The 6 Best Cat Caves of 2023
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
The best hiding spots, tents, and cat houses
Chewy
Getting a cat cave gives your feline friend a place to relax and mellow out, where they feel protected and secure. A great plush cubby hole allows them to hide away from the world, lowering their stress and anxiety.
“Indoor cats may hide away in their caves for long naps or to avoid unpleasant noises, such as the vacuum cleaner or noisy households,” Rita Reimers and Linda Hall of the Cat Behavior Alliance told The Spruce Pets.
Our favorite cat cave is the Meowfia Premium Felt Cat Cave, which is handmade from Merino wool and is available in eight color patterns and two different sizes.
Best Overall: Meowfia Premium Felt Cat Cave Bed
What We Like
Handmade of merino wool felt
Can’t be pressed flat and used as bed
Available in 8 patterns
Two sizes
What We Don't Like
Should be washed by hand or with steam cleaner only
Meowfia’s wool felt cat cave is made by hand using 100 percent Merino wool from New Zealand. This makes it both durable and warm, while the Merino wool is particularly soft. Wool is the perfect cat material, because it insulates well, but is also thick and tough, so your cat won’t rip through it with their claws. It also absorbs odors naturally. We particularly like this cat cave because it can be compressed to form a cat bed as well, which makes it handy in summer months where the cave itself might be a little too warm for your cat.
The Meowfia Premium Felt Cat Cave Bed is available in two sizes, with the larger size suitable for cats up to 20 pounds and the smaller more appropriate for cats 12 pounds and under. You can was the Meowfia cat cave by hand in warm water or using a steam cleaner.
Price at time of publish: $60 for large
Sizes: 19 x 18 x 12 inches (large), 16 x 16 x 10 (small) | Colors: Light grey, aquamarine, slate gray, black aqua, dark gray, green, beige, pink | Material: 100% Merino wool felt
Best Budget: Bedsure Cat Cave
What We Like
Available in two different sizes
Non-skid bottom
Removable, machine washable pillow
What We Don't Like
Not all colors available in both sizes
If your cat just needs a warm space and a comfy pillow to relax, then the Bedsure cat bed is a great option. Something is charming about the beige cat cave that comes with a triangular entrance and a plush interior covered in faux fur. The top is made of high-density foam, allowing the cave to stand upright on its own and keep from falling. If you’d rather give your cat a bit of breathing room, the top can be removed, transforming it into a normal cat bed. The top also has a loop handle, allowing for easy transport.
The microfiber cushion is very easy to clean, just throw it in the washing machine. The interior can only be vacuumed, making cleaning any serious messes an impossibility. The cat cave itself is large enough to handle a kitten or a cat.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 15 inches (medium), 17.5 x 17.5 x 17.5 inches (large) | Colors: Beige, dark gray, washed blue | Materials: Polyester, microfiber
Text Link:The 12 Best Cat Carriers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Tent: Winsterch Cat Tent
What We Like
Removable and washable warming cushion
Can be disassembled for storage
Lightweight and movable
What We Don't Like
Depends on plastic brackets that can be annoying to fit together
A cat tent allows you to establish a structured hiding place for your cat that's easy to move or disassemble as needed.
The Winsterch Cat Tent uses eight flexible polls that are bound together by plastic brackets, creating a rigid structure that retains a consistent shape, unlike many other varieties of cat cave. If your cat is uncomfortable with a flexible fabric cat cave—which can be deformed or pounced on by another cat in the household—then a cat tent offers an alternative that they can rely on to provide the same shape of hiding spot every time.
Available in gray, it comes with a machine-washable cushion with a non-skid rubber bottom.
Price at time of publish: $27
Dimensions: 18.5 x 18.5 x 15.8 inches | Opening: 7.8 x 9.8 inches | Materials: Polyester, plastic | Colors: Gray, blue, brown
Best Outdoor: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty House
What We Like
Two entrances
Space enough for multiple cats
Removable door flaps
Removable and washable fleece cover on heated pad
What We Don't Like
Roof can’t support a cat
Pad is always on when plugged in
If you have outdoor cats, then the K&H Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty House can provide them with a place to retreat to in colder weather. It's ideal for setting up in a garage, barn, or on a porch. It's also useful if you're looking to provide shelter for free-roaming community cats.
The water-resistant polyester exterior includes two entrances—so your outdoor cats can't get cornered by a dog, for example—and optional door flaps for wet weather environments. The Multi-Kitty House has a roomy interior that provides both heated and non-heated space.
The heated pad itself uses a 20-watt heater and exceeds U.S. regulatory safety standards. The pad doesn't get too hot—instead, it's designed to provide enough heat to warm a cat that's insulating the pad with their body, rather than heating the interior of the cat house. The pad comes with a fleece cover that's removable and washable.
