8 Best Heated Cat Houses (Indoors & Outdoors) – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Heated cat houses come in different designs and will keep your cat warm and cozy in cold weather. These houses are appreciated by all cats, whether they live indoors or outdoors. Your housecat will appreciate the added warmth and comfort during the winter.

Warm shelters are hard to come by for cats that live outside. If you tend to stray cats or feral colonies, offering them heated, safe places to go is more than a matter of their comfort. It could mean their survival.

We gathered our favorite indoor and outdoor heated cat houses and created reviews to help you choose the best for your cat. Find out what will keep your kitty warm all season, no matter what the temperature is outside.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 8 Best Heated Cat Houses (Indoors & Outdoors)

1. K&H Heated A-Frame Cat House — Best Overall

The K&H Heated A-Frame Cat House is our best overall choice and offers cats a safe and cozy place to rest during cold months. The weatherproof material keeps out wind, rain, and snow. The 5.5-foot cord keeps the floor of this house heated, and it will automatically adjust to reach your cat’s internal temperature. This warm floor is also soothing for arthritic indoor cats. Using only 20 watts, this house is energy-efficient and won’t cause your cat to overheat.

Two doors on this house include clear, removable flaps. The front- and back-door design was created to give cats an escape if they are trapped by predators. When this house isn’t in use either indoors or outdoors, it can fold up easily for storage.

The door openings may be too small for large cats.

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2. Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House — Best Value

The best heated cat house for the money is the Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House. While it’s made for indoor use, it comes in three different colors so you can match it to your décor. This covered house keeps the heat in so your cat can stay cozy during cold months. This private spot for them can stay up year-round. The electric heating pad is removable, giving your cat a cool place to lounge in the warmer months.

The heating pad is also covered in fleece that is machine-washable for added convenience. To set this house up, just manually secure the panels in place and secure them. No tools are necessary.

This house is made of durable materials is waterproof and built to last, but it is recommended to only be used indoors.

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3. The Kitty Tube Outdoor Insulated Cat House — Premium Choice

The environmentally-friendly Kitty Tube Outdoor Insulated Cat House is our premium pick and is made from recycled content. A pet pillow is included for comfort, or you can add your own pet bed or blanket to the bottom

The insulated floor and sides will keep cats warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The lifting handle on the top of the tube can be closed in the winter to lock in heat and opened in the summer for ventilation.

Two cats can comfortably fit inside the Kitty Tube. While there is only one entrance to the tube, the opening is covered with an awning. The unique design of the door makes it difficult for predators to get inside. Cats are protected from wind and snow in this tube. The shelter includes a drainage system to force any moisture out of it while keeping it from reaching the bed inside.

There is an opening on the back of the tube for the cord of the Kitty Tube heating pad (purchased separately). If you decide not to use a heating pad, the opening can be plugged in to keep out moisture. Additionally, the tube can be used with any heating pad that you choose.

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4. Furhome Collective Heated Cat House — Best for Kittens

The Furhome Collective Heated Cat House has an elevated base to protect your cat from rain and accumulated snow on the ground. The waterproof bottom rests 2 inches above the ground and won’t become saturated with moisture.

This house comes with a pet bed, heating pad, and faux fur bolster. This product is good for kittens who like to pile together to sleep. It’s roomy enough for multiple kittens or one adult cat that can snuggle into the bolster for added warmth. The chew-proof cord on the heating pad and two entrances to the house add extra elements of safety. To save money, a 24-hour timer function can be used so you can monitor how much electricity you’re using.

This house can be used indoors or outdoors. Barns, garages, and porches are ideal spots to provide added shelter and warmth for your kitty. Velcro is used to hold this house together. While the house is easy to clean, it may be a bit unstable and there are reports of wobbling.

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5. K&H Mod Thermo-Kitty Heated Shelter

The K&H Mod Thermo-Kitty Heated Shelter uses a 25-watt heated cat bed to keep cats warm no matter the temperature outside. This can be used indoors and outdoors. The waterproof exterior protects cats from rain and snow.

