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Do you have an outdoor cat or an indoor-outdoor cat that needs some protection from the weather? I’ve taken in quite a few strays and ferals, and outdoor cat houses have been essential in the process of transitioning those little guys from life on the streets to the life of a happy house cat.
In the past, I’ve rigged up several shelters using plastic containers. But then I came across some great commercial products for a variety of outdoor situations. Some focus on shelter from rain and sun, while others emphasize insulation and added heating pads for colder climates.
We’ve rounded up our favorite outdoor cat houses of all types—from lightweight weather-resistant models for warmer climates to heavy-duty weatherproof cat homes for snow and ice. If you’re new to outdoor cat homes, skip to our primer on how to pick, or get answers on protecting feral and neighborhood cats from the elements.
- Best for Multiple Cats: K&H Multi-Kitty Outdoor Heated A-Frame
- Best Aesthetic: New Age Pet Ecoflex Outdoor Cat House
- Best for Winter: K&H Original Outdoor Kitty House
- Best for Porches and Garages: K&H Mod Thermo-Kitty Shelter
- Best DIY Outdoor Cat Shelter: CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Outdoor Cat House
- Best Portable Shelter: The KatKabin
- Best Elevated: Frisco Outdoor Wooden Cat House
- Best Weatherproof: Petsfit Cat Shelter with Stair
- Best for Dogs and Cats: Merry Products Wood Dog and Cat House
- Best for Feral Cats: Kitty Tube Insulated Cat House
- How To Choose an Outdoor Cat House
- More About Feral and “Neighborhood” Cats
Best for Multiple Cats: K&H Multi-Kitty Outdoor Heated A-Frame
I’m a big fan of K&H Pet Products—the company started out making items for farm animals, and their domestic pet business has grown out of that. They know how to take care of animals living outdoors.
This A-frame house is cozy, sturdy, and waterproof. The 40-watt heated bed inside ensures that kitties are comfortable even in freezing temperatures (you can also get an unheated version). With a 20 by 20-inch floor, this house can comfortably fit two to three cats (depending on their size) and has two exits so they won’t feel trapped inside.
We think it’s an especially good pick for feral or neighborhood cats.
- Spacious 20 x 20 inch floor can comfortably fit two or three cats
- Two doorways prevent a cat from feeling trapped
- Choice of heated or unheated version
Best Aesthetic: New Age Pet Ecoflex Outdoor Cat House
This sturdy, weatherproof shelter has double-wall panels to help regulate the temperature inside. It’s made of Ecoflex, a non-toxic recycled wood and plastic polymer composite that resists cracking and rot, and it’s raised off the ground to allow ventilation.
Two entry/exit points mean that cats feel secure coming in, knowing that they’ll be able to make a quick exit if necessary. Assembly is simple and tool-free. If the multi-color “Mossy Oak” option doesn’t suit your yard, they also have plain beige models.
- An attractive addition to yard or patio
- Two doorways for easy exit
- Long-lasting wood/plastic structure
Best for Winter: K&H Original Outdoor Kitty House
The original K&H house is my top choice for individual outdoor cats, provided you can place the house in a sheltered area (such as a porch) where it’s safe from the wind. Made from 600-denier polyester, it’s water- and weather-resistant—and portable, in case you want to reconfigure your cat shelter arrangement.
It has two entrance/exit doors with removable clear door flaps. One of the best features is that it’s easy to take down, put up, or clean, thanks to the durable hook-and-loop fastener strips that hold it together. The heated models have a well-protected cord. Both versions come in several cute color combinations and patterns (cabins, barns, etc.) as well as in plain olive green.
- Lightweight and portable
- Opens and folds for easy cleaning and storage
- Choice of heated or unheated version
Best for Porches and Garages: K&H Mod Thermo-Kitty Shelter
This simple zip-together mod pod with a removable heating pad is ideal for keeping an outdoor cat warm and sheltered on a porch or in a garage or carport. The nylon pod is water-resistant, so could be used in a damp or snowy area. The heating pad fills half the pod, providing the cat with a safe choice of a heated or unheated bed.
Note that this pod is fairly small (21.5 inches long and 13 inches wide) and that it does not have a rear escape door (the front door has a removable plastic flap). It’s a better fit for single cats who prefer cave-style beds and cozy spaces than space-loving or feral cats.
- Cozy design, sized for one cat
- Safe for damp (but sheltered) areas, such as a porch
- Removable heating pad
Best DIY Outdoor Cat Shelter: CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Outdoor Cat House
This heavy-duty cedar outdoor cat house comes in two sizes, and the larger size gets enthusiastic reviews from buyers. It’s made of weather-resistant western red cedar, with half-inch-thick thermal-ply construction. The large size has an 18-by-19-inch interior and can be equipped with your own outdoor heating pad.
The raised design will help protect your kitty from snow and rain. If you’re concerned about predators, you can ask to have a second door (with an optional plastic flap) added to the house with your order. Everything ships unassembled, so get out your tools.
This cat shelter strikes us as comparatively pricy, but purchasers leave rave reviews.
- Sturdy and durable
- Elevated design keeps the shelter warm and dry
- Keep in mind that this requires a fair amount of assembly with tools
Best Portable Shelter: The KatKabin
This cheerful and cute shelter gets mixed reviews. It’s outstanding for sheltering cats from the elements, and purchasers say it’s highly durable and easy to maintain. But it’s not designed for keeping a cat warm in winter (though you can purchase a KatKabin with an insulation insert).
At 22 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 14 inches high, this is definitely a cozy and compact shelter. It’s likely best for indoor-outdoor cats that are comfortable using a plastic cat flap to enter a shelter.
