Cats love the outdoors, but the weather isn’t always friendly to them. Precipitation and cold can both be real threats to a cat’s comfort and health. Whether you’re worried about your own cat while they’re outside or about the safety of your neighborhood strays, you can help by providing a safe, warm, and dry escape for them in the form of an outdoor cat house.
We reviewed dozens of outdoor cat houses to identify the best of the best, considering things like size, warmth, weatherproofing, and more to narrow down your options.
Our top pick is the CozyCatFurniture Large Outdoor Cat House. It’s waterproof and insulated to keep the weather out, and it has stilts to keep the cat house off the cold ground and prevent flooding. The platform on the top provides additional protection from the elements, as well as a lookout for cats to survey the area around the cat house.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Outdoor Cat Houses
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Outdoor Cat House Overall | CozyCatFurniture Large Outdoor Cat House | 4.9 |
| Best Insulated Outdoor Cat House | CozyCatFurniture Outdoor Cat House | 4.7 |
| Best Budget Outdoor Cat House | K&H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House Extra-Wide | 4.6 |
| Best Waterproof Outdoor Cat House | New Age Pet ecoFLEX Albany Outdoor Feral Cat House | 4.6 |
| Best Heated Outdoor Cat House | PETYELLA Cat Houses for Outdoor Cats | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Outdoor Cat House Overall: CozyCatFurniture Large Outdoor Cat House
The best outdoor cat house that you can get is the CozyCatFurniture Large Outdoor Cat House. It has a simple design that meshes well with any home and yard or garden, but it also has all the features that you need to keep your cat safe, warm, and dry. It’s made from cedar, which makes it durable and resilient so your cat can continue to use this cat house for years and years to come. The inside of the cat house is lined with half-inch thick thermal ply insulation and it’s large enough for multiple cats. The interior dimensions are 19″x18″ with about 20 inches of height.
The house itself is built on top of a stilted platform that extends about 9 inches out from the house’s front (and only) door, positioning the cat house high enough to keep out any pooling water around it and allowing your cat to get a good look around for any dangers before they move too far away from the safety of the cat house. There’s an additional platform over the top of the cat house that allows cats to step out the door without immediately coming into contact with any precipitation, helps trap heat in the cat house, and provides an additional, even more elevated, lookout for cats to survey for dangers or just lounge in the sun. It also shields the door from precipitation that could come in at an angle, since the door isn’t covered by a flap or other barrier. However, CozyCatFurniture also sells an easy to add vinyl door flap that can provide additional protection from precipitation as well as prevent heat from escaping out the door, as well as a back door that you can add to provide your cat with an additional entry and exit point.
CozyCatFurniture Large Outdoor Cat House Key Features:
- Waterproof
- 1/2″ thick thermal ply insulation
- Top platform to shields door, traps heat, and provides an elevated lounge space for cats
- Made from durable, long-lasting cedar
- 16″ stilts
- Large enough for multiple cats
Best Insulated Outdoor Cat House: CozyCatFurniture Outdoor Cat House
Our top insulated outdoor cat house (aside from our top pick, of course) is also from CozyCatFurniture and, in fact, as virtually identical to the outdoor cat house we just talked about. The CozyCatFurniture Outdoor Cat House has the same half-inch thermal ply insulation, is also waterproof, and is made from cedar. It also allows you to add an additional door or cat flaps and even uses the same ones as our top pick.
There are really only two differences in the products themselves. First, while this cat house is also built on a platform with 16-inch stilts, it does not have the additional upper platform over the top of the cat house, so the door isn’t as protected from precipitation. For this reason, we definitely recommend getting the vinyl door flap to trap heat while also keeping wind and moisture out. Cats could still use the roof as a perch, but they likely won’t find it as comfortable as they would the platform. The other major difference between this outdoor cat house and our top pick is the size. With interior dimensions of 14″x13″, this outdoor cat house is better for a single cat, especially since the smaller space requires them to expend less body heat to warm the space and even less so if you install the vinyl flap over the door to prevent heat from escaping.
This cat house is also a good bit cheaper, so remember to take the price difference into account and see if the savings are worth it, especially if you only have one cat.
