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Cats love hanging out in boxes, but few of us want to make a beat-up mailing container part of our permanent living-room decor. Fortunately, we can meet our kitties halfway with these delightful cardboard cat houses, beds, and trees. Most of these double as scratchers, giving your cat exercise and helping them keep those claws healthy.
Before you invest in an elaborate cat tree, try out a cardboard cat house—they’re ideal as kitty starter homes. You can experiment with cardboard houses in various shapes and sizes to find out what your cat likes. You can easily move the lightweight domicile around the house to suit your own needs. Plus, when cat cardboard houses are worn out, you can recycle them with a clear conscience.
Cat Cardboard Houses Your Kitty Can Really Get Into
1. FluffyDream TV Cat Lounge
Is your cat cute enough to be on TV? Are you looking for a better way to channel their energy? This easy-to-assemble hideout measures 17 by 9 by 14 inches and has a scratcher floor your kitty can really get into.
Find on Amazon2. Smile Paws Cardboard Izakaya Bar Cat House
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 charming toys that are included. At 19 x 12 x 20 inches, it will hold even a sumo-size cat. Note: International shipping costs mean this house is on the pricey side.
Find on Amazon3. District 70 Sardine Cardboard Cat Scratcher Toy
Designed for cats of all sizes at 12 by 24 by 12 inches, this adorable cat house and scratcher made of sturdy cardboard wins accolades from cats and cat parents alike. It’s perfect for photo ops, and with front and back entrances, it makes an enticing playhouse. Be sure to check out all the color options!
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon4. Petique Feline Chateau and Scratcher
Assemble this multi-level chateau for your cat (or cats) and let the fun begin. Corrugated surfaces at every level will keep them busy scratching their house rather than yours. It has a 22 by 29-inch base and is 43 inches high.
Shop on Chewy Find on Amazon5. Tiger Tough Tiger Tent
This small A-frame tent features scratching mats on both sides of the roof and some very nap-worthy dark corners inside. It’s 18.7 by 12 by 18.5 inches. If the brown is too bland for your decor, check out the beautiful version in seagrass blue.
Shop on Chewy6. Tiger Tough Gingerbread House
A gingerbread house you can decorate with crayons, markers, and other pet-safe materials. And it comes with its own seasonal treat: a packet of catnip! It’s 15.35 by 14.96 by 14.57 inches.
Shop on Chewy Find on Amazon7. PrimePets Cat Scratch Lounge Sofa Bed
This cheery two-piece set has several arranging options, so your cat can scratch or nap to their heart’s content inside, underneath, and on top of the structure. The main portion is 12.99 by 10.43 by 6.69 inches.
Find on Amazon8. PMSBC Big Cat Scratcher Lounge
This substantive cardboard cat house is designed for multi-cat households and big cats. The large size measures a generous 23 by 12 by 12 inches and offers plenty of scratching surface to tear into—inside and out.
Find on Amazon9. Petique Feline Fortress Cat House
What’s better than a box? Three boxes! Whether your cats like to hang out together or you have one kitty who owns the whole place, the Feline Fortress is the perfect spot for staking out some territory and defending it. The Fortress boasts scratchable flooring on all levels; it sits at 26.75 by 26.75 by 26.75 inches.
Find on Amazon Discover on Chewy10. ScratchMe Cat Condo Milk Box
This spiffy milk carton cat house wins big points for sturdiness and easy assembly. At 13 by 12.6 by 22.4 inches (with a slanted top), it’s best for cats on the smaller side—especially ones who like to lurk in darkness. A cat scratcher insert adds to the appeal.
Find on Amazon11. Pawnie Winter Cardboard House
When a real estate agent calls it “cozy,” this is what they mean. Just enough space to climb in, snuggle up, and take a nap, at 19 by 18 by 9 inches. It comes with a bag of catnip (and is also available in plain brown).
Find on Amazon12. Kitty City Netflix Stranger Things Arcade Machine
Does your cat like to play games? This two-story arcade house will challenge them to level up to check out both scratching floors. They can hide in the bottom or hop up on the deck to lounge. This house is 15 by 16 inches at the base and 27 inches high. Shipping on this item sometimes takes a while, but we think it’s worth the wait.
Find on Amazon13. Cat Scratch and Play by ASPCA
In a house complete with windows and a chimney, the cat once again shows the dog how it’s done. This cardboard cat house is 19 by 17 by 13 inches.
Find on Amazon14. Troppipets Modern Cat Furniture
Tuck this kitty pod (with removable cushion) in amongst your house plants and Tiger will feel like they’re in the jungle. Note that this is just one of several charming cardboard containers for cats from Troppipets. This one measures 23 by 23 by 23 inches. (Check out the Starry Night and Tropical Island models, too!)
Find on Amazon15. Midlee Gingerbread Cardboard Cat Scratcher House
Your wicked kitty can spend the winter trying to lure Hansel and Gretel into this sweet pad with a scratcher base inside. The base measures 14 by 12 inches, and the whole cardboard house is 16 inches high.
Find on Amazon16. Seny Cardboard Cat House
This super-sturdy gabled cat house, complete with widow’s walk balcony, will make your cat feel like she’s back in New England. It measures 22 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 21 inches high.
Find on Amazon17. Upstreet Tunnel, Hideaway, Pyramid Shelter, Playhouse
These modern designs are boxes you and your cat can both enjoy. This comes as a two-pack; the hex tunnel is approximately 15 by 13 by 18 inches, and the pyramid is approximately 14 by 14 by 17 inches.
Find on Amazon18. American Cat Club Retro Van Cat House and Scratcher
Don’t let your kitty miss the bus! This cute and compact cardboard house with a scratcher floor is sure to become a favorite hideout. It’s cozy, at 16 by 8 by 12 inches, and it’s just one of a dozen amazing cat houses from American Cat Club—check out the Love Shack and the Television models.
Find on Amazon19. Octacat Contemporary Cardboard Cat Hideaway
This cardboard cat hideaway is inspired by origami. Your cat can sit in it or on it—or stretch out on the cardboard “cat carpet” that comes with it. The easy-to-assemble hideout measures 17 by 17 by 17 inches.
Find on Hauspanther20. Cat Castles: 20 Cardboard Habitats You Can Build Yourself Book
Are you the do-it-yourself type? This instruction book shows how to transform those cardboard boxes you have cluttering up your storage area into entertaining hangouts for your cat. Learn how to make cardboard trains, ships, food trucks, and more.
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