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One of the important features that outdoor cat homes prominently specify is mechanisms for insulation and temperature control. In warmer climates, affordable wooden homes with some reliable rain protection can be excellent options. Homes designed to protect cats in colder climates, on the other hand, often feature a dense insulation system and even heating pads. Our favorite outdoor cat house is the Petsfit Cat House, with its weather-resistant, sturdy, and attractive triangular design. If you’re looking to house multiple cats, check out the Rockever Luxury Two Story Outdoor Cat Shelter with Escape Door Rainproof Outside Kitty House instead.
Keg A Tube & Kitty Tube LLC The Kitty Tube

The New Age Pet ECOFLEX Outdoor Cat House Shelter is the best overall outdoor cat house. It’s made from a durable material that’s long-lasting, even against the outdoor elements. It features two entry points so your cat always has an escape route.
Strange Places That Cats Hide: Olga’s Preferred Spots
In fact, we found it to be significantly smaller than most, even with the added balcony on top. The wood is somewhat lower quality than many other options on the market. “They tore open a door and threw products over the side of the building. This educational content is not veterinary advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified veterinarian. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Best Outdoor Cat Houses of 2024
Catios play an important role in the health of a California cat. When cats are always indoors, they are likely to become overweight and irritable. Outdoors cats impact the natural wildlife, and are put at risk of being lost, injured, or killed. Catios provide a safe space for cats to enjoy the outdoors without the risk of being lost or harmed. This enclosed playpen measures 28.75″ L x 20.5″ W x 25.75″ H and weighs 17 lbs.
What to look for in outdoor cat houses
She single-handedly designed, funded, and built The Cat House, and now oversees the running of the facility. Get a glimpse of San Francisco architecture from your own back porch! Featuring multiple entrances, the floor hole is an adorable way to slither into their home like the top spy your cat is convinced they moonlight as. The home includes a PVC curtain, glass windows, and a removable middle floorboard for cleaning. With various doors and windows to feel the wind blowing through their fur, this three-tiered wonder is perfect for rest and play. It is large enough to accommodate for a group of stray cats but be warned that they will never want to leave.
10 Best Outdoor Cat Houses of 2024 - Woman's Day
10 Best Outdoor Cat Houses of 2024.
Posted: Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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Online reviewers are split over how durable they feel this is, with some saying it's very sturdy and others saying they're not impressed. If you've got a family of kitties (and room outside for a cat house almost five feet tall), this multilevel shelter can keep a small colony warm and dry. Many of our customers have said their catio has made their lazy lackadaisical cat more upbeat and alert.
Therefore, it’s great for those who just want something simple and straightforward. It works, but it isn’t going to blow you away with any fancy features. Dr. Stephanie Ninnemann is a veterinarian at VCA Spring Creek Animal Hospital in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She is passionate about veterinary education in the community and hosts a weekly radio show on the topic at KJAX 93.5. Ninnemann helped us better understand the ideal sizing of cat houses. "The big benefit of the bin outdoor shelter style is that it's waterproof," Phillips says.
Pip-Skey's Foundation To Host Outdoor Cat Shelter Workshop - Jamestown Post Journal
Pip-Skey's Foundation To Host Outdoor Cat Shelter Workshop.
Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This catio features an asphalt roof (a feature Dr. Conrad recommends) to help keep the shelter protected from the sun or a light drizzle. There's room for jumping and playing, and space at the bottom for a litter box and a cat bed. Explore Habitat Haven's premium indoor cat tree collection, meticulously crafted for feline comfort and play.

Petsfit Four-Level Outdoor Cat House
According to the brand, its plastic-wood polymer composite is resistant to rot and warping and should not crack or attract bugs. We appreciate that you can simply rinse this house clean with a hose. And as always, we like that the house features more than one door — although both can be accessed from the outside as well as the inside, unlike a true escape door. For this story, our Good Housekeeping Institute pet product experts consulted veterinarian Megan Conrad, M.B.B.S., who works for Wellhaven Pet Health outside of Portland, Oregon. She shared her thoughts on the features that are worth paying extra for, including an escape door and high perches.
If you're looking for extra warmth during the coldest months of winter, we recommend The Kitty Tube Outdoor Cat House. It's made from durable recycled plastic and well insulated with foam and wheat straw. The next best thing is the Kitty Tube House, which is one of the best outdoor cat houses because of its insulated and weatherproof material. Although it's one of the pricier options on our list, it stands up to harsh conditions and is very easy to assemble. The interior, including the floor, is protected by foam insulation and comes with wheat straw to add up to two more layers of insulating bedding.
Your cat will purr with joy after sunbathing on the balcony of this cat house. A mini castle for your backyard, they'll prance around the cool, raised floor like the royalty they are. The nontoxic wood-and-metal frame are water-resistant so your cat can run for cover during rain showers.
There are heated cat houses, which are great for cold places but less great if you live in Texas! Some outdoor cat houses are extremely basic, and others have a plethora of features. "There should be plenty of room for the cat to stand and turn around but not too much room for them to get cold," says Ninnemann. The experts we interviewed recommend cat houses with a single door for added warmth. They also suggest outfitting the interior with straw, which won't retain moisture like cloth or wool. If you'd like to provide shelter from the cold and rain for a feral cat, this outdoor cat house could be a perfect home.
The size of houses can be a bit misleading based on the pictures. You might be surprised by how little or big a certain house is. This house is quite expensive, though, especially since it isn’t much larger than many other houses.
Therefore, many cats won’t use a house if it only has a single door. This means using only cat-safe materials, and the wood used shouldn’t contain tons of chemicals. Therefore, anything that they come into contact with could end up being ingested. Your cat doesn’t have to literally eat the wood to ingest any chemicals that are in it. However, durability can be complicated, as it’s affected by many different things. The size of cat house that you choose largely depends on the cats that you have.
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article. Whether you’re skilled with your DIY skills or just starting, there are plenty of plans here to suit all of us. Some of the designs are extremely clever and can easily be completed using some materials you might already have on-hand. Since 1990, Alley Cat Allies has led the movement to protect and improve the lives of ALL cats. Today, over 1 million supporters join us in our mission, and people worldwide look to Alley Cat Allies for leadership in humane, evidence-based programs for cats and kittens.