CozyCatFurniture Outdoor Cat House Key Features:
- Waterproof
- 1/2″ thick thermal ply insulation
- Made from durable, long-lasting cedar
- 16″ stilts
- Sized for a single cat
Best Budget Outdoor Cat House: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House Extra-Wide
If you’re looking for something at a lower price point or just don’t want an outdoor cat house that’s quite so permanent, the K&H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House Extra-Wide is a great alternative to our first two picks. Thanks to the zipper and velcro fasteners, it’s easy to assemble but can also be disassembled and folded flat for easy storage while not in use or to take with you when moving homes. It’s constructed from 600 denier nylon, which makes it water-resistant and helps offer protection from the wind. Removable clear door flaps and the roof’s overhang offer additional protection and allow your cat to look out for threats and the two doorways allow your cat to quickly escape. The large size of this cat house makes it great for larger cats, two companionable cats, or placing additional items that your cat may need or want access to, like food, water, or a litter box.
The K&H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House Extra-Wide comes in two options, but the only difference between the two is that one includes a heating pad and the other does not. We like the version that includes a heating pad, but if you live in a warmer climate or already have a heating pad that will fit, you can save a few bucks by selecting the unheated version. The heated version only heats part of the floor, allowing cats to move away if they begin to overheat without having to abandon their shelter entirely. K&H Pet Products also makes a smaller version that’s on our “best of the rest” list below that will fit a single cat.
K&H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House Extra-Wide Key Features:
- Large size
- Constructed from water-resistant nylon
- Two doorways
- Removable clear door flaps
- Available with or without a heating pad
Best Waterproof Outdoor Cat House: New Age Pet ecoFLEX Albany Outdoor Feral Cat House
If your top concern is protecting your cat from water, the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Albany Outdoor Feral Cat House is an excellent option for you. It’s made from ecoFlex a plastic-wood polymer composite. EcoFLEX is completely waterproof and windproof and won’t rot, split, splinter, warp, or crack. It’s also incredibly easy to clean: just spray it down with your hose or wipe it clean with a damp rag. Basically, this thing will last you for a long, long time in more or less the same shape you got it in. And if that turns out not to be the case, it’s backed by a 10-year warranty.
The walls are double paneled for insulation, but at just under 17 inches square, it’s large enough that you could also add additional insulation if needed. You’ll probably want to provide at least a soft bed to make it more comfortable. The two doorways, one to the front and one to the side, are each covered by a clear flap to keep the elements out. This cat house is also slightly raised to keep it above pooling water and away from the cold ground, and the doors are positioned above the floor to provide additional protection from flooding.
New Age Pet ecoFLEX Albany Outdoor Feral Cat House Key Features:
- Waterproof
- Highly durable and long-lasting
- Simple, tool-free assembly
- Two doorways with clear door flaps
- Double panel walls for insulation
Best Heated Outdoor Cat House: PETYELLA Cat Houses for Outdoor Cats
If the cold is your primary concern, rather than wetness, PETYELLA Cat Houses for Outdoor Cats are an excellent option. This cat house comes with a soft heated pad that covers the bottom and has a meter of chew-proof cord, plus an additional four-meter extension cord. It also includes a plug-in timer so that you can set the pad to turn off after a certain period, though the heated pad can be used without it if you’d like the bed to provide heat all the time.
However, this heated outdoor cat shelter isn’t the best for standing up to precipitation. While the bottom of the cat shelter is waterproof and the door is protected by a clear flap, the top and sides of the shelter are merely water-resistant, not waterproof. Now that’s generally going to be good enough for a light drizzle, it won’t stand up to heavy rain or snow, which especially poses a problem when the weather is cold since the added wetness makes it harder for your cat to stay warm. It’s best, therefore, to use this outdoor cat house under a covered area, such as on or under a porch or deck, under a pavilion or gazebo, or in a shed or barn. However, PETYELLA warns against using it under stairs.
These cat houses come in a few different prints. In addition to the one styled after a house with blue siding linked above, PETYELLA Cat Houses for Outdoor Cats come in a design that resembles a wooden house and a design that resembles a blue painted brick house.
PETYELLA Cat Houses for Outdoor Cats Key Features:
- Heated bed
- Plug-in timer
- Chew-proof cord
- Extension cord
- Water-resistant
- Multiple print patterns
Who Should Buy an Outdoor Cat House
Outdoor cat houses are essential for anyone who owns an outdoor cat since access to a warm, dry shelter is essential for any outdoor cat. An outdoor cat house allows cats to get the benefits of the stimulation and enrichment that the outdoors has to offer while also helping keep them safe and healthy, protected from the elements and other animals.
