, while as a lounger the open top and low walls allow for circulation, keeping the bed cool. The cat house also has a removable cushion that fits in both configurations. It can also be removed altogether for cats who tend to get too warm and the bed will still be very comfortable.
Smiling Paws carefully chose materials that are both pet safe and easy to clean. The denim exterior is made from premium organic cotton without chemicals. It has an attractive navy and white stripe pattern that matches many decor styles and doesn’t drag too much attention from the aspects of your home you’d prefer to be focal points.
The interior of the tent and the outside of the cushion of soft, dual spun faux sherpa polyester lining so they’re amazingly cozy. The walls are padded for extra softness and insulation. The filling is also polyester for comfort and insulation, and the bottom is taffeta with a grippy texture to prevent sliding. Both the bed itself and the removable cushion are machine-washable for the easiest possible care.
Smiling Paws Cat House & Cat Condo Key Features:
- 2-in-1 design
- 13″ x 13″ x 13″ as a tent, 13″ x 13″ x 7″ as a lounger
- Machine washable
- Soft sherpa lining
- Attractive striped denim exterior
- Removable cushion bedding
Best Cat Tent with Tunnel: eenk Cat Toy Tunnel and Cubes Bundle
The eenk Cat Toy Tunnel and Cubes Bundle is another great option for both rest and play. The bundle includes three pieces: a cube-shaped tent decorated to look like a cat, a pyramid-shaped tent decorated to look like a mouse, and tube to connect the two. Each tent has three round entrances and each of the ends of the tube can be attached to any of those entrances using the attached velcro fasteners, for a customizable, modular design. Many other manufacturers use a similar system, so you may be able to attach the tube and tents to products from other manufacturers, as long as the doors and tubes have 10″ diameters like the pieces in this set.
Each tent has an ample 20″ x 20″ footprint, providing enough room for either nap time or game time. The tube is flexible and can be arranged to provide a straight shot, s-curves, or a hairpin turn to keep your cat on their toes. The tube also has crinkle paper for extra fun and stimulation, and there’s a window on each side of the tube, allowing your cat to peak out.
Cats can play rough in tubes and tents like this, especially when playing with one another, but these are very durable. They feature a sprung steel frame and the fabric is reinforced along the frame. In addition, the pieces are all collapsible, great for travel or just getting them out of the way when necessary. The tube has built-in ties to help keep it closed and the set comes with a handled bag that fits all three pieces for easy storage and transportation.
eenk Cat Toy Tunnel and Cubes Bundle Key Features:
- Three-piece set
- Customizable layout
- Windows and crinkle paper in tube
- Very durable
- Collapsible
Who Should Buy a Cat Tent
Cat tents are a great buy for anyone who has a cat. Cats naturally like to have quiet, enclosed spaces to hang out, and especially nap, in. While they certainly tend to love soft, cozy beds, they also value the privacy and protection a walled-in space provides. Fortunately, most indoor cat tents either come with a soft bed inside or have enough room inside to allow you to add bedding yourself.
Some tents are also great for use outdoors. Some can be used to keep an indoor cat contained while also letting them experience the world outside while others are intended to be left up to provide shelter for a cat that spends time outside. Some cat tents for outdoor cats even have heaters to help keep outdoor cats toasty when the weather is anything but. A cat tent can also be a great addition to a larger outdoor cat enclosure to provide some extra shelter and privacy, especially when it’s cooler outside.
Important Features to Consider
A cat tent should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a tent for your cat:
- Interior size. If you have multiple cats, they may each want a space of their own or, if they’re buddies, they may want to be able to cuddle up together inside the tent. Make sure there’s enough room for your cat to be comfortable, but a single cat may feel less cozy with too much extra space.
- Exterior size. You also don’t want to have a cat tent that’s so large that it gets in the way of you using your home. Think about where you’ll probably be putting the tent and measure the space to make sure you get a tent that’s a good size.