If using this indoors, you don’t have to worry about your cat getting too hot. The heating pad is activated by the cat’s body weight and will only warm to their internal body temperature. It won’t overheat. Only half of the floor is covered by the heating pad, so your cat can decide to be on it or off.

The wide base of this house offers more stability when cats are inside of it.

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6. Toozey Heated Cat House

The easy-to-assemble Toozey Heated Cat House requires no tools and can be assembled or disassembled quickly. The hook-and-loop fasteners and zippers are simple to use. The insulating material is not specified for this product but claims to be durable and high-quality. The roof and base are waterproof to protect your cat outdoors. This house can also be used indoors.

A chew-proof cord is connected to the heating pad to keep your cat safe. The soft cover on the bed is machine washable. The temperature of the heating pad remains constant once it is powered on, so your cat can stay comfortable. This house will hold multiple kittens, but only one adult cat. If you have more than one cat, you’ll need additional houses.

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7. Petnf Heated Cat House

The waterproof Petnf Heated Cat House can be used indoors and outdoors. It’s made from non-toxic PVC material and is durable and stable. The built-in thermostat keeps the heating pad between 100.4–107.6°F. For added safety, the pad is made of fireproof material.

This windproof and rainproof shelter can be used outdoors or inside your garage, porch, or shed. It can also be used inside your home. The removable door flap keeps heat inside during winter and can be taken off during summer to enable ventilation throughout the house. There are two exits in this house to keep cats from being trapped.

The pad cover is removable and machine washable. This house is suitable for pets up to 35 pounds.

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8. K&H Extra-Wide Outdoor Heated Cat House

While this K&H Extra-Wide Outdoor Heated Cat House is for outdoor use, it can also be used indoors, anywhere your cat needs extra warmth. This house is ideal for multi-cat households because of its extra-wide interior. Multiple cats mean added body warmth.

If you only have one cat that’s on the larger side, this house will also work well for them. There are two exits on this house with removable flaps to let cats come and go as they please and avoid being trapped by predators.

The heated bed inside this house partially heats the floor so your cat can choose to be on or off the heating source. There are a few reports of water seeping into this house after a light rain, so it may be best used under a porch or inside a garage.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Heated Cat Houses

Purchasing the right heated cat house for your cat can be tricky because there are so many options. How do you know which one will be best for your cat?

Before you make your selection, there are a few important features to consider.

What Is a Heated Cat House?

Heated cat houses are shelters that provide heat to cats during cold months. They can be indoors or outdoors. If your house is cold in the winter, your cat may be looking for a warm place to curl up. People can put on more clothes and pile on the blankets, but cats need help staying warm too. Cats have higher body temperatures than people do and they do not like to be cold.

Do Cats Really Need Heated Houses?

Cold winters can be dangerous and harmful to cats that live outside. People think that they are covered in fur so they must stay warm, but that isn’t always true. Cats can still suffer from frostbite, hypothermia, and the discomfort that comes with being unable to regulate their body temperatures. If you care for cats that live or venture outside, offering them heated shelters in cold weather could save their lives. Protection from the wind and snow is vital for outdoor cats.

If you tend to feral cats that live outside and are having kittens, a heated house can offer them protection and a safe place to deliver and nurse. Kittens must be kept warm, so a heated house would be an ideal solution.

If your cat doesn’t go outside, it’s up to you to decide if they need a heated shelter or not. Your house might be fine if they can find a warm spot to claim. They may even burrow under blankets or lie next to the heating vent.

Since all cats enjoy being warm, your indoor cat may benefit from a comfortable, soft, heated house. If your home lacks adequate heating in the winter, this could be a solution for your cold kitty.

The Seasons

What is the weather like where you live? How many seasons do you get? If you have cold winters, what’s the temperature like inside your house?

Outdoor cat houses won’t last in weather that they are not designed to withstand. If you live in an area with mild weather, your house may not have to have a heating option. If your cat stays indoors all winter, do they need extra heat to stay warm?