You may also want to get an outdoor cat if you live in an area with stray or feral cats, even if you don’t have any outdoor cats yourself. Strays and ferals get all the same benefits from an outdoor cat shelter that an outdoor pet cat would get, and the presence of a safe shelter may encourage strays or ferals to hang around, making it easier for you to keep an eye on them and intervene if they become obviously sick or injured while still allowing them to live the outdoor lifestyle that they feel safe and comfortable with.
If you want to take your cat on a walk, even outdoor cats can sometimes have trouble sticking close to you. If you plan to walk with him, you won’t want to overlook The Best Cat Harnesses.
Important Features to Consider
An outdoor cat house should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting an outdoor cat house:
- Size. An outdoor cat house should be large enough for your cat to comfortably turn around in, but you don’t want one that’s excessively large as that’s harder to warm up and keep warm. If you have multiple cats that get along and will frequently want to access the shelter at the same time, you could get a cat house that’s large enough for them to share which also allows them to heat up the space together. On the other hand, if you’re caring for multiple cats that don’t get along or may not want to use a cat house at the same time all the time, you may be better suited with multiple smaller houses so they can all seek their own shelter when necessary.
- Warmth. Outdoor cat houses can keep your cat warm in two different ways. One way is to provide heat with a space heater or heated bedding. The other way is with insulation that traps the heat produced by the cat’s body once it’s inside. The materials from which an outdoor cat house is made may be naturally insulating or there may be added insulation that comes with the house. In addition, you may be able to add additional insulation yourself. At the very least, you generally want your cat’s outdoor cat house to have a bed or other material for nesting, like straw.
- Weatherproofing. A good outdoor cat house will keep out the elements like wind and rain, but it also won’t flood. However, the amount of weatherproofing that’s necessary depends on where you plan on placing the cat house. For example, if it’s under a covered patio then keeping rain out isn’t as important and the patio’s drainage will determine how essential flood-proofing is. In addition, a cat house should be made out of durable materials that won’t be quickly or easily damaged when outdoors.
- Entrances and exits. In addition to keeping your cat warm and dry, an outdoor cat house also needs to keep threats like predators out. Some houses have doors that are configured in such a way that larger animals can’t enter, while others have two exits to allow cats to escape out one door if a threat comes through the other. In addition, the presence of two doors can help cats feel safe in the shelter and encourage them to use it, since they won’t feel cornered like they might in a cat house with one door since they actually aren’t. On the other hand, if you’re planning on placing your cat’s house somewhere you know to be secure, like a catio or screened-in porch with a cat flap, you may not need to worry too much about threats entering the cat house at all.
- Cleaning. You’ll want to clean your outdoor cat house every so often to ensure that it continues to be a comfortable place for your cats and to ensure that it lasts for as long as possible. Some cat houses have roofs that lift off for easy access inside or bottoms that are trays that slide out for easy cleaning. Ideally, any fabric elements should be machine washable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an outdoor cat house?
An outdoor cat house is exactly what it sounds like: a shelter for cats that is placed outside. It provides a warm, dry, and safe place for outdoor cats. There are tons of options to choose from in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, but having one of any kind is essential if you have an outdoor cat. You can also place one in your yard for ferals or strays, even if you don’t have an outdoor cat of your own.
How do you take care of an outdoor cat?Â
For cats, being outdoors comes with certain risks, so it’s safest to keep cats indoors. However, if a cat must be outside, such as if you’re caring for a feral cat, there are certain things you can do to keep them safe. For one, make sure they have access to the basics, like shelter, food, and water. Next, limit their exposure to risks. Do not declaw an outdoor cat, as their claws are an essential tool for self-defense. Spay or neuter them to minimize the risk of catfights, roaming, and pregnancy. At the same time, get the cat microchipped so that you can be contacted if they wander too far or are injured, and make sure that the information is always up to date. In addition, make sure the cat is fully vaccinated in order to prevent disease and avoid keeping potential toxins where they can be accessed, including chemicals but also toxic plants.
If possible, limiting outdoor cats to a fenced area where you have more control over their movement and the dangers that they come in contact with is ideal, but we all know that cats are determined and creative escape artists, so this isn’t possible in all situations.
Are stray cats happier outside?
