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If you’ve ever found your cat chilling in a cardboard box that needs to be recycled ASAP, you’re not alone. Cats have a thing for hanging out in boxes, but few of us want to make a beat-up mailing container part of our permanent living space. Fortunately, we can meet our kitties halfway with cardboard cat houses that are designed to be less of an eye-sore, offering felines a private hideaway that doubles as a scratcher to keep claws healthy.
Cardboard cat houses come in all shapes and sizes—and they’re relatively inexpensive, which means you can get a few seasonal options to swap in and out and keep your kitty entertained. When your cat is done, fold them up and tuck them under the bed, or recycle them to keep things green. They’re some of the best cat toys out there for both kitty and planet.
Best Diner: Boots & Barkley™ Double Decker Diner
Order up at the Feliner Diner! Open 24 hours a day, your cat will give this establishment a five-star review, thanks to two levels of scratch-pad flooring and lounge opportunity. According to Boots & Barkley, this retro diner is designed for rabbits as well, so if your cat has a bunny sibling, it’s a fun spot to share.
Dimensions: 16in L x 18in H x 18in W
Shop at TargetBest Truck: Frisco Ice Cream Truck
This Frisco ice cream truck is perfect for those sweltering days of summer. It’s sure to make you crave something sweet right meow, but if you play your cards right, your cat might cut you a deal on dessert. It’s a good size for most average adult cats and has two levels for your feline to chill.
Dimensions: 20.5in L x 18in H x 16.25in W
Shop on ChewyBest Yoga Studio: Frisco Yoga Studio
Let your pet unwind from their very difficult life with this zen yoga studio. It’s the perfect space for any cat to stretch, scratch, and purrfect their practice. We like its easy assembly for humans and the double-decker scratch pads for cats.
Dimensions: 15.25in L x 25in H x 14in W
Shop on ChewyBest TV: FluffyDream TV Cat Lounge
If your cat is the celebrity of your household, this vintage television design is fitting. They can star in their own TV special when lounging in a comfy nook, or sharpen their claws on both the interior and exterior, made from durable scratchboard.
Dimensions: 17in L x 14in H x 9in W
Shop on AmazonBest Ramen Bar: Smile Paws Cardboard Izakaya Bar
This cardboard cat hideaway, modeled after a Japanese Izakaya (drinks and snacks bar), is getting rave reviews for quality. Your cat can scratch the floor or sleep on it—or play with the included rope. Smile Paws also offers other cute houses in a Flower Shop, Pancake Shop, or Coffee Shop theme.
Dimensions: 20in L x 19in H x 12in W
Shop on AmazonBest Club House: American Cat Club House
Does your kitty enjoy baking biscuits? Enter this picturesque cat clubhouse, available on Amazon. Featuring a sweet design with a bakery and coffee shop, your cat can curl up inside this storefront. It’s easy to assemble and comes with catnip that can be sprinkled throughout the premises for extra excitement.
Dimensions: 36in L x 48in H x 36in W
Shop on AmazonBest Halloween: Thrills & Chills™ Haunted House
Get into spooky season with the Thrills & Chills Halloween Haunted House. It’s the perfect hideout for your little goblin or ghoul, complete with corrugated flooring to promote nail health and a hanging eyeball for your cat to bat to their heart’s content.
Dimensions: 16.2in L x 16in H x 15.2in W
Shop at PetSmartBest Holiday: Wondershop™ Gingerbread House
Even the Grinch-iest cat can find enjoyment in this cheerful gingerbread house. Not only does it make for festive home decor, but it’s also a spacious space for felines to lounge during the holiday season. It boasts a front and back entrance (nice for skittish kitties), scratchable flooring, and a whimsical wintertime design.
Dimensions: 16.62in L x 18.5in H x 17.75in W
Shop at TargetBest Modern: Conlun Cardboard Cat House
Conlun’s artsy cat houses are a stylish addition to any home. Their designs (which also come in Chessboard or Giraffe patterns) break the mold of traditional bland cat furniture and provide an engaging area for your feline to play. Featuring one circular entrance, two windows, catnip, and a scratch pad, these trendy tiny homes are a hit.
