The Best Cat Houses

Whether you have an indoor-only cat or one that loves to venture into the great outdoors, sometimes felines need their own place to retreat to. This is especially true if you have other animals in your home or live in an area that gets frigid cold or wet weather. 

To ensure you’re cat stays warm, has fun, and keeps a feeling of independence, we’ve found the best cat houses on the market. Luckily, the real estate market for your furry friend is much more affordable than it is for us humans. 

Be it for your pet’s amusement or for wild cats, these houses are especially relaxing when used for leisure or as a shelter outside. The materials utilized in the building of cat homes range from plastics to metal to composite fabrics and even wood and are chosen by the intended function of the cat house. 

We give some suggestions and tactics in this post to assist readers in picking the best option that meets their needs. 

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Cat Houses

#1 Best Overall: K&H Pet Products Heated Cat House 

From our research, we’ve found that the best cat house is the K&H Pet Products Heated Cat House.

As you can tell by the name, this cat house is heated; making it the perfect option if your cat loves to spend time outdoors. The heating element comes from a fitted MET safety-listed heating pad that’s lined with fleece for your cat’s comfort. This pad is removable and the fleece cover is machine washable. However, this mini home must be connected to an electric outlet to use the heating fixture, which may not be the best option if you live somewhere that has a lot of power outages. This cat house is not waterproof or insulated, so keep it in a covered area such as a from porch or garage. However, it is suitable for indoor use too.

Two cats can comfortably fit inside and cuddle up to one another. The cat house itself is incredibly simple to set up and is designed with vinyl-backed nylon. It’s lightweight and the removable zippered roof makes it easy to clean. 

Pros and Cons of the K&H Pet Products Heated Cat House 

Best Overall

K&H Pet Products Heated Cat House

• Heated housing structure keeps cats warm and toasty
• Heating pad is fleece-lined for maximum softness and comfort
• Various colors and patterns available
• Requires access to electric outlet
• Fits up to two cats

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2. Best Value: Petique Bunglow Eco Cat House

If you don’t want to break the bank when finding a place for your cat to hang out, consider the Petique Bunglow Eco Cat House.

Firstly, something important to note is that Amazon offers a variety of styles, while Chewy has one. 

This bungalow provides just what your kitty needs for a private place to relax. The exterior is designed with reinforced cardboard. We understand that hearing a cat house is made with cardboard might have you swiping to the next option, but the cardboard used to design this unique cat house is reinforced, compostable, and completely recyclable. This is a great choice for someone who’s conscious about their environmental impact and has a calm cat that just needs a place to get away. 

It comes with two scratchboards and each has a scratching post so there’s always somewhere for your cat to scratch and play. Plus, one of the best features of this house is that it’s incredibly easy to put together and requires no tools at all. The cardboard makes it lightweight and easy to move from one room to another.

However, keep in mind that this house is not waterproof and shouldn’t be used outdoors. Also, some pet parents have reported that it is not very durable and their cats managed to cause significant damage to it within a year of use.

Pros and Cons of the Petique Bunglow Eco Cat House

Best Value

Petique Bungalow Eco Cat House

• Affordable pricetag compared to competitors
• Several styles available (on Amazon only)
• Reinforced cardboard construction
• Compostable and recyclable materials
• Two scratching posts for maximum entertainment

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3. Best for Multiple Cats: Kitty City Outdoor Cabin Cat House

Do you have two cats that need a cute house where they can both kick back and have some alone time? If that’s the case then we recommend the Kitty City Outdoor Cabin Cat House.

This cat house can be placed inside or outside of your home. The double-layered insulation walls make it warm all year round. One of the best features is that the exterior fabric is water-resistant to protect kitties from rain or cold.  It also features two exits which have clear door flaps. These flaps are removable so it’s ideal if your cat prefers a more open space to relax in.

This house takes just seconds to set up and can easily be folded for storage when not in use. The exterior is designed like a cabin getaway, complete with a “gone fishing” sign and faux windows that reflect a pond. 

Unfortunately, as this house is lightweight it is not particularly sturdy. Also, as it is not heated it is best to place it in a sheltered spot if you plan on using it outdoors.

Pros and Cons of the Kitty City Outdoor Cabin Cat House

Best for Multiple Cats

Kitty City Outdoor Cabin

• Double-layer insulation keeps cats warm
• Great for indoors or out
• Water-resistant fabric keeps cats dry
• Folds up for storage when not in use
• Can be stacked

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4. Best for Travel: Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Cat Playpen

The last kitty cat house we’ve found is great for travel and the Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen is great for cats of all ages to enjoy!

This is the perfect inside option for kittens or an outdoor choice for cats wanting some fresh air. As you can tell by the name, this is a collapsible cat house that takes just seconds to set up or take down. It easily and conveniently folds for storage or travel. One of the best features of this cat house is the zippered top and door that can easily be left open or closed, depending on the needs of your cat. 

Despite the thin material, this is a surprisingly sturdy spot for felines to relax or play. It’s completely water-resistant, the seams are protected and the corners are reinforced. The eight-panel design provides a roomy space for your cat to roam. It can also fit multiple cats comfortably. 

