The 6 Best Outdoor Cat Houses of 2023

Best Overall

Petsfit Outdoor Cat House

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Available in three quaint and tasteful colors, the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House checks all of the boxes when it comes to the primary specifications vets and cat experts recommend owners look for when picking out a comfortable and safe home for their outdoor kitty. It’s also attractive enough for indoor or outdoor use. 

The A-frame design helps keep the interior roomy, without providing too much empty air space—making it easier for cats to keep it warm with just their body heat. The house’s interior dimensions are 18 by 17 inches, with 20 inches of height, providing enough space for one or two cats inside.

The boards of the roof—made from Finnish spruce—are pitched at angles to seal off the interior completely, while rubber insulation and plastic sheeting handily keeps out rain and prevents water damage. Its awning, protected by asphalt, is a perfect shield against heavy snowfall.

The house is designed to hold in heat easily, requiring cats to build up less body heat to feel comfortable. If you have a need for more heating in the house, however, there is an opening for a power cord to power a heating pad or other device.

Another crucial element for the safety of outdoor cats is a secondary “escape” door, so that a cat can’t be cornered in the house by a dog or other predator. The escape door on the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House has a clear plastic panel so that cats can feel fully aware of their surroundings.

The Petsfit cat house can also withstand a lot of wear and tear from excitable cats, thanks to its sturdy wood design. It’s also easy to maintain, since the two floorboards can both be removed for cleaning.

While many people purchase a cat house for the outdoor cat in their own family, it’s also common for people to consider a cat house for feral or abandoned cats living nearby. With its durable wood construction and optimized design, the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House is suitable for most situations, making it a flexible pick that can serve most standard cat house needs.

Price at time of publish: $94

_{Materials: Finnish spruce wood | Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 21 inches | Properties: Waterproof, insulated, removable boards}

Best Multi-Cat

Rockever Luxury Two Story Outdoor Cat Shelter with Escape Door Rainproof Outside Kitty House

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Though there’s also a very roomy one story model available, The two-floor version (there’s also a single story model) of the Rockever Outdoor Cat Shelter—constructed out of fir wood—is the way to go if you’re looking to put up three or four cats at a time. It provides plenty of room for feral cats to have their own space, play safely, and exit quickly through its two separate entrances. One element that makes this home irresistible is the adorable balcony, perfect for luxurious sunbathing.  

It’s also resistant to the elements thanks to a roof with asphalt shingles and acrylic protection on its doors. Though not fully insulated, its walls and flap doors are designed to contain as much heat as possible. In winter months, consider adding straw as an extra insulator.

The Rockever Outdoor Cat Shelter is available in gray, blue, or wine red (each version features white trim).

Price at time of publish: $166

_{Materials: Fir wood | Dimensions: 20.8 x 24.4 x 36.2 inches | Properties: Insulated, weatherproof roof, removable floors, two floors}

Best for Cold Weather

K&H Pet Products Heated A-Frame Cat House

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This compact A-frame cat house is exceptional at retaining heat, even without the faux fleece blanketed bottom and the 20-watt heating pad (there’s also a version suitable for multiple cats, that’s available heated or unheated). 

The polyester design of the K&H Pet Products Heated A-Frame Cat House is solidly weather-resistant and provides extra insulation on top of the heating capabilities. Even the doors are designed to retain heat, with clear door flaps on both the front and rear “escape” door. Plus, it’s tough enough for use with feral cats, in barns, or other adverse conditions. The only downside is its relatively short power cable, which only extends five and a half feet.

The faux fleece cover on the heating pad in the K&H A-Frame Cat House can be machine washed on a cold cycle, then air dried. This cat house is also frequently available for deeply discounted prices.

Price at time of publish: $56

_{Materials: Polyester | Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 14 inches | Properties: Heated, insulated, weatherproof, removable roof}

Best for Warm Weather

PawHut 2-Level Elevated Waterproof Outdoor Wooden Treehouse Cat Shelter with Balcony

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Pawhut’s signature cat shelter is one of the more playful designs on the market aesthetically, with a raised bottom and a roof deck designed to look like a treehouse. The raised platform design isn’t just meant to be cute, though: it keeps moisture from building up under the structure after rainfall. Though it’s made of fir wood, the Treehouse Shelter’s roof is also covered in a strong water-resistant finish, offering superior protection against downpour. The shelter’s eye-catching structure also includes an indoor lounge with sturdy gate, easy-to-climb stairs, and a balcony with railing. 

While the Pawhut is perfect for cats who want to lounge around on an elevated platform and occasionally get into the shade, because there’s only one entrance it’s not a great pick for barns, woodland areas, or other places where a cat is likely to encounter threats.

Price at time of publish: $105

_{Materials: Fir wood | Dimensions: 28.75 x 20.5 x 25.75 inches | Properties: Raised platform, roof deck, water-resistant}

Best Upgrade

The Kitty Tube Outdoor Insulated Cat House Gen 4

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The Kitty Tube offers comprehensive insulation, rain protection, and temperature control. Because it is made from recycled materials, it is also the most environmentally friendly cat house on the market, while the smooth design makes it exceptionally easy to clean—a hose will usually do the trick!

The Kitty Tube is less of an attractive cat house and more of a utilitarian shelter for feral cats. It’s extremely well-suited for cold weather, and even the handholds used to move the Kitty Tube can be closed in winter (or left open for summertime ventilation). It even comes with straw insulation for the interior.  

The main downside is that the Kitty Tube lacks a second exit. Instead, it relies on a narrow entrance with a substantial overhang to prevent access by predators. 

Price at time of publish: $170

_{Materials: 100% post-consumer HDPE plastic, primarily from milk and detergent bottles | Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 23 inches | Properties: insulated, weatherproof, recycled materials design}