The Best Indoor Cat Houses: Reviewed and Ranked

Written by Liz Coleman
Updated: December 9, 2022
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Does your cat have their own space in your home? Most felines love to have their own private hideaway, and an indoor cat house gives your pet a designated spot to both rest and play. But, as you’ll see, cat houses can be as varied as cats themselves. So how do you choose the best indoor cat house for your furry pal? 

As with most pet products, you’ll find cat houses come in a range of styles and prices points. The indoor cat house that’s best for you will depend largely on your pet’s personal preferences and how you plan to use it. 

For design aficionados, there are furniture-grade cat condos that blend seamlessly into your home’s decor. Some models are heated, a definite plus for folks in colder climates. And others come with special bonuses like hanging catnip toys, scratching posts, and lookout balconies. (yup, you read that right.)

Lucky for you, our team has sorted through scores of cat houses to bring you the best in several categories. Your search for the best indoor cat house ends here.

  1. Bedsure Cat Beds for Indoor Cats
    • The cover is machine washable
    • Folds down easily for simple storage
    • Free hanging toy included
    • Includes a scratching board on the side
    Check Amazon
  2. Laifug Large Wooden Cat House
    • Made with non-toxic and odorless Chilean pine
    • The tall design is ideal for offering cats a functional vertical hangout
    • Multiple spaces for different kitty activities
    • Restrained “Scandi” style looks great in any home
    Check Amazon
  3. Kitty City Large Stackable Cat Condo
    • Completely customizable and stackable
    • Very easy to put together
    • Includes 4 plush polyester pillows
    • Have multiple entrances
    Check Amazon
  4. Lovupet 2-Story Wooden Luxurious Cat House
    • Suitable for both indoors and outdoors
    • Constructed with 100% fir wood
    • The hinged roof allows easy access
    • 1-year Manufacturer Warranty
    Check Amazon
  5. Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House
    • Includes an electric heating pad that can be removed in warmer months
    • Made with nylon waterproof fabric
    • ETL-certified power adapter
    • Machine-washable fleece cover
    Check Chewy
  6. MidWest Curious Cube Cat Condo
    • Top bed lined with synthetic sheepskin
    • Hanging toy for entertainment included
    • Collapsible and portable
    • “Hide-and-seek” cut-outs for added fun
    Check Chewy Check Amazon

#1 Best Overall: Bedsure Cat Bed for Indoor Cats

In our review, the overall best indoor cat house is the Bedsure Cat Bed for Indoor Cats.

This all-purpose cube offers the best of both worlds: a comfy interior offers cats privacy, while a top-level provides an interactive spot to observe their surroundings. This cat house comes with two cushions: one plush, soft pillow for the inside, and one firm pillow for the cube’s top level. A great feature is that the top cushion is reversible, offering a lightweight, breathable felt side for summer, and a thick sherpa side for winter. Other great additions are the scratching board on the side of the house and the free hanging toy that is included.

An entrance window of 8.5” is large enough to accommodate most cats, and the sturdy MDF frame can support pets up to 20 pounds. You’ll also have no worries if you’re short on space — this house folds down easily for simple storage (on the rare occasion you’re not using it).

The only drawback to this product that we could find is that it is a little small for larger cats.

Pros and Cons of the Bedsure Cat Bed for Indoor Cats

ProsCons
This cat house offers a cozy interior as well as a top level observation spot.It is a little small for larger cats.
It has two cushions — a soft, plush pillow for the interior and a firmer pillow for the top level.
The top cushion is reversible with breathable felt on one side and soft sherpa fleece on the other.
It features a scratching board on one side.
It comes with a free hanging toy.
Overall Best
Bedsure Cat Beds for Indoor Cats
  • The cover is machine washable
  • Folds down easily for simple storage
  • Free hanging toy included
  • Includes a scratching board on the side
Check Amazon

2. Best Luxury Choice: Laifug Large Wooden Cat House

For a cat house with a major wow factor, look no further than the Laifug Large Wooden Cat House.

This cat condo undoubtedly uses vertical space to its advantage. The tall design creates separate spaces for resting, playing, eating, and even going to the toilet. Size-wise, this villa is suitable for one to two cats. However, if you need more space then there’s also a jumbo version available with two doors and even more room for your furry friend(s)!

This cat house is made from non-toxic and odorless Chilean pine that lends a natural look to this posh condo. Plus,a transparent door lets you observe all the fun!

The attached wheels (with brakes) make it easy to move this cat house anywhere you please. However, for the less handy among us, installation could be a headache. A handful of reviewers reported confusing directions, mixed-up hardware, and undrilled holes. Yikes!