However, customers have reported that the bottom is not waterproof which can be an issue if your pet spills their water bowl.

Pros and Cons of the Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Cat Playpen

Best for Travel

Ruff 'n Ruffus Portable Foldable Cat Playpen

• Perfect for traveling cats
• Portable, foldable playpen sets up in seconds
• Use indoors or out
• Water-resistant material with protected, reinforced seams

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When you’re shopping around for the best cat house for your feline friend, there is a lot to keep in mind. You’ll want to consider the size of your cat, how much you’re willing to spend, how many cats you have, where you’re wanting to put the house, and more. 

Will you put the home near the yard, on a patio, in a shed, or in a specific outside enclosure that provides further protection? The use of heating and weather protection will be crucial. You’ll need a cat teepee that’s simple to assemble and maintain, so explore the characteristics listed below while looking for the finest cat house for your furry companions.

Size

Most cats will fit in single cat homes, but if your cat is larger than usual, you would need someplace larger. Your cat ought to be able to spin around it freely. Also, bear in mind that if the house is too big, it will need longer to adjust to temperature changes and stay warm. 

Look for a cat condo with ample space for two or more kitties if you have several cats who get along and sleep together indoors. If you’re hunting for a place for many wild cats or house cats who aren’t great buddies, you might want to explore purchasing multiple kitty homes.

Insulation

Insulation comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. On colder days, some dwellings are equipped with heated pads or sleeping mats. If you buy a house that doesn’t come with a heating pad, you may buy one individually. Place these homes in a dry, safe location if they aren’t waterproof.  

Some structures feature padding insulated fabric to keep the heat in, and several materials, such as wood, are natural insulators. Nevertheless, adding warmth, such as a bed, blankets, or other insulation, such as straw for nesting, during the winter months is a smart idea.

Weatherproofing

For those who will utilize cat shelters on wet and snowy days, it’s ideal to put them in a dry, protected position, such as a deck, a garage, or a porch. Materials and structure, in addition to a cover, play an important role in weatherproofing. Wood, plastic, and textile are the most common materials for cat homes. 

The weatherproofing of a wood home is imperative. It shields animals from the elements such as precipitation, wind, snow, and excessive heat. Many wood houses have scratchpad roofs, which provide additional weather protection. Wood, on the other hand, is susceptible to decay if exposed to water for an extended period of time.

Plastic has strong wind-blocking capabilities, but it doesn’t emit much heat in the wintertime. If you’re going to utilize a plastic house, you’ll want to include a heating pad or cat bed for when it gets chilly. 

In direct rain, cloth, even water-resistant fabric, isn’t great and can rapidly become drenched. When put beneath a porch or in a garage, most fabric homes come with warmers, which are an ideal alternative for offering a warm and inviting room in cold weather. 

A home that is raised above the ground will also dry faster and retain heat better. 

Assembly

Every outdoor cat house will likely need assembling, so search for one that does not demand a bachelor’s degree in engineering. There are snap-together plastic and wood houses, as well as those that require screws. 

As you read earlier, some cat houses even pop up in seconds. To make installation easier, some houses include pre-drilled screw holes. 

Zippers are commonly seen on fabric cat homes. They’re usually simple to set up. Before you buy, look over the product specifics to get a sense of the commitment you’ll be making when it comes to assembly. 

Cleaning and Maintenance

​​The home will eventually need to be washed, thus disassembly or easy access will be required. The cat will be more comfortable and healthier if the house is kept clean and there are no pests or other toxins in the house that might hurt him. 

Doors in wood homes may open to offer access to the interior for washing. Some of them also have easy-to-clean slide-out flooring. Plastic dwellings can be sprayed with water and most fabric dwellings can be spot cleaned. 

Some heating pad covers could be machine washed but check the directions first before cleaning the heating pad. In direct sunshine, plastic buildings can deteriorate. After a few years, wood structures will require upkeep, such as a fresh coat of paint. Also, a cloth house may not be the best option if your cats like to scratch.

The Different Types of Cat Houses: Pros and Cons Compared

Since there are several types of cat houses, we’ll go over the main pros and cons of each style. This can give you a better idea of which one will work best for your feline friend. 

• Cat Teepee: This is a great choice if you’re looking for something aesthetically pleasing to the inside of your home. Teepees can fit most cats and are often made with cozy materials. However, they can be challenging to put together. 
• Cat Condos: Cat condos are usually made with higher-quality materials, such as wood. They’re spacious and are great for multiple cats. These tend to be the pricier style of cat homes. 
• Pop-Up Cat Houses: Assembly couldn’t be easier with this type because it’s essentially non-existent. Pop-up cat houses are great for travel but may not be the sturdiest option available. 
• Furniture Cat Homes: This style of cat house is used for pet owners that want their cat’s space to blend in with their home. Furniture cat homes double as coffee tables, bedside tables, and more. 

Up Next

• The Best Cat Beds: Reviewed and Ranked — Find the very best cat bed to go in your cat house!
• The Best Indoor Cat Houses: Reviewed and Ranked — Check out the best indoor cat houses here.
• The Best Heated Outdoor Cat Houses — Keep your cat cozy and warm outdoors with an outdoor heated cat house.