As a devoted cat owner, providing a comfortable and safe environment for your feline friend is a top priority.
One essential item to consider is a cat house, which offers a designated space where your cat can rest, play, and feel secure.
With so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect cat house.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore why you might need a cat house, discuss important factors to consider when selecting one, recommend the 10 best cat houses and provide maintenance tips.
Let’s dive in and ensure your cat finds their dream home!
1. Why You Might Need a Cat House?
Cats are naturally curious creatures that require a space of their own to retreat, relax, and engage in their instinctual behaviors.
Here are some compelling reasons why you might need a cat house for your companion:
Security and Comfort: Cat houses provide a secure and comfortable haven where your cat can seek refuge, away from potential dangers or disruptions in your household.
Territory and Ownership: By providing a cat house, you create a defined space that allows your cat to establish territory, providing a sense of ownership and reducing potential conflicts with other pets.
Enrichment and Stimulation: A cat house can be equipped with various features like scratching posts, perches, and hideouts, offering mental and physical stimulation that enhances your cat’s overall well-being.
Weather Protection: If your cat spends time outdoors, a cat house provides shelter from harsh weather conditions, ensuring your pet remains dry and warm.
2. What to Look for in a Cat House?
When selecting a cat house, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure your cat’s comfort and safety.
Here are key aspects to keep in mind:
Size and Design: Choose a cat house that offers ample space for your cat to move, stretch, and relax comfortably. Consider the design features such as multiple levels, ramps, or hiding spots based on your cat’s preferences.
Material and Durability: Opt for a cat house made of sturdy and non-toxic materials that can withstand scratching, jumping, and regular use. Easy-to-clean materials like wood or plastic are recommended.
Ventilation: Adequate airflow is crucial to prevent the cat house from becoming stuffy. Look for models with proper ventilation systems to ensure your cat can breathe comfortably.
Accessibility: Check if the cat house has easy entry and exit points, especially for older cats or those with mobility issues. Consider adjustable or removable ramps for added convenience.
Stability: A stable cat house is essential to prevent accidents or injuries. Look for models with a solid base or those that can be secured to the ground.
3. The 10 Best Cat Houses
K&H Pet Products Original Outdoor Heated Kitty House – Best for Kitten
Amazon
Key features:
PROTECTION: Our cozy cat unheated house is the perfect home for protecting outdoor cats, community cats, and feral catsWEATHER RESISTANT: Keep all cats of any shape and size protected and comfortable in this easy-to-assemble, weather resistant, insulted cat shelterNEVER TRAPPED: The two 6″ x 8″ exits provide multiple escape routes from predators and include removable clear door flaps to protect cats from the harsh outdoor elementsEASY ASSEMBLY: This K&H cat house is designed to arrive flat for easy storage and assembles in minutes with no tools requiredUSES: Perfect for cats that prefer to sleep in garages, porches, barns, or even in your home
Dimension: 18 x 22 x 17 inches; 5.15 Pounds
Material: Polyester
ProsConsEasy to assembleSturdinessWeatherproofNot suitable for cat large breed
Furhaven Large Pet House Collapsible Ottoman-Footstool Condo Pet Bed
Key features:
COMFORT AS PRIORITY: The enclosed design creates a cozy and inviting retreat that promotes comfort, security, and privacy; helps anxious pets feel safe, and is great for dogs and cats that love to curl up and cuddle in their sleepMULTIPURPOSE: The ottoman can support up to 130-pounds of static weight, and can be used as a pet house, footstool, or as storage for toys, pillows, and blankets; a great addition to your living roomPERFECT FOR TRAVEL: Collapsible and foldable for portability and easy storage, making it an ideal accessory for travel and visits to friends and familyEASY CARE: The cat house is easy to clean; for more specific care instructions, please refer to the hang tag and/or seam label if applicableCUSTOMER ASSURANCE: Comes with a 90-Day Limited Coverage against material defects and may also qualify for our 60-Day Worry-Free program.