Winter cat houses offer more insulation and protection from the elements. They also offer heating elements that keep your cat warm in addition to protecting them. This is important in areas that get extremely cold.

Heated Cat House Benefits

If you’re undecided about a heated cat house, look at the benefits that one can offer your cat. Older cats that suffer from arthritis might find great relief in resting on a heated bed inside a warm, enclosed space. The heat may help relieve them of their joint pain and decrease inflammation.

Heat can bring comfort to a cat and help them not feel alone. Warmth reminds them of the body heat of another animal or person. Cats like to sleep against their owners or other animals to retain their body heat.

If cats live outside, exposure can cause health problems for them. Low temperatures and cold winds can decrease a cat’s immunity and make it more difficult for cats to overcome illnesses. Heated shelters can provide them a space to rest comfortably to heal and recover.

Space

When considering buying a heated cat house, think about the space that you have and how much of it the house will occupy. If you’re using it outdoors, how many cats do you have? Will you need multiple houses?

If you’re using the house indoors, will it fit in the room that you choose?

Types of Heated Cat Houses

Size

Cat houses can accommodate one cat or several cats. Note the dimensions of the house that you are considering, and make sure your cat or cats can comfortably fit inside of it.

Indoors or Outdoors

The house that you choose may state that it’s made for outdoor use, but it might still leak if it’s placed in direct rain or snow. Some outdoor houses need to be used under a porch or some type of roof to help protect them more. Other houses are only meant for indoor use and will fall apart in the elements. Check the suggested use for the house to make sure it’s what you need. The more durable the material, the more protection it will provide your cat outdoors. If you plan to use the house indoors, the material doesn’t have to be as strong.

Electric vs. Self-Heating

Electrically heated cat houses run on electricity and must be plugged into an outlet to work. Self-heating cat houses warm up when the cat is inside of them and reflect the cat’s own body heat to them. There are benefits and drawbacks of both.

Electric cat houses get warmer faster and stay warmer longer. They also cost more money to use.

Self-heating cat houses don’t run up your electric bill, but they take a long time to warm up. They can lose their heat faster, and they may not work at all outdoors when it’s extremely cold.

Where to Put a Heated Cat House

Heated cat houses should be in sheltered areas to block as much of the snow and rain as possible. If they aren’t elevated already, stacking them on top of boards or bricks can keep them from resting on the ground and becoming dirty and saturated. The sun should be able to hit part of the house during the day to provide warmth. Avoid setting the house out in the open. You want your cat to be as protected as possible. If your cat house has two doors, make sure both entrances are clear for your cat to use at any time.

Adding Bedding or Blankets to Heated Cat Houses

The most common material to use in cat houses that are not heated is straw. It insulates, it stays dry, and it doesn’t mold or freeze. In heated cat houses, the heating element is already provided. Straw is used for the cat’s safety in non-heated houses, but in heated houses, pads, soft beds, and blankets are typically used.

It is crucial to check the material in the heated cat house and make sure it’s clean and dry. This may involve doing extra loads of laundry, but if the cat is lying on a wet blanket that freezes, they could suffer from frostbite and hypothermia. Their bedding should never get dirty, wet, or moldy. If it does, it must be cleaned or replaced entirely.

The heating element should keep the bedding from freezing while it’s on, but when it’s off, freezing is a concern. Always check the bedding in your outdoor cat house, even if it is used by feral cats. Frozen or moldy bedding is dangerous for cats.

Final Thoughts

For the best overall heated cat house, we chose the K&H Heated A-Frame Cat House. We like the fact that it’s energy-efficient. It also has two doors for safety and folds down for easy storage. For the best value, we chose the Frisco Indoor Heated Cat House. It’s only for indoor use but can be used year-round and comes in several colors. Our premium choice is The Kitty Tube Outdoor Insulated Cat House. This is a great option for feral cats and cats that live outdoors.

We hope that our reviews have helped you choose the best-heated cat house for your feline.

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Featured Image Credit: Chewy