Pros and Cons of the Laifug Large Wooden Cat House

ProsCons
This luxury cat house offers separate areas for resting, playing, eating, and going to the toilet.Installation can be tricky with customers reporting confusing directions, undrilled holes, and mixed up hardware.
It is made from non-toxic and odorless Chilean pine.
It provides a living area suitable for one to two cats.
This cat house features attached wheels with brakes to allow it to be moved easily.
Best Luxury Choice
Laifug Large Wooden Cat House
  • Made with non-toxic and odorless Chilean pine
  • The tall design is ideal for offering cats a functional vertical hangout
  • Multiple spaces for different kitty activities
  • Restrained “Scandi” style looks great in any home
Check Amazon

3. Best for Multiple Cats: Kitty City Large Stackable Cat Condo

Round up your feline troupe — for owners with more than one cat we recommend the Kitty City Large Stackable Cat Condo.

This cat house features multiple entrances and several areas for your kitties to relax. It comes with four plush pillows and is super easy to put together. It’s equally simple to take down: just fold down the sturdy fabric walls when it’s time to store out of sight. The beauty of this indoor cat house is that it’s entirely customizable. To get the design you’re after, just stack additional cubes and/or beds (sold separately).

Owners of messy kitties will be happy to know both pillows and covers are removable and machine washable (but air dry only).

To keep rambunctious cats from toppling over a double-stacked condo, Kitty City recommends placing this house alongside a wall. Bonus points if you have a nearby window, where your cat can take in some “Kitty TV.”

Although this product has a lot going for it, some customers have found that it is not durable and the walls eventually warp — especially if it is used by larger cats.

Pros and Cons of the Kitty City Large Stackable Cat Condo

ProsCons
This cat house has multiple entrances.The walls can eventually warp — especially if it is used by larger cats.
It includes four plush pillows.
It is easily stackable with extra cubes (sold separately).
The pillows and covers are machine washable.
Best for Multiple Cats
Kitty City Large Stackable Cat Condo
  • Completely customizable and stackable
  • Very easy to put together
  • Includes 4 plush polyester pillows
  • Have multiple entrances
Check Amazon

4. Most Stylish: Lovupet 2-Story Wooden Luxurious Cat House

If you’re looking to inject some personality into your home then the stylish Lovupet 2-Story Wooden Luxurious Cat House should do the trick.

This two-story beauty is suitable for both indoors and outdoors and is constructed with 100% fir wood with an asphalt roof. There’s also a transparent canopy where curious critters can observe the world, plus the hinged roof allows easy access so you can keep things clean.

Lovupet offers a one year warranty, during which time the company will replace any defective parts. Assembly should take 20 to 30 minutes, and Lovupet considers it a 2-person job. (you’ve been warned!)

One potential downside is that while there’s no denying this home’s cute factor, it’s not exactly the most comfortable house we’ve seen. Luckily, that’s an easy fix: you can cozy things up with extra cushions, pillows, and padding.

Pros and Cons of the Lovupet 2-Story Wooden Luxurious Cat House

ProsCons
This cat house is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.It does not come with any extra padding or cushions.
It is constructed from 100% fir wood with an asphalt roof.Assembly is a two-person job.
The roof is hinged for easy access and cleaning.
It features a transparent canopy.
It comes with a one year warranty.
Most Stylish
Lovupet 2-Story Wooden Luxurious Cat House
  • Suitable for both indoors and outdoors
  • Constructed with 100% fir wood
  • The hinged roof allows easy access
  • 1-year Manufacturer Warranty
Check Amazon

5. Best Heated: Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House

For folks in colder climates, keeping cats warm presents an endless challenge which is why we recommend the Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House.

A heated cat house goes a long way towards making winter bearable for temperature-sensitive pets. They’re also great for arthritic cats who can benefit from therapeutic heat. This Frisco bed includes an electric heating pad to keep your furry pal toasty. The heating pad has an ETL- certified power adaptor with 100-240V input and DC output. Just plug it in, and you’re good to go. In warmer months the heating pad can be removed, making this bed usable year-round.

This house features a 600 denier oxford outer shell and nylon waterproof fabric that should hold up to even the most active felines. It even has a machine washable fleece cover for the inside.

The only drawback to this product is that some owners have reported that it could do with being a bit bigger as some larger pets don’t quite fit inside it properly.

Pros and Cons of the Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House

ProsCons
This cat house features a heating pad with an ETL- certified power adaptor with 100-240V input and DC output.It is not big enough for larger cats.
It has a 600 denier oxford outer shell with waterproof nylon fabric..
It features a machine-washable fleece cover for the inside.
Best Heated
Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House
  • Includes an electric heating pad that can be removed in warmer months
  • Made with nylon waterproof fabric
  • ETL-certified power adapter
  • Machine-washable fleece cover
Check Chewy

6. Best Value: MidWest Curious Cube Cat Condo

Our selection as the best value indoor cat house is the MidWest Curious Cube Cat Condo.