- Comfort. If your cat tent doesn’t have a soft bed that comes with it or is built into it, you should be able to put bedding in yourself. Cats have a higher body temperature than humans and therefore typically prefer to be warmer than we do, so it’s great for a cat tent to provide some insulation to keep the inside cozy warm.
- Washability. You want to regularly clean any bedding your cat uses, including their tents. Some can just be thrown directly into the wash, some will need to be disassembled and have certain pieces removed first, and others will require spot treatment by hand. Fortunately, many that require spot treating have beds inside that can at least be removed and machine washed. Figure out how much work you’re willing to put into washing the tent before picking one with care instructions that require more than you want to do.
- Indoor or outdoor use. If you plan on using the cat tent outdoors, you’ll need to make sure it’s durable enough to do so, especially if you want to be able to leave it outside for longer periods of time. Outdoor cat tents should provide shade and, if they’re supposed to be shelters for indoor cats, they should provide shelter from rain, wind, and snow as well.
- Doors. If you want to use the tent as an enclosure for your cat, you’ll, of course, want to make sure that your tent has doors that can be secured closed. Otherwise, it’s a matter of choosing a tent with doors that will suit your cat’s preferences. Some cats may want doors that have flaps or similar to give them more privacy within the tent while others want to be able to see out the door so that they can keep an eye on their surroundings. In addition, some cats may feel cornered in a tent that doesn’t have multiple doors. If you’re not sure, you can try to guess what your cat will prefer by looking at where they like to nap hang out right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cat tent?
“Cat tent” is a somewhat loose term the describes a variety of enclosed shelters that are intended to provide a place for your cat to spend time. Larger ones resemble cat playpens, while smaller ones are more like a covered cat bed.
How do you make a cat tent?
You can make a tent of your own by creating a wire frame out of old hangers and covering it with fabric. Old tee shirts are especially great for this since the fabric is soft, they smell like you, and the neck makes a convenient door that’s already reinforced. You can also create a hard-sided tent with cardboard. It’s easier to just buy a tent, though, and there are plenty of low-cost options so it’s not expensive to do so. Store-bought tents are also going to be more durable and longer-lasting than what most of us are able to make ourselves.
Do cats like to play in tents?
Many cats enjoy playing in tents. Some, for example, like to hide in theirs and jump out at whoever passes by. They may also sometimes like to bring a toy in to play with. Some tents are actually made with features that encourage play, like crinkly textures, tunnel extensions, or toys hanging from the roof.
Where should I put a cat tent?
Cats generally want a calm, quiet place to sleep, so that’s the sort of place you’ll probably want to put a cat tent, especially as your cat gets used to the new addition to their surroundings. If your cat already has a favorite napping spot, they’ll most likely be happy to have the tent in that spot or nearby.
Other Cat Tents We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other cat tents. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best cat tents list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your cat. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Outdoor Cat Tents
EliteField 2-Door Soft Pet Playpen
This outdoor cat tent comes in a bunch of different colors and sizes to give you options for your cat’s outdoor experience.
Key Features:
- Removable floor mat and roof
- Plenty of accessory storage
- Available in eight sizes and eight colors
Cost: $45
This outdoor cat tent has two accessory pockets, a water bottle holder, two doors, and a removable top.
Key Features:
- 45″ diameter
- Plenty of accessory storage
- Available in six colors
Cost: $40
K&H Pet Products Outdoor Multi-Kitty A-Frame
With several features to protect from the elements, including a built-in heater, this cat tent makes a perfect refuge for outdoor cats during cold weather.
Key Features:
- Two exits with removable clear flaps
- Built-in heater
- Waterproof fabric
Cost: $75
Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen
This outdoor cat tent has a half mesh top, providing access to both shade and sunshine at the same time.
Key Features:
- Removable half mesh top
- Portable and collapsible
- Available in three sizes
Cost: $20
Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen
This outdoor cat tent comes with a bonus collapsible travel bowl and carrying case, making it great for taking on the go.
