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Best Cat Houses

Updated February 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Furhome Collective GENERATION 2 Outdoor Insulated
Furhome Collective
GENERATION 2 Outdoor Insulated
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Your kitty will love this elevated, heated, indoor/outdoor cat house that keeps them warm and dry during storms.

Pros

The roomy house with insulated walls for large cats offers shelter when it's cold outside. The simple birdhouse design makes it easy for your cat to go in and out. The heating pad gives them a nice cozy place to sleep, while waterproofing keeps it together through the elements.

Cons

Not much entertainment factor in this model, though it will stand up to basic cat behavior.

Best Bang for the Buck
Hey Brother Outdoor Heated A-Frame
Hey Brother
Outdoor Heated A-Frame
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Kitty Playground
Bottom