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If you have to place the shelter in a public area, Phillips recommends using a bike lock or other tether to prevent people from removing it. She also suggests attaching a laminated sign to the box to explain why it's there. Dr. Athena Gaffud is a licensed veterinarian from Isabela, Philippines. She runs her own virtual veterinary company, Doc Athena Vet Services, and fact-checks pet articles for Veterinarians.org. Gaffud helped us understand how to choose a cat house for rainy or wet weather and what to look for when choosing houses for senior cats. Our top pick for an outdoor home is the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House, which combines superior safety and weatherproofing with a play-friendly design.
Best Outdoor Cat Houses of 2024
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.

Alley Cat Allies’ DIY Outdoor CAT Shelter
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.
How we chose the best outdoor cat houses
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.
How to build an insulated outdoor cat house/shelter out of a cooler - Idaho State Journal
How to build an insulated outdoor cat house/shelter out of a cooler.
Posted: Thu, 06 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Your cats should have enough space to stand up and turn around, but not enough room to let their body heat escape. Keep in mind, too, that the smaller the house, the better it can retain heat. The GDLF cat house's elevated design keeps cats off wet or muddy ground, while the insulation helps keep them warm on chilly nights. This article was written by Winston Cook-Wilson, a freelance writer and reporter for The Spruce Pets. He consulted with Vicky Halls of International Cat Care—an expert in cat-friendly homing—to learn the best methods for housing outdoor cats.

After entering via one of two doors on the ground floor, a cat will pass through a wind-breaking baffle. Then, they can hop up through an opening to a completely protected, cozy upper level that's 20 inches wide and deep and 12 inches tall. Steps or a ramp could give older kitties a helping hand, Quandt says — and this cat house by Trixie comes equipped with a handy ramp to give older cats easy access.
Best for winter
However, we have several other recommendations that may fit you and your cats even better. All while remaining accessible for cats to freely enter and exit. Have a pre-built cat run sent to your door, build your own from one of our easy catio kits, or have our team design a custom outdoor cat enclosure for your property. California is home to an abundance of wildlife, especially birds. However, outdoor cats pose a threat to California’s bird population.
Live Video of the Cats
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.
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.
The most specialized tool it calls for is a miter saw, which can easily be rented if you don’t have one of your own. Because the directions are so detailed, a beginning DIYer should be able to complete this project. They even explain how to set the miter saw to produce the angled cuts you need. This cat house isn’t insulated, so it’s a better option for a shelter in warmer climates.
Heated Cat House Provides a Cozy Place for Outdoor Cats To Rest - My Modern Met
Heated Cat House Provides a Cozy Place for Outdoor Cats To Rest.
Posted: Sat, 16 Oct 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
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.
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.
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.