Dimension: 15″D x 15″W x 25.5″H
Material: Polyester
ProsConsComfortEasy to assembleValue for moneyEasy to clean
Amazon Basics Collapsible Cube Cat Bed, 15 x 15 x 17 Inches, Grey
Amazon
Key features:
Cube-shaped cat house offers kitty a fun, relaxing place to lounge, hide, and play
Suede side and bottom; cozy sherpa top with a soft suede raised-border edge for added structure and comfort
Interior den-like hiding space for napping; circular cut-outs promote interactive play
Easy to assemble; collapsible design allows for space-saving storage; wipes clean; the stylish shade of Grey coordinates well with almost any decor
Measures 15 by 15 by 17 inches (LxWxH); weighs 7.2 pounds; backed by an Amazon Basics 1-year limited warranty
Dimension: 15″D x 15″W x 17″H
Material: Suede
ProsConsEasy to assembleSturdinessComfortValue for moneySmall size, suitable for a small cat breed
K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Cat House Extra-Wide
Key features:
PROTECTION: Our cozy cat-heated house measures 21.5″ x 26.5″ x 15.5″; the perfect home for protecting multiple cats, large cats, or cats that just need a little extra room.WEATHER RESISTANT: Keep all cats of any shape and size protected and comfortable in this easy-to-assemble heated, weather resistant, insulted cat shelter.STAY WARM: The featured 20-watt MET Safety Listed plush heated cat bed inside the K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty House keeps your kitties warm — even in sub-zero temperatures.NEVER TRAPPED: The two exits provide multiple escape routes from predators and include removable clear door flaps to protect cats from harsh outdoor elements.MULTI-USE: Perfect for cats that prefer to sleep in garages, porches, barns, or even in colder parts of the house providing a nice cat cave with a cat warming pad inside.
Dimension: 21.5″D x 26.5″W x 15.5″H
Material: Polyester
ProsConsEasy to assemble Easy to cleanSturdinessWeatherproof Consider hot weather
New Age Pet ECTH350 ecoFLEX Albany Outdoor Feral Cat House, Multicolor
Amazon
Key features:
Made with ecoFLEX, the Albany will never fade, warp, splinter, crack, rot, or succumb to bugs
Two entry/exit points that outdoor cats need
Easy, no-tools-required assembly
Durable, strong, “guaranteed tough”!
Weather-proof, bug-proof, and rot-proof.
Dimension: 19.1″D x 21.8″W x 20.2″H
Material: Plastic-wood polymer
ProsConsDurabilityEasy to assembleSturdinessLightweightPlastic dog home Traditional style
Furhaven Farmhouse Multi-Level Cat Scratcher Hideout w/ Catnip
Key features:
DESIGNED FOR CATS: The cat scratcher features a two-level housing design that provides an enclosed space for your favorite kitty to lounge in and scratch away in relative comfort and privacy; it also comes with detachable toys for entertainment.CUSTOMIZABLE: This cardboard cat house comes with a blank interior and exterior so cats and owners can decorate the walls and space to their heart’s content.SCRATCH PAD: The corrugated surface carries the rough, bark-like texture of a tree to better satisfy your cat’s scratching needs; apply the included catnip along the surface to entice your kitty to the scratcher and away from expensive furniture.DURABLE: The dense corrugated cardboard scratch surface is double-walled with varying thicknesses for increased durability, which makes Furhaven cat scratchers last longer than other cheaply-produced brands.
Dimension: 16.5″D x 27.5″W x 31″H
Material: Cardboard
ProsConsEasy to assembleValue for moneySturdinessDurabilityCardboard material
K&H Pet Products Multi-Kitty A-Frame Outdoor Cat House Chocolate 35 X 20.5 X 20 Inches Heated
Amazon
Key features:
MULTIPLE CATS: Our cozy cat-heated house measures 35″ x 20.5″ x 20″; the perfect home for protecting multiple outdoor cats, community cats, and feral cats, keeping cats warm from outdoor freezing cold temperatures.WEATHER RESISTANT: Keep all cats of any shape and size warm, protected, and comfortable in this easy-to-assemble heated, weather-resistant, insulted cat shelter.STAY WARM: The featured 40-watt MET Safety Listed plush heated cat bed inside the K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty House keeps your kitties warm — even in sub-zero temperatures.NEVER TRAPPED: The two exits provide multiple escape routes from predators and include removable clear door flaps to protect cats from harsh outdoor elements.MULTI-USE: Perfect for cats that prefer to sleep in garages, porches, barns, or even in colder parts of the house providing a nice cat cave with a cat warming pad inside.