It might not be anything fancy, but this condo has everything you really need in a cat house. This cat house features an upper bed with a plush faux sheepskin liner. It also has side bolsters to provide a comfortable and safe lounging area. A great feature of this house is that is has several little cut outs in the side so your kitties can play hide and seek, plus it has a hanging toy.

This cat house is easy to assemble but also folds flat for easy storage. It is available in several stylish colors too.

Unfortunately, some customers have reported that it is not big enough for medium to large cats. They have also found that it is not durable enough to withstand rambunctious pets playing on it.

Pros and Cons of the MidWest Curious Cube Cat Condo

ProsCons
This cat house features a cozy interior with an external upper bed on the top.It is not big enough for medium to large cats.
The upper bed has side bolsters and a faux sheepskin liner.It is not durable for rambunctious pets to play on.
It had several side cut outs so pets can play in and around it.
This cat house folds flat for storage.
Best Value
MidWest Curious Cube Cat Condo
  • Top bed lined with synthetic sheepskin
  • Hanging toy for entertainment included
  • Collapsible and portable
  • “Hide-and-seek” cut-outs for added fun
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Choosing the Best Indoor Cat House

As you can see, there’s an endless variety of indoor cat houses. But what makes one house better than the next? As you compare models, here are a few key things to watch for:

Size

If you’re housing more than one cat — or if you have a particularly large cat — go with a larger cat house. It’s also wise to check the entrance window’s diameter to make sure your pet can fit inside.

Materials

For the most part, you’ll find cat houses made out of four basic materials: nylon, plastic, wood, and cardboard. The materials best suited for your cat will depend on their personal habits. An older cat who is primarily interested in a cozy spot to nap will enjoy the softness of a nylon home. Fabric houses offer a soft place for kitties to rest. Typically, fabric homes are restricted to indoor use (although not always). If you like the cozy appeal of a fabric cat house, look for one with removable covers to make clean-up easier.

Plastic and wooden cat houses are best for keeping outdoor kitties warm and dry. They hold up well to scratch-happy felines, and they can look stylish to.

The low cost of cardboard cat houses makes them ideal starter homes. Corrugated scratch pads offer cats a safe place to groom overgrown nails, relieving stress and anxiety. These houses are not meant to last forever, but they’re a smart way to introduce newbies to their own cat house.

Since a cat house will probably be one of the more expensive pet accessories you’ll purchase (and one that you won’t want to replace constantly) look for durable materials that can withstand an active cat.

Extra Features

Sure it’s a place to rest, but a cat house can be so much more! Look for bonuses like plush hanging toys, sisal scratching pads, and peekaboo holes. Some indoor cat houses stay warm with heating pads, some have extra storage space, and others can be customized with attachments. 

Style

Some furniture-grade cat houses complement your decor rather than detract from it. If design matters to you, there’s a whole world of designer cat “villas” and cat condos for you to explore. You can find quaint wooden cat houses, attractive (and cozy!) fabric homes, and sleek modern designs that double as statement furniture pieces. 

Cost

As you’ll see from our lineup of all-stars, cat houses come in a wide range of prices. Think about what you can’t go without — a heating pad, washable pillows, multiple perches, etc — and shop accordingly. You should have no trouble finding something suitable without spending a small fortune.

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

When it comes to cat houses, we wanted to offer you a variety of amazing products since there are quite a few to choose from on the market. We value durability and washable surfaces, which you will find on our list. At the same time, we found some simply stunning cat houses that make a statement in your home. Made of natural wood with beautiful designs, these cat houses will keep your cats cozy while livening up the décor or your room.

While simpler models are a breeze to set up, others could be challenging to assemble. If you’re not particularly handy, it’s probably best to choose something that doesn’t require tools for assembly. 

If your cat has never used a cat house before, don’t be discouraged if they need a little time warming up to one. It’s not uncommon for cats to require a little coaxing to check things out. In most cases, lack of interest is nothing a sprinkle a catnip can’t fix. Treats and praise are also helpful. Then it’s just a matter of patience while you give your cat time to get used to their new home.

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About the Author

Liz is a freelance writer who loves putting pet owners in touch with top-rated, life-enriching pet products. She shares her home in Western New York with 2 cats, 2 zebra finches, 1 husband, and an animal-loving daughter. Visit her at Lizwritesforyou.com.

The Best Indoor Cat Houses: Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What makes a good cat house?

The best cat house will be the one your pet is happy to use. If you’re worried about cold drafts, check out a heated cat house. Quality cat homes will use durable, yet comfy, materials. And removable, washable components are always a major plus.

How can I encourage my cat to use their indoor cat house?

It can take time for your cat to give their stamp of approval, but be patient while they are working things out. In the meantime, you can encourage your cat to use their new home with catnip, treats, and praise.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.