10 Best Outdoor Cat Houses & Shelters in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Winter is coming, and if you have cats who love being outdoors more than inside (or stray cats who’ve taken a liking to your home), you’ll want to be sure they are well-protected. When the temps drop and snow begins to fall, you can be sure your cats are warm and cozy with an outdoor cat house. The only problem is finding the right one for your kitties.

When looking for an outdoor cat house, you’ll need to look at a variety of factors to be assured you’ve found the best one. You’ll want something with plenty of insulation and durability, and you’ll want to find a size that works for what you need. There is a plethora of outdoor cat houses available, so it can be hard to decide.

As such, we’ve put together a quick rundown of some of the most popular. With this guide, you can easily decide in no time.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 10 Best Outdoor Cat Houses & Shelters

1. K&H PET Products Outdoor Kitty House Cat Shelter – Best Overall

This heated K&H PET house wins hands down when it comes to the best overall outdoor cat house. It’s simple to put together, insulated with a heated pet bed inside, and weatherproof. It also includes two exits for cats to go in and out of, meaning they cannot be trapped inside the house by predators. The exits are covered so that they also protect them from rain and snow.

The cord for the heated bed is 5.5 feet long so that you can keep the house far from anything flammable. The house has also been tested and certified to meet and exceed U.S. electric safety standards, plus comes with a 1-year warranty.

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2. Love’s Cabin Outdoor Cat House Weatherproof – Best Value

The best outdoor cat house for the money is Love’s Cabin Outdoor Cat House. It’s on the smaller side, so it’s only suitable for a single cat, but it advertises itself as waterproof and durable, which is perfect for the outdoors. This cat house isn’t heated, but it does come with a removable sleeping mat that will help your kitty stay cozy during the cold months. No tools are needed to assemble it, and you can easily clean it with a bit of soap and warm water. Plus, the cat house has a non-skid bottom so that you can place it almost anywhere.

Love’s Cabin Outdoor Cat House provides lifetime customer service, along with a 1-month return or replacement guarantee.

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3. Aivituvin Outdoor Cat House – Premium Choice

If you’re looking for a premium outdoor cat house, Aivituvin has you (and your cats) covered! This 2-story kitty house/playground features platforms and a cubby for your outdoor cats to rest and play. This product is on wheels, making it easy to move wherever you want. The asphalt roof helps keep the house dry during rain and snow, and the cypress fir used for the wooden parts is rot-resistant. Cats can use two access doors to get in and out quickly.

According to the company, this house requires a bit more assembly time than others—60–90 minutes—so be prepared for that.

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4. New Age Pet ecoFLEX Albany

Made with a recycled plastic-wood polymer composite that is non-toxic, the Albany is built to endure. The company promises that this cat house won’t split, crack, warp, fade, or rot. Plus, it’s resistant to bugs! It has two entrances with flaps that can be removed, so outdoor cats won’t ever feel trapped, and it is small enough to fit into the corner of a porch or carport. The house also comes with double-walled panels for extra insulation to keep kitties warm in cold weather.

This house is simple to assemble—no tools are needed!

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5. PETYELLA Heated Cat Houses for Outdoor Cats

If super adorable is your vibe, you’ll love this one! This heated cat house made by Swedish company Petyella comes with a heating pad, a padded bottom to keep water out, a chew-proof heating pad cord, and an extension cord. Plus, there are two openings so cats can get in and out without trouble.

Assembly is straightforward—putting this together is a bit like assembling a cardboard box. While it’s water-resistant, it isn’t wholly weatherproof, so you’ll want to place it in an area that provides a bit of shelter. And if you or your cats don’t like the house, you can return it for a refund, no problem!

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6. Rockever Outdoor Cat Shelter

This outdoor cat house is relatively simple but adds an extra element with its sunbathing balcony. Made of natural fir and non-toxic water-based paint, this product promises to remain sturdy long-term. The asphalt roof is designed to repel water and snow, while the plastic and acrylic covering the entrances and peek holes keep warmth inside. This house comes with a fleece mat but isn’t heated. However, you can put a heating pad inside if you’d prefer by placing the cord through a peek hole. The manufacturer recommends this house for cats less than 18 pounds.

While it may look a bit difficult to put together, the company promises it isn’t and that all you’ll require is a Phillip’s screwdriver.

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7. K&H Pet Products Multi-Kitty A-Frame

This insulated, weather-resistant cat house is great if you have multiple outdoor cats. Big enough for up to four kitties, this product has two openings for a quick escape if needed. While unheated, it does come with a cushioned pad that can be removed. Assembly is a breeze, and you can stick this in an unobtrusive place due to its size and shape. Though simple, it will keep your multiple outdoor cats cozy and dry this winter.

Made by K&H, which has over 20 years of experience producing pet products, this house comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

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8. The Kitty Tube with Pillow

Made in the U.S., the Kitty Tube is made of recycled materials, making it environmentally friendly. This 4^th generation Kitty Tube has 15% more insulation in the floor than previous versions, raising it off the ground to prevent the cold from seeping in. The house also includes a layer of foam designed to keep moisture out and a system that drains moisture away. With its excellent insulation, it will keep outdoor kitties warm in the winter, but you can also use it year-round as it stays cool during the summer. There is only one door on this one, but the product claims the design of the door will keep predators out.

