Sunday, April 28, 2024

The 5 Best Outdoor Cat Houses 2024: Reviews & Ratings

cat house outdoor

This double-decker cat house is a multi-functional option that provides space to store food and water bowls and shelter for outdoor kitties. It can be customized to fit any space and painted or stained to match your outdoor décor. The plans are fairly detailed, but they’re not specific about how to measure and cut the wood you need. They also don’t spell out exactly which tools you need, but they don’t seem to be anything specialized. This project should be easy for those with DIY experience but probably not impossible for a beginner.

Moderate DIY Winter Cat Shelters

If you find a colony of cats in your backyard from or own more than one, this large outdoor cat house will feel like a mansion! The multiple platforms make for a fun, but reliable bouncy house as your cat maneuvers throughout the space. It is easy to clean, and assemble, and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Just like anything else you buy for your cat, an outdoor cat house should be well-designed and made from durable, high-quality materials. Look for weatherproof and waterproof houses that will keep cats dry and comfortable in damp, stormy weather.

What to look for in outdoor cat houses

These best outdoor cat houses that are heated are warmed with low-voltage electricity. Since these structures aren't waterproof or insulated, you'll want to place them in a sheltered location near a house. There are tons of different outdoor cat houses that can keep your feline dry and warm. Among these reviews, we recommend the New Age Pet Ecoflex Outdoor Cat House. It works well for many cats, as long as you don’t need a heated cat house. Trixie Outdoor Wooden Cat House also works well despite being quite a bit less expensive than many other options.

The 10 Best Outdoor Cat Houses

The ramp or steps provide access to the covered roof area, which is a nice spot for cats to lounge during good weather. The entire tube is insulated and is excellent at containing heat during cold weather. It comes with enough bulk straw to create up to two layers of fresh bedding.

DIY Wood Pallet Cat House

Lindsey Wolko is the founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety in Reston, Virginia. In her work, Wolko advocates for the safety of pet products and the pets who use them. Wolko helped us better understand the best types of bedding materials and how to safely use electricity in these shelters. This cat house by Trixie features an entrance ramp that gives older kitties easy access inside. Petsfit's two-level cat house features a shady porch where cats can take refuge from the heat.

Design a Custom Catio

cat house outdoor

Heated cat houses also have more parts that can break, which often limits their lifespan. However, if you live somewhere very cold, that might not matter much. The ideal size will depend on your cat's height and weight, as well as the number of cats you want to shelter. But according to Quandt, one cat typically needs around four to six square feet of space. "For reference, the area of a medium-sized dog crate per cat is about right," he says.

Kitties' Over-the-Top Outdoor Catio Is the Stuff of Feline Dreams - Parade Pets

Kitties' Over-the-Top Outdoor Catio Is the Stuff of Feline Dreams.

Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

While some of this is due to the size, even when you consider the two-story feature, it’s still more expensive than the competition. Therefore, in high winds, they’re liable to slam open and shut (which cats probably won’t like that much). A cat house will offer the most protection to cats when placed under an overhang, inside of a shed or barn, or in a location where predators can't go. Ninnemann says a fenced-in area may work best, and facing the opening against a wall may help your cat feel safer.

When a cat lies on the bed, it reaches a warm temperature of around 102 degrees F. This cat house is made entirely from deconstructed wood pallets, making it a budget and eco-friendly project. It features two levels, including an enclosed shelter on the bottom and a covered, open-air upper area that can serve as a feeding station or lounge spot. The plans don’t specify the size to cut your pallet boards, allowing you to customize it as required. This project is best for a DIYer with some experience because the plans rely heavily on visual images rather than written details. Each step of the project is illustrated by a clear photograph, but you’ll need to know how to assemble it without being told exactly.

#4 Petsfit 2-Story Outdoor Weatherproof Cat House Cat Condo Review

If you live in a climate where the weather gets cold, look for a small, insulated house that will contain body heat. This two-door cat house is simple, inexpensive, and designed to warm outdoor kitties during a Canadian winter. The double doors offer the cat an escape route if a wild animal tracks them inside.

cat house outdoor

The house has a slightly elevated door with an awning to prevent water from entering. For those who live where it gets cold in the winter, cat houses with door flaps help keep a cat cozy and dry. If you live where it gets hot, a light-colored cat enclosure can best maintain a good temperature inside. Phillips says heated cat houses can be an excellent option, especially in regions with frigid temperatures.

During the winter, cats that live or play outside face freezing temperatures, snow, sleet, rain, and wind. These weather conditions can be dangerous since cats are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. A cat's age, coat type, and certain medical conditions will determine what types of weather they can handle and which type of cat house is best for them.

It’s also more aesthetically pleasing than many other outdoor cat houses, so it will look great in your yard. Depending on your location, it can also provide important protection against dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and snakes. The door size and type are also important, since smaller sizes and types of doors can rule out entrance by potential invaders. Available in five colors, this Rockever cat shelter doesn’t boast the state-of-the-art insulation and waterproofing features of other homes on this list. Rather than a shelter for outdoor cats, it’s better suited as a respite for exploring kittens. For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a pet parent needs, including outdoor cat houses.

Since this cat house isn't made of wood or asphalt but rather polyester, the brand notes that the roof can't hold a kitty's weight — this house isn't for climbing or sunbathing. This three-story cat condo has a weatherproof finish, with hinged shutters and peek-a-boo holes so cats can easily watch what’s going on around them. The inside raised floor also allows for air to circulate, keeping the floor dry and comfortable for cats that just want to relax inside. Yes, high-end cat furniture is a thing and it’s just as ridiculous as you’d imagine.

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