Price at time of publish: $87
Dimensions: 21.5 x 26.5 x 15.5 inches | Materials: Polyester
Best Novelty: Lively Pufferfish Cat House
What We Like
Available in three sizes and three colors
Can be used as a bed too
Machine washable pillow is two-sided
What We Don't Like
Small and medium sizes are too small for most cats
What’s better than eating a fish? How about sleeping inside one? Lcybem offers a wacky fish cat cave that will keep you smiling and your cat comfortable. The plush interior and removable pillow should be comfortable enough. But if your cat needs some extra cushioning, the top can be patted down and used as an open-air bed.
Keep in mind that this cat cave isn’t the most durable or strong. A cat that loves to scratch and play may end up gutting the stuffing or picking off the fish’s eyes or fins. The bed itself is also not the largest, so it’s best used with smaller cats or kittens.
Lcybem also offers a version with entrances on either side, which may suit a multiple cat household better.
Price at time of publish: $26
Dimensions: 16.5 x 16.5 x 13.4 inches (large); 14.5 x 14.5 x 12 (medium); 13 x 13 x 14.5 (small) | Material: Cotton | Colors: Gray, brown, pink
Best Luxury: Miacara Perla Cat Cave
What We Like
Cats can see their surroundings
Exceptional ventilation
Machine washable cushion
What We Don't Like
Less suitable for cold weather
Expensive
Made from woven rattan, the Perla Cat Cave is not only a design statement by Belgian designer Mathias De Ferm, but also has practical features that make it stand out from other cat caves. Most notable is the open, woven format, which provides both an enclosed space and a loose enough weave that your cat will have ventilation, light, and some visibility of their surroundings.
The Perla comes with a machine washable cushion. It's available in two colors—a cream-like "Natural" and gray "Anthracite."
Price at time of publish: $409
Dimensions: 22-inch diameter, 22-inch height | Materials: Rattan, cotton/polyester blend, polyurethane foam, polypropylene rope | Colors: Natural, anthracite
Final Verdict
Our favorite cat cave is the Meowfia Premium Felt Cat Bed Cave which is handmade of Merino wool, durable, available in multiple colors, and can be used as a bed. When it comes to budget options, you can’t beat the Bedsure Cat Cave, which is available in two different sizes, has a sturdy triangular design, and comes with a leather loop handle that makes it easy to move to different locations in your home.
What to Look for in a Cat Cave
Sizing
Measuring the length of your cat in advance can help you pick the cat cave that they are most likely to use. Part of the appeal of a cat cave is that it's a confined space. Cats love confined spaces because it makes them feel safe and secure—you may have seen your cat try to squeeze into a too-small box. However, if a cave is too cramped, your cat might not be able to nap comfortably.
The ideal cat bed will provide about two to three extra inches beyond your cat's body length. This will give them a cozy space while still providing enough room to turn around or change position. Similarly, a cat cave's height should be slightly more than your cat's height. It should be just tall enough that your cat stand up fully and stretch inside, but still feel as if they have a low overhang.
Multiple Cats
If you live in a multi-cat household than there are additional considerations beyond size. Sure, you'll want a larger cat cave that allows two cats to co-nap inside, but you'll also want a cat cave with more than one entrance. This can help prevent fights by ensuring that a cat never feels cornered inside the cave. Fabric cat caves may not have enough structure to withstand, for example, one cat jumping on top while the other cat is inside. Instead, consider a tent or more rigid design that will prevent one cat from collapsing the cave on another.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a cat cave?
Our favorite cat cave by Meowfia is made from Merino wool that is best treated by washing in cold water using a wool-specific mild detergent. However, most cat caves, cat tents, and similar designs are not meant to be cleaned all over. Most typically, they'll have an interior cushion with a removable cover that can be machine washed separately—useful for periodically purging the built up hair your cat will shed on their favorite napping spot.
For stains on the exterior of a cat cave, first try your preferred spot cleaning solution on a small, hidden part of the cave to ensure that it doesn't damage or discolor the fabric. Cat caves should be allowed to dry in sunlight or by an open window before your cat resumes use.
Where should I place a cat cave?
Cat caves provide both insulation and a hiding spot. As such they should be placed in a low-traffic area where your cat can feel secure. Their entrances should be turned away from open hallways or other drafty spaces, to ensure that your cat can retain warmth while inside their cave.
“The best place to put a cat cave is in a quiet, low-traffic area where kittens can have a peaceful place to nap,” Reimers and Hall said. “Bonus points if the cave is in a warm, sunny place.”
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
This article was written by Steven Asarch, a freelance writer for The Spruce Pets. He has firsthand experience working with different feline products and taking care of two rambunctious felines.
To gain a better understanding of what cats are looking for from a cat cave, he spoke to Co-Founders of Cat Behavior Alliance Rita Reimers and Linda Hall. Using their expert insights, he determined which cat caves are best suited for keeping a cat cozy. He prioritized comfort, price, and durability.
Read Next:The 10 Best Cat Trees of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