Truly feral cats are indeed happier outdoors. They are nervous around people and are not adoptable. Being forced indoors by humans makes feral cats anxious and can lead them to hurt themselves or the people and animals around them in an attempt to escape. Feral cats have become part of their ecosystem. They are accustom to living outdoors and have learned the skills necessary to survive outside full time. In these cases, (in addition to contacting a TNR program) the best thing you can do is make sure they have access to a safe, warm shelter and, if it frequently drops below freezing where you live, liquid water in a heated bowl.
However, not all strays are feral. If a cat is accustomed to and unafraid of people but has been abandoned outdoors to fend for itself, it’s typically best for its safety and happiness for it to be brought indoors.
How cold can outdoor cats tolerate?
A cat that also spends time indoors shouldn’t be out if the average daily temperature is less than 45°F. That is average, so if it’s in the upper 50s all day and just dips a bit below 45° at night, your cat should still be alright. However, kittens, elderly cats, and sick cats should never be allowed outside if the temperature is less than 45º, regardless of the daily average. In addition, outdoor cats should always have access to safe, warm, dry shelter, especially if the temperature drops below freezing. A heated water bowl is also a good idea to ensure constant access to water, essential for cats to regulate their body temperature and generally keep healthy.
Other Outdoor Cat Houses We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other outdoor cat houses. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best outdoor cat houses 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.
Insulated Outdoor Cat Houses
Kitty Tube The Outdoor Cat House with Pet Pillow
Kitty Tube is probably the biggest name in simple, no frills outdoor cat houses that also do a great job keeping cats warm and dry.
Key Features:
- Comes with a machine washable bed
- Foam insulation lines the floor and walls
- Awning and removable clear flap over predator-proof door
- Hand grips also have awnings and are adjustable to allow for ventilation in the summer
- Room for up to two cats
- Elevated floor with drainage system and vented top to allow moisture to escape
Cost: $190
Kitty Tube The Outdoor Insulated Cat House with Straw
Instead of foam and a pet bed, this version of the Kitty Tube uses straw, a great option for ferals since it can just be swapped out rather than needing cleaning.
Key Features:
- Straw insulation
- Awning and removable clear flap over predator-proof door
- Hand grips also have awnings and are adjustable to allow for ventilation in the summer
- Room for up to three cats
- Elevated floor with drainage system and vented top to allow moisture to escape
Cost: $145
Outdoor Cat House by Pet Peppy
This cat house has a self-heating pad on the floor that reflects your pet’s body heat back into the cat house instead of absorbing it.
Key Features:
- Self-heating pet bed
- Two doors for safety
- Made from durable, rugged nylon
- Removable covers are machine washable
Cost: $40
Trixie Pet Products Insulated Cat Home
The Trixie Pet Products Insulated Cat Home is a more decorative option for those who want an outdoor cat house that adds to their yard or garden’s appearance.
Key Features:
- Three entry points, each with a solid door
- Raised off the ground to prevent flooding
- Textured ramp for convenient access
- Insulated to keep cats warm
Waterproof Outdoor Cat Houses
Locking casters make this outdoor cat house easy to move despite its larger size.
Key Features:
- Two floors with interior ramp for moving between floors
- Three possible entrances/exits, each with a door or awning to keep precipitation out
- Window on front of the upper floor allows cats to see approaching threats
- Large side door and liftable lid for easy access for cleaning
- Two brake casters and two normal casters
Cost: $100
Petmate Kitty Kat Condo Outdoor Cat House
The rounded top of this igloo-shaped cat house redirects snow and rain from the top of the cat house.
Key Features:
- Carpeted floor for insulation and scratching
- Non-porous plastic for easy cleaning, to prevent mold growth, and to discourage parasites
- Tray style floor keeps water out and easily snaps to top for easy assembly
Cost: $75
Petsfit 2-Story Weatherproof Outdoor Kitty Cat House
This large cat house has rooms for two to three cats or a cat and other items like a litter box, bedding, and food and water dishes.
Key Features:
- Two doors, one with a door flap and one with an awning
- Interior hole allows access between floors
- Large window on the front allows cats to see out from the upper floor
- Top lifts for easy cleaning
Cost: $130
This large outdoor cat house has ample space to fit up to five cats with two interior spaces as well as additional covered open-air spaces.