Dimensions: 13in L x 20in H x 12.6in W
Shop on AmazonBest Camper: Boots & Barkley™ Americana Cat Camper
Pack a picnic basket full of catnip and tuna treats as you assemble this camper. Available at Target, this cardboard cat house boasts two entrances, a scratch-friendly surface, and a design fitting for adventure cats everywhere.
Dimensions: 14.19in L x 14.19in H x 18in W
Shop at TargetBest Tudor: Frisco Tudor House
This elegant Tudor home is move-in ready! Its quaint and charming style is straight from a fairytale, beckoning your cat to cozy up in this comfortable dwelling right away. It’s got scratch-pad flooring for nail health and can be assembled in minutes.
Dimensions: 16.5in L x 20in H x 16.5in W
Shop on ChewyBest Two-Level: Tiger Tough Farmhouse Playground
Playful cats who require a bit of extra stimulation will love Tiger Tough’s Farmhouse Playground. It’s the ultimate cardboard cat house, with tons of room to snooze or play, plus catnip and four different toys included. This eco-friendly fortress keeps your cat occupied and can help deter them from scratching at your furniture.
Dimensions: 16.5in L x 31in H x 7.5in W
Shop on ChewyBest Burger Joint: Meow-N-Out Cardboard Cat House
Fans of In-N-Out Burger won’t be able to resist the hilarious Meow-N-Out house. Complete with a menu that includes hampurrgers and meowshakes, this drive-thru serves as a space for playful cats to work up an appetite or lazy cats to enjoy their food coma.
Dimensions: 16.5in L x 15in H x 12in W
Shop on ChewyBest Multi-Cat: MSBC Big Cat Scratcher Lounge
Are you a household with multiple cats? This durable cat scratcher lounge is created with you in mind. Designed to withstand larger kitties or numerous pets, it’s got plenty of surface to scratch, play, and relax. It’s also got two entrances and enough space for more than one cat to lounge at a time.
Dimensions: 12in L x 23in H x 12in W
Shop on AmazonBest Fort: Petique Feline Fortress
What’s better than a box? Three boxes! Whether you have a couple of cats who like to hang out together or just one kitty who runs the place, the Feline Fortress by PETIQUE is the perfect spot for staking out territory and defending it. This fortress boasts scratchable flooring and three levels to explore.
Dimensions: 26.75in L x 26.75in H x 26.75in W
Shop on ChewyBest for Small Cats: FluffyDream Milk Box Scratcher House
This spiffy milk carton house wins big points for sturdiness and easy assembly. It’s a great option for cats who are on the smaller side— especially ones who like to lurk in darkness. This snug home comes with a scratcher insert and is available in a cute chocolate milk version too.
Dimensions: 12.99in L x 22.44in H x 12.6in W
Shop on AmazonBest Home: ASPCA Hideaway Playhouse
This cozy cottage is available through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shop. Complete with windows, a chimney, and reversible scratcher flooring, this delightful house is the perfect place for your cat to enjoy their alone time.
Dimensions: 13in L x 17in H x 19in W
Shop on AmazonBest Pyramid: Troppipets Modern Cat Furniture
Tuck this little pod into your home as a place for your feline to unwind. While many cat houses act as a playground, this domain is most suitable for sleeping and resting. Place a blanket or pillow at the base, and let your kitty drift away to a starry dreamland.
Dimensions: 23in L x 23in H x 23in W
Shop on AmazonBest Steps: Frisco Modern House
This modern cat condo is very affordable for luxury living! While your furry feline may have full reign of your house, this prime real estate provides them with their own pad. These digs are complete with scratch-friendly flooring, airy windows, and a spacious interior.
Dimensions: 21.25in L x 16.25in H x 16in W
Shop on ChewyBest Cactus: Frisco Cactus Cat House
Store this cactus house alongside other houseplants and watch your kitty thrive. They can hole up in either level of this desert abode, which features corrugated flooring throughout. Your cat’s excitement will be in full bloom!
Dimensions: 23.42in L x 29.76in H x 14.29in W
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