The Kitty Tube comes with a 30-day return period and is guaranteed never to crack or chip.

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9. Petsfit Outdoor Cat House for Feral Kitties Weatherproof, Wood Cat Shelter with Escape Door

Recommended for cats who are 15 pounds or less, this cute outdoor cat house is built to keep water and cold out. The walls on the inside are covered by plastic sheeting so moisture can’t get in, while the thick, wooden panels help it stand up to all sorts of weather. While not heated, it’s built so you can put a heating pad inside for those super cold days. It also contains two entrances, so cats don’t feel contained.

This house is effortless to clean—just take off the two removable boards put on for this purpose, and you’re good to go. It’s also easy to assemble!

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10. Petsfit Cat House for Outdoor Cats Weatherproof with Escape Door

If you want to give your outdoor kitties a cat house that actually resembles a house, try this one on for size. This 2-story house includes a warm, cozy inside on the bottom and a deck on top for days when the weather is great. It even includes a cute little staircase! Made of Finnish spruce so that it’s resistant to rot and non-toxic paint, it has an extra support rod to make it incredibly sturdy. The front door has an awning to keep the area dry, while the back door has a cut-out paw print to increase air circulation within. Plus, it contains a raised floor designed to keep water out and air circulating, along with an asphalt roof.

This house will require some assembly.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Outdoor Cat Houses & Shelters

Caring for outdoor cats means you want them to be warm—and, most importantly, safe—during those long winter months. Getting them a cat house will offer protection from the elements, as well as predators, but you want to get the right fit. That means considering several things.

Is It Well Insulated?

Insulation in an outdoor cat house is the most important thing to look for. If a house doesn’t have a lot of insulation, it will be useless during cold weather, and your cat likely won’t be inclined to spend time inside it. However, don’t forget that even insulated cat houses will probably need some blankets or straw to make it the coziest spot possible.

Is It Heated?

Many outdoor cat houses now come with heating pads so your outdoor cats can be warm enough during freezing weather. Some, however, do not come with a pad but do offer places to put cords so you can put one of your inside. When it comes to houses with heating pads, make sure you’re dealing with a cord that’s rated for outdoor use and one that’s chew-proof.

Otherwise, you could have a fire hazard on your hands. You’ll also want to be sure the heating pad is smaller than the floor of the house, so your cat has the option not to be on it. If you have multiple outdoor cats who aren’t opposed to snuggling, they should be fine without a heating pad as they can share body heat.

Is It Safe from Predators?

Cats that live outdoors will want to feel safe from predators. That means having a cat house with two entrances, so they aren’t cornered by raccoons, possums, or larger animals.

Is It Safe from Rain, Snow, and Other Extreme Weather?

A lot of outdoor cat houses will be water-resistant, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely waterproof. Likewise, good outdoor cat houses will protect from the cold, snow, and other elements, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be altogether weatherproof. Be aware of how much protection the house offers.

Plastic housing will be the most waterproof but may not offer the most protection from cold and wind. Wooden structures can protect from water and weather but may start to rot over time. Houses made from fabric will provide the least protection from the elements.

Where Will You Be Placing the House?

Where you’ll be placing your outdoor cat house is important. Depending on the material it’s made from, you might be better off putting it on a covered porch or on a carport rather than somewhere uncovered.

What Size Is the House?

Look closely at dimensions and how many cats can fit into a house before buying. Some structures may look large, but if you look closer, you’ll see there are weight recommendations for any cats who want to make use of them. You’ll also want to be sure that the house will fit in the location you’ve decided to put it in.

Is the House Elevated?

Houses that have some lift and aren’t placed directly on the ground will be better at keeping the cold and moisture.

Is It Easy to Put Together?

A lot of outdoor cat houses will be easy to put together, but others will require more assembly and the use of tools. Be sure to look into how a house is put together to ensure your handyman skill level matches up.

Is It Easy to Maintain?

You’ll want to keep your cat house nice and clean, so cats will want to continue using it. Be sure to check on how easy it is to clean a house before buying. Some houses will have machine-washable materials, while others may require removing parts to spray it down with a hose.

What Are People Saying About It?

Finally, we always recommend you look over product reviews before purchasing to see what others who have used the product are saying about it!

Conclusion

When it comes to finding the perfect outdoor cat house, you want to be confident it will provide the proper protection. For us, the best overall house is the K&H PET Products Outdoor Kitty House Cat Shelter, which offers heat and insulation, along with weatherproofing. The best cat house for the money is Love’s Cabin Outdoor Cat House, with a great price point and excellent durability.

Finally, if you’re looking for something just a bit extra, we recommend Aivituvin Outdoor Cat House with its 2-stories for rest and play. Whatever you’re looking for, we hope these reviews help you narrow down your choices!