Key Features:
- Bottom interior space with three entrances/exits
- Additional upper interior space with a single entrance and access to an upper deck area
- Top can be opened for easy cleaning
- Pre-drilled holes for easy assembly
Cost: $220
Petsfit Outdoor Cat House with Escape Door and Scratching Pad
This outdoor cat house provides an enclosed space for shelter from cold weather and a covered level for shelter from precipitation when the weather is warm.
Key Features:
- Upper-level access ramp is also a scratching pad
- Open-air and enclosed areas for all weather conditions
- Available in grey or wine red
- Pre-drilled holes for easy assembly
Cost: $130
Petsfit Outdoor Cat House with Escape Door and Stairs
This outdoor cat house is the same as the last one, but with stairs to the upper level rather than a ramp.
Key Features:
- Stairs for access to the upper level
- Open-air and enclosed areas for all weather conditions
- Available in grey or wine red
- Pre-drilled holes for easy assembly
Cost: $140
Petsfit Outdoor Triangle Cat House
This outdoor cat house is a simple and budget-friendly, yet still attractive, solution for a single cat.
Key Features:
- Front and back access doors
- Awning over the front door and acrylic flap protecting the back door
- Vented, but may need to be lifted and have insulation added
- Available in grey, wine red, unfinished, and grey and green stripes
Cost: $75
Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Cat Shelter
This adorable outdoor cat house has a container on the side that can be used as a planter or to hold weather-safe cat items.
Key Features:
- Front and back doors: the front has an awning and the back has an acrylic flap
- Paw shaped cut outs for ventilation
- Lifted to keep water out
- Planter on the side
Cost: $140
Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop
Though designed as a chicken coop, the Petsfir Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop also makes a great open outdoor cat house with room for multiple cats or for additional supplies like a litter box, ample bedding, and food and water bowls.
Key Features:
- Three floor panels lift out for easy cleaning
- Two front doors, both of which can be secured shut
- Side section is separated from the rest of the coop and has a lid that opens, making it great for placing a litter box
- Available in grey or red
Cost: $170
Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Pet House
This outdoor cat house is another small solution for single cats, but unlike others, the roof lifts open for easier interior access.
Key Features:
- Single door that can be secured shut
- Lifted to keep out water
- Vented floor for air circulation in the summer
- Roof lifts open
- Available in grey as well as green and gray striped
Cost: $75
This two-story outdoor cat house has individually adjustable feet, making it great for use on uneven surfaces.
Key Features:
- Front and side doors, each with an awning and vinyl door flap
- Side window with a cutout for ventilation
- Bottom and middle floors slide out for easy cleaning
- Available in wine red, blue, and grey
Cost: $150
This outdoor cat house has a covered open area on top and a snug, cozy enclosed area underneath.
Key Features:
- Covered exterior stair access to the top floor
- Lifted to prevent flooding
- Awning shields the door from precipitation
- Easy assembly
Heated Outdoor Cat Houses
Extreme Consumer Products Collapsible Outdoor Cat House
This heated outdoor cat house is easy to assemble but can also be easily disassembled and stored flat when it’s not needed.
Key Features:
- Two doors, each with a flap
- Bed heats to 102ºF, roughly the body temperature of a cat
- Easy to assemble/disassemble and can be stored flat
- Easy spot cleaning
Cost: $50
K&H Pet Products Mod Thermo-Kitty Shelter
This heated outdoor cat house is compact enough to be placed inside many hard-sided outdoor cat houses to provide heat and additional insulation.
Key Features:
- Simple zipper assembly
- Available in gray and tan
- Removable fleece cover over the heated bed
- Only half the floor is heated so the cat can move off without leaving the shelter if it gets too warm
Cost: $70
K&H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House
This heated outdoor cat house is soft-sided but made from 600 denier vinyl for waterproofness.
Key Features:
- Two exits, each with a vinyl flap
- Simple zipper and velcro assembly
- Waterproof
- Roof extends to the front and back to provide additional shielding for the doors
Cost: $70
K&H Pet Products Outdoor Multi-Kitty A-Frame
The K&H Pet Products Outdoor Multi-Kitty A-Frame is a larger option that has room for up to four cats on the heated pad.
Key Features:
- Two exits, each with a vinyl flap
- Easy assembly with hook and loop fasteners
- Roof extends to the front and back to provide additional shielding for the doors
- Great for multiple cats
- Made from waterproof fabric
Cost: $65
