10 Amazing Outdoor Cat Houses That’ll Impress Your Feline and Human Friends

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Does your adopted cat love to go outside? Whether your domesticated kitty spends time both indoors and out, or you have a feral feline friend who likes to visit, it's important to provide cats with a secure place to seek shelter in your backyard or other outdoor space. Choose one of the best outdoor cat houses to help keep cats safe and comfortable when eating, sleeping, and playing outside.

If your cat is trying to escape a predator and needs a hiding spot or if your area is experiencing extreme weather, a protective cat house can be their saving grace. Or, if you have a feral cat colony outside tugging at your heartstrings, you may be in the market for a cat enclosure to help them survive.

Not familiar with an outdoor cat house? It's similar to a dog house for the outside, made to withstand rain, snow, and everything in between. It will typically have two openings so the cat won't ever be trapped inside. Cats always need a good escape route in order to feel safe.

In addition to being weatherproof, many outdoor cat houses also come with some really cool features, from heating to multiple levels. These are some of our favorites on the market right now.

Original Outdoor Heated Kitty House

The cream of the crop in outdoor cat houses, this cozy home is actually heated. It heats up using a 20-watt MET Safety Listed plush heated cat bed inside. Weather-resistant and insulated, this cat house’s structure will keep your cat comfortable year-round. Two exits allow your outdoor cat escape routes should they decide to step out for some exploration.

Wooden Outdoor Cat House

Not only do we love the way this large structure looks, we appreciate its size, different sections and entry points. Boasting a large balcony, a couple of jump platforms and top level deck, a small cat colony can easily stick together with this home. And the best part is, the fir wood is sturdy, waterproof, and weatherproof.

Solid Wood Feral Cat Shelter With Waterproof Roof

You and the cats in your neighborhood will appreciate this feral cat shelter. It is fully ventilated so multiple felines can stay cool inside on hot summer days. This house will also protect cats from the elements, like rain, because while air and sunlight can come through the surrounding slats, water cannot.

Outdoor Cat Enclosure

An outlier on this list, this outdoor cat house landed on our list for cats that are just supposed to be indoors who want to experience being outdoors. They are enclosed in completely — with durable fir wood and wire mesh — because this structure is essentially a cage, but there’s plenty of room and platforms for fun play. A large front door stays shut using latches.

Large Size Heated Cat House for Outdoor Cats in Winter

Cats love warmth. That's why they sleep under the sun a lot. To keep your kitty comfy while they're out in your backyard, this cat house will offer plenty of protection for one cat or two during cold nights. Weather-resistant and made of insulated PVC, this shelter also comes with a heated cat bed for maximum comfort. A padded fleece cover adds more coziness. And the best part is, you need zero tools to set this up.

Albany Outdoor Feral Cat House

This cat house is made with ecoFLEX, which is super-durable. It won’t fade, warp, splinter, crack, rot, or succumb to bug infestation. We love that this one has a nice design, and features two points of entry or exit for the cat’s convenience and safety.

Extra-Wide Outdoor Heated Cat House

This heated cat house is one of the larger ones we’ve found. Made for cats who prefer to sleep in garages, porches, barns, and colder parts of the house, this structure gives cats a cave-like feel. Two exit points mean they will never feel too trapped inside. This one is made of heavy denier polyester, which makes it water-resistant and weather-resistant.

Wooden Outdoor Cat House With Escape Door

This weatherproof two-story cat enclosure earns our award for best looking. The design reminds us of a modern farmhouse type of house. But don't let its style fool you. This cat house can work for feral cats who don't want frills. Any cat will appreciate the openable asphalt roof, plus its jumping platforms for play and lounging. Multiple access points will keep your cat feeling confident because they can easily escape.

Triangular Cat House

This highly-rated cat house is also budget-friendly, with a price tag below $60. Its unique triangular shape is chic and stylish, while also making it easy to clean. Made of durable material, its weatherproof in rain or snow.

Outdoor Cat House With Scratching Board

This two-story outdoor cat house has all the bells and whistles, without the price tag. It's spacious and cute, and you can choose between one with a scratching post incline and one with a ladder that may be better suited to less agile cats.

What to look for when shopping for an outdoor cat house

Consider the following criteria to find the best shelter for your cat.

✔️ Location: Where are you putting this outdoor cat house? (Don't forget to measure the space!)

✔️ Size: Will the cat house need to accommodate just one cat or multiple? Make sure the outdoor cat house is large enough to accommodate your cat or cats (and perhaps your cat’s friends).

✔️ Insulation: Does your cat need protection from cold weather?

✔️ Weatherproof: Will the cat house need to be weatherproof through all four seasons? If an outdoor cat house needs to be plugged into an outlet, for instance, make sure it will stay dry. Confirm that rain or melting snow will not be a factor.

✔️ Price point: How much do you want to spend?

How we chose the best outdoor cat houses

These are the most important things to consider before you buy an outdoor cat house.

• Multiple exit points: So a cat never gets trapped inside by a predator. That means, look for a cat house that has a front opening and a back opening, giving them the opportunity to walk in one side and out the other.

• Materials: Will they actually withstand the elements? Are they durable? PVC and wood are good options. If it’s a fabric, it likely won’t last.

• Safety: The outdoor cat house should not look or feel like a cage. It will need to be inviting to a cat, and they won’t want to feel trapped. No matter what, always consider safety.

• Positive reviews: Buying things online is not always easy, and the buyers who have been there and done that are your best source of info. We looked for reviews with thoughtful comments and that considered use case.

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