Last updated Dec 19, 2024
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Are you caring for a stray cat colony? One of the things outdoor cats need most is shelter from the elements, whether that be wind, rain, snow, or even sun. Cat houses can provide some protection and give cats a safer place to sleep than wide open spaces.
In this article, we’ll discuss the five best outdoor cat houses for various situations, including the winter, summer, and if you care for multiple cats.
At a Glance: Best Outdoor Cat Houses To Buy
GDLF Feral Cat Enclosure
- Insulation on all sides, bottom, and roof
- Elevated from the ground
- Waterproof materials
The Kitty Tube
- Easy assembly
- Insulated on all sides
- Various customization options, including three bedding types
Aivituvin Two-Tier Cat House
- Two floors allow cats to have their own space
- Multiple doors and entries
- Easy to clean
K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House
- Easy assembly
- Great for sheltered locations such as patios or sheds
- Pet-safe heating pad
New Age Pet ECOFLEX
- Easy assembly
- Elevated off the ground
- Two entries to prevent cats from getting cornered
Why Purchase an Outdoor Cat House?
Boxes of best outdoor cat houses stacked for testing and review. Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Outdoor cat houses provide shelter for stray and feral cats. They help protect them from bad weather, cold, and predators. However, they don’t provide perfect protection and aren’t an alternative to keeping your own cat safely indoors.
Cat harnesses and catios (cat patios) are much safer solutions for pet cats that want to venture outside. Cat houses can even be placed inside large catios to give your cat more places to explore!
Why Trust Cats.com
In addition to my seven indoor cats, all rescued from the outdoors, I’ve also cared for various stray and feral cats in my neighborhood. When selecting the cat houses for this article, I looked for those that would provide the best protection in various situations and environments.
I also spoke to other cat owners and read product reviews for the most popular cat houses on the market. During testing, I noted which houses were cat-friendly, how easy or difficult they were to assemble, and which situations they’d work best for. I hope you’ll find a cat house on this list that’s perfectly suited to you and the cats in your life.
The 5 Best Outdoor Cat Houses
Our rankings are determined by a variety of factors. Each cat will have different needs and preferences, so while the GDLF feral cat enclosure is our top choice, it might not be ideal for your unique cat. To help you choose the right outdoor cat house, we’ve broken down our recommendations by the best insulated cat house, the best heated cat house for winter, and other key considerations.
#1 Overall Best: GDLF Feral Cat Enclosure
The GDLF feral cat enclosure is sturdy and well-made, with foam insulation inside of the wood on all sides including the top and bottom. It’s designed for cooler climates, and you can even pay more to add a heating pad to your order. The heating pad fits into the largest part of the enclosure, so cats can move off of it without fully leaving the shelter if they’re feeling too warm.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
It has one entryway, covered with a plastic doorway to block out cold, wind, and weather. Although this leaves cats susceptible to being cornered by other cats or predators, it also works as an added barrier to the cold and rain.
Trying to assemble this one by hand was a pain as it did not come with pre-drilled holes. I would recommend using an electric screwdriver or drill to make assembly easier and faster.
What We Liked
- Insulation on all sides, including the bottom and roof
- Elevated off the ground for better protection
- Waterproof
What We Didn’t Like
- Only one entry
- Difficult assembly
#2 Best-Insulated: The Kitty Tube
The Kitty Tube is a different sort of cat house with its round shape and plastic material. It also comes with various customization options, such as double insulation and various bedding options. These include a pillow, heating pad, and straw.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The house comes with foam insulation on all sides. It has two air holes covered by awnings to help prevent rain from getting inside. It also comes with a removable plastic door. It’s made to fit two cats or a mama cat and her babies.
Unfortunately, it does only have one entry. Like the GDLF, this keeps cats warmer but might come with risks if they get cornered inside.
What We Liked
- Well-insulated and weather-protected
- Comes with various types of bedding to suit every situation
- Fits two cats
What We Didn’t Like
- Only one entrance
- Some reviewers have found that the bottom lets in water
#3 Best For Multiple Cats: Aivituvin Two-Tier Cat House
The Aivituvin two-tier cat house has two floors that can fit one to two cats each. Although it isn’t super large, it does give cats a bit of space to get away from one another if they remain on separate floors. An entrance on each floor also makes them less likely to get cornered inside.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The floors of the house slide out, making it easy to hose down if it gets dirty. One side is also fitted with doors that can be opened for easy cleaning, to provide more airflow in the summer, or to provide cats with additional exits.
Like the GDLF, this one didn’t come with pre-drilled holes and is much easier to assemble with a power tool than by hand. It also came with some damage to the wood in two places, and the wood used didn’t feel especially thick or sturdy.