Key Features:
- Removable half mesh top
- Portable and collapsible
- Available in two sizes
Cost: $30
Zampa Portable Foldable Pet Playpen
This outdoor cat tent comes with four metal spikes to help keep it safely and securely affixed to the ground while in use.
Key Features:
- Removable mesh top
- Plenty of accessory storage
- Available in four sizes and four colors
Cat Tent Beds
Bedsure Pet Tent for Cats/Small Dogs
This cat tent bed can be used as either a tent or a lounger style bed.
Key Features:
- 2-in-1 design
- Removable cushion
- Available in two colors
Cost: $25
Hollypet Self-Warming 2 in 1 Foldable Cat Tent
With a flannel cover and artic velvet filling, this cat tent is perfect for all-season use.
Key Features:
- 2-in-1 design
- Removable cushion
- Attractive print
Cost: $15
Miss Meow Cat Tent with Removable Cushion
With three sizes and seven styles available, some configuration of this cat tent bed is sure to suit any home.
Key Features:
- 2-in-1 design
- Removable cushion
- Available in three sizes and seven styles
Cost: $25
Pet Tent Bed for Cat by Best Pet Supplies
This is another cat tent bed that comes in multiple sizes and several styles to suit all kinds of different needs.
Key Features:
- Removable cushion
- Machine washable
- Available in three sizes and eight styles
Cost: $20
This simple, minimalist cat tent bed is perfect for cats and owners who don’t need too many extra features.
Key Features:
- Removable cushion
- Minimalist design
- Available in four colors
Cost: $20
Sterling Premium Comfort Pet Bed
This cat tent bed is made from recycled materials, making it good for the environment as well as your cat.
Key Features:
- Removable, reversible cushion
- Made with a recycled fiber blend
- Available in two prints
Cat Tents with Tunnels
Kitty City Jungle Cat Cube Combo
This cat tent set includes two different styles of tents, plus a tube two attach them.
Key Features:
- Cute jungle style
- Three-piece set
- Perfect for sleep and play
Cost: $25
Outback Jack Outdoor Cat Enclosure Kitty Compound Playhouse
This cat tent and tube set can be attached to other Outback Jack tunnels and tents to give your cat more space.
Key Features:
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Mesh to provide 360-degree visibility
- Lightweight, portable, and easy to set up and take down
Cost: $70
PAWISE Cat Toys Cat Tunnel and Cat Cube
This set includes a square tent and a 35-inch long tunnel, plus a zipper carry bag for storage and travel.
Key Features:
- Includes tent, tunnel, and carry bag
- Made from durable polyester and steel
- Pop-up, collapsible design
Cost: $15
Paws & Pals Cat Bed 2-in-1 Fleece Tunnel
35 inches long and with openings on both ends, this tent is both a tube and tent in one.
Key Features:
- Soft, plush inner lining
- Reflective layer to trap heat inside
- Zips open for easy access to the inside of the tent
Teepee Style Cat Tents
Arkmiido Pet Tent Teepee with Cushion
This cat tent has a teepee style and a chevron print for a cute, trendy addition to your home that you and your cat will both love.
Key Features:
- Removable cushion
- Wooden toggles to hold doors open
- Available in black & white and green & white chevron prints
Cost: $40
This teepee-style cat tent has lacey fabric doors for an elegant, whimsical style.
Key Features:
- Machine washable
- Wooden toggles to hold doors open
- Available in two sizes
Cost: $60
Little Dove makes a bunch of different teepee style tents for both pets and children, and this one is one of our favorites.
Key Features:
- Lace doors with wooden toggles
- Comes with chalkboard sign accessory
- Available with or without cushion
Cost: $55
With a crinkle-style nylon and a hanging feather toy, this cat tent encourages play as well as rest.
Key Features:
- Crinkle nylon and hanging feather toy
- Flap-style doors for privacy
- Tubes made from recycled plastic
Cost: $10