Dimension: 20.5″D x 35″W x 20″H
Material: Polyester
ProsConsEasy to assembleComfortEasy to cleanSturdinessHeated styleSmall size
TRIXIE Cat Home with Balcony, Elevated Cat House
Key features:
The perfect home for your cat or small dog; the indoor lounging area and a rooftop balcony so they can enjoy the view.
A pet home stylish enough for indoors and durable to use outsides; constructed of weatherproof Fir Wood to give small pets a safe and comfortable place to rest.
Durable construction for long-lasting durability; raised floor for air circulation; water-resistant finish to stay dry.
You can turn it into an indoor bunk bed; add small comfortable bedding inside and on top; compact to save on floor space.
Dimension: 17.7″D x 17.7″W x 25.6″H
Material: Wood
ProsConsEasy to assembleSturdinessSmall size
ZSEDP Solid Wood Cat House 2-Stories, with Indoor Lounge Space, Indoor/Outdoor, and Fun Entrances, Catio
Amazon
Key features:
– LARGE CAT HOUSE: This outdoor cat house offers two floors of outdoor comfort and fun for your furry friends.
– OUTDOOR & INDOOR: The cat houses for indoors feature an openable asphalt roof and the treated paint to hold up during light weather conditions, making it an excellent choice for indoors and outdoors.
– FUN ENTRANCES: This outside cat enclosure has front and side doors, jump platforms, an escape door, and a hole in the floor to provide cats with exciting ways to get around the house for play or relaxing time.
– OPENABLE ROOF: This roof of the outside cat house has a stand so you can prop out the ceiling, so it’s easier to clean inside and proves more ventilation.
Dimension: 30.75″ L x 21.75″ W x 35.75″ H, Suitable for cats under 10 lbs.
Material: Wood
ProsConsLarge sizeOutdoor & Indoor catsWeatherproof Expensive
Cat Cube Cozy Cat House
Key features:
Curious Cat Cube, cat condo/ cat house measures 15.5 inches W x 15.5 inches L x 16.5 inches when assembled, features gray color/ geometric designer print
Strong/sturdy construction, the cat hide-out is fast to assemble & collapses flat when not in use for easy storage & travel
Cat hide-away includes a plush hanging ball with inches hide & seek inches cut-outs to promote play, a nice private den creates a fun cat hide-out & a comfortable cushioned top promotes relaxation for your pet cat
Curious Cat Cube, cat house/cat condo is a great retreat for cats & small dogs, entry-way measures 7.3W x 10H inches
Dimension: 15.1″D x 15.1″W x 16.5″H
Material: Polyester
ProsConsEasy to assembleEasy to foldStabilitySturdinessSmall size
4. Tips for Maintaining a Cat House
To ensure that your cat house remains a clean and inviting space for your feline friend, regular maintenance is essential.
Here are some valuable tips to help you keep your cat house in optimal condition:
Regular Cleaning: Establish a cleaning routine to remove any accumulated dirt, hair, or debris from the cat house. Use pet-friendly cleaning products and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Odor Control: Use odor-neutralizing products or natural remedies to combat any unpleasant odors that may develop over time. Regular ventilation and the use of cat-friendly deodorizers can help maintain a fresh-smelling environment.
Pest Prevention: Take preventive measures to keep pests, such as fleas or mites, away from your cat’s house. Regularly check and treat your cat for parasites, and keep the surrounding area clean and free of potential infestation sources.
5. Conclusion
Selecting the perfect cat house for your feline friend is an important decision that can greatly enhance their overall well-being.
By providing a safe and comfortable space tailored to your cat’s needs, you create an environment where they can thrive physically and mentally.
Remember to consider factors such as size, design, durability, and accessibility when choosing a cat house.
Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning will ensure that the cat house remains a cozy retreat for your beloved pet.
Invest in a high-quality cat house, and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that your feline companion has a dedicated space to call their own.
Start the journey to the perfect cat house today!