What We Liked
- Two levels to give cats their own space
- Easy to clean
- Several entries so cats won’t get cornered inside
What We Didn’t Like
- Difficult assembly
- It came with some damaged wood
#4 Best Heated: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House
The K&H heated kitty house is super easy to assemble, as it’s joined by Velcro. This does make the product less sturdy than the others on our list, and it’s best suited for use inside another shelter, such as a garage or shed. It won’t protect cats from the rain or snow.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The house is small and can fit a maximum of two cats (or one large cat). However, its size helps it to retain heat. It also comes with removable plastic doorways that help to block wind and cold from getting inside.
K&H is well known for their pet heating pads that are certified for safety. I have other products from them that I love for my indoor cats, and this outdoor house worked just as well. Overall, it’s a great product so long as it’s used correctly.
What We Liked
- Small house retains heat well
- Certified-safe pet heating pad
- Two entries to prevent cats from getting cornered inside
What We Didn’t Like
- Not made for unsheltered outdoor use
- No predator protection
#5 Best Outdoor Cat House for Summer: New Age Pet ECOFLEX
The New Age Pet ECOFLEX is a relatively small cat house that can fit two to three cats inside as long as they get along well enough to cuddle together. It comes with two entries that can be covered by removable plastic doors. Although this product is not made to keep out the cold, I think it would work well in the summer or in warm climates.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
It was super easy to assemble and didn’t require any additional tools. I also like that the house sits a couple of inches off the ground, which keeps it out of rain puddles and provides a bit of added protection for the cats inside.
What We Liked
- Elevated for better protection from predators and weather
- Two entries so cats don’t get cornered inside
- Easy assembly
What We Didn’t Like
- Not well-suited to cold weather
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Cat House
Here are some things to consider before buying an outdoor cat house:
Number of Entries
Ideally, cat houses have two or more entryways. This prevents cats from getting cornered inside by other cats or predators, which can lead to injuries, disease spread, or even death.
Predator Protection
No cat house will protect the cat from predators entirely, which is why it’s recommended to keep your own cat safely indoors. However, some are more protective than others. If you’re trying to keep stray cats in the area safe, look for houses that are raised off the ground, have multiple exits, and are sturdily constructed. You can also help by putting the house in a sheltered area, such as a garage or patio, and picking up leftover food once the cats are finished eating.
Suitability for Your Climate
If you live in a cold area, you might want to look for cat houses with insulation, waterproof materials, or even a heating pad. On the other hand, those in warm locations will want lots of ventilation for good airflow.
Durability
Finally, you’ll want to look for a cat house that will last. This means it’s made of durable materials, well-constructed, and easy to clean. Cats can be messy, especially outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warmest bedding for outdoor cats?
The warmest bedding for outdoor cats is a heating pad. Choose one that’s made for pets so that it's safe and won’t cause burns, and make sure the cat can easily move away from the heat if needed. If your cat house is exposed to the elements, rather than in a shed or garage, then it might get wet. Please remember that wet fabric can freeze, which is very unsafe for cats. In this case, straw bedding is recommended.
What can you put in an outdoor cat shelter except for straw?
If your cat house can get wet inside, straw is the best option to keep cats safe as it won’t hold onto moisture and freeze like cat beds, blankets, or towels.
Do outdoor cat houses work?
This depends on which cat house you buy and what you expect from it. Some cat houses work well to shelter cats from the elements, providing warmth and shelter from the rain. Others must be kept in dry, sheltered locations for safety purposes, as they aren’t suited to be fully outdoors. However, cat houses won’t fully protect a cat from predators or other cats. In addition, some cats, especially ferals, might be too timid to climb into a cat house.
Where is the best place to put an outdoor cat house?
If you can place the cat house under shelter, such as an awning, patio, garage, or shed, these are the best locations. They provide additional protection from wind, rain, and snow. You’ll also want to look for a location that’s out of the way, so it’s less likely to be found by predators or people with ill intentions. Cats tend to feel safest in secluded locations. However, you’ll also want them to be able to leave easily in case of predators or cat fights.
devising an study outdoor cat box that will assure the cat’s safety when inside box. easy fix: devise a entry/exit system, where the weight of the cat inside the shelter will secure/lock the doors blocking entry by another animal/predator. also well insulating the box inclusive well closing/insulated exit/entry doors instead of supplying heating devices to shelter. heating devices in very cold climate will expose animal going from very warm to cold will not only diminish its ability to tolerate the cold, it will induce resperatory illness due to going from very warm enclosure to very cold outdoors.
I got a large order of steaks from Omaha steaks and it came in a big thick styrofoam tub. I taped the lid down and cut a hole in it and insulated the hole with some tape for a feral cat that lives in my parking lot. My neighbor’s going to try to get me some straw but in the meantime I put a couple of towels in there. I’m going to put it out tomorrow but I’m a little worried about rain getting in and the towels getting wet. If I can’t get straw should I just leave the inside empty?
hi There, I would love to get some information on how to make my 2 cats get along, 1 is 5 months old male(rescued 2 months ago) and the other one is 10 year old female, rescued from the street 2 years, ago
Hi Mari,
You can post your question on our cat behavior forum here:
https://cats.com/community/behavior