- Attractive, small-footprint design for a porch or patio
- Easy-to-clean exterior
- Note: Not heated
Best Elevated: Frisco Outdoor Wooden Cat House
If you live in a rainy area, an elevated outdoor cat shelter is a must. This new model from Frisco has legs to keep the shelter off the damp grass or pavement, ensuring the floor of the shelter stays dry for your kitty and their bed.
The slanted PVC roof channels rain away from the shelter, keeping the cat dry and the wood structure in good condition. The sturdy cat house weighs 18 pounds and measures a spacious 25 x 24 x 25 inches. The roof lifts open for easy access so you can keep the shelter clean.
- Ideal for exposed locations
- Large enough for multiple cats
- Note: Not heated
Best Weatherproof: Petsfit Cat Shelter with Stair
This sweet-looking cat house is weatherproof and made of sturdy, painted cedar. The elevation protects it from flooding, and two doors mean that kitties feel safer with an escape route available—the back door has a plastic flap, and the front door has an overhang to keep out the weather.
Large enough to fit up to three medium-sized cats, this house may look complex but is really a cinch to assemble. It’s not insulated, so it’s likely a better choice for sheltering outdoor cats from rain and wind than for use in extremely cold climates. Available in gray or barn red.
- Designed to withstand the elements
- Houses up to three cats
- Some assembly required
- Note: Unheated
Best for Dogs and Cats: Merry Products Wood Dog and Cat House
This natural cedar structure is an attractive addition to your yard and a comfortable shelter for outdoor cats (and dogs, as you can see). A removable roof makes the house easy to clean, and it’s raised to protect it from flooding, though reviewers report that the exposed open door will admit some rain.
Buyers report that assembly is easy, and their outdoor cats take to the house (with a generous 26-by-29-inch interior) immediately—you could shelter an entire family of cats in this one.
- Natural cedar will weather to an attractive gray
- Raised to keep the interior dry
- Note: Unheated
Best for Feral Cats: Kitty Tube Insulated Cat House
This spacious shelter is designed to keep two or three cats (or a mama cat and a litter of kittens) warm in the winter or cool in the summer. It features built-in lifting handles that allow ventilation in the summer and has fully insulated walls, roof, and floor.
The new Gen 4 model features a thicker, better-insulated floor and a washable pillow. While the narrow entrance is designed to discourage dogs from getting in, note that it lacks a back door to enable cats to make an escape.
Live in a cold region? The Kitty Tube company makes an insert that can be used to double the amount of insulation. It’s also environmentally friendly and made in the U.S. from post-consumer recycled materials.
- Designed specifically to house outdoor and feral cats
- Small size and generous insulation keeps cats warm
- Note: Unheated
Choosing an Outdoor Cat House
When it comes to an outdoor cat house, you want one that will hold up to the elements—but what “the elements” entail will vary depending on where you live. Some outdoor cat houses are weather-resistant—those are best used on a porch or in a carport. Others are completely weatherproof and can stand up to heavy winds and even snow.
Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping:
- Primary purpose: Are you trying to keep a cat warm, or are you merely giving them shelter from the elements? A large structure with good ventilation is ideal for shelter from sun and rain. But for warmth, look for a smaller, cozier shelter with a plug-in electric heating pad or a great deal of insulation in the walls, ceiling, and floors.
- Durability: For an outdoor cat house that will last, you want to match the materials with the location—some houses need to be placed in a dry or sheltered area, while others can be right out there in the wind and rain. A slanted roof will keep rain from puddling, and an elevated base will keep moisture from seeping in.
- Size: Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to cat houses. This is especially true if you are in a cold climate and using an insulated but unheated shelter (often the best option for feral cats that do not want to be near a house). That’s because a cat’s body heat can warm a small shelter—but it won’t be enough to keep them cozy in a larger one.
- Heating pads: Some of the more durable shelters are available with and without a heating pad. If you are housing multiple cats in a relatively temperate climate, they can probably keep each other warm, given good insulation. If you opt for heat, be prepared to deal with electrical cords—any extension cords must be outdoor-rated. The heating pad should also be smaller than the floor of the house so your cat can choose to be on the pad or off.
- Type of assembly: How much time are you willing to spend putting together an outdoor shelter? Some outdoor houses pop up and plug in quickly. Others require assembly or special electrical connections—but they may be worth it for extra features, such as stability and heat.
- Escape hatches: Ideally, your outdoor cat house will have both a front and a back door. This gives your cat a chance to escape if it is cornered by another cat or a larger predator.
Cynthia Shirk via iStock
More About Feral and “Neighborhood” Cats
There’s nothing more upsetting than seeing a skittish, straggly-looking cat out in your backyard in the freezing rain and snow. While the ideal is to catch the stray kitty and scan for a microchip, the most immediate concern is getting the cat sheltered and fed.
If the cat is willing to come onto your porch, or into a carport, just about any of the shelters we’ve talked about in this article will be a great choice for immediate shelter. If the cat is so skittish that it’s staying out in the yard, select one of the weatherproof shelters—or a small outdoor doghouse, raised up on blocks. Some, though not all, feral cats prefer a shelter with two doors so they can escape if a predator enters.
If an outdoor shelter is unheated, experts caution against putting in folded towels or blankets (those will absorb the cat’s body heat). Better to put in straw the cat can burrow into or add an inexpensive self-warming (heat-reflecting) pad with Mylar in the interior.
How We Chose
The outdoor cat houses featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized outdoor cat houses that offer durability, safety, and effective shelter from the elements. We’re also guided by the experience of taking care of some beautiful outdoor cats, who are always clear and direct with their feedback.
Need Pet Sitting?
When you can’t keep an eye on your indoor/outdoor kitty, Rover’s pet-sitting services are ready to pitch in to help keep your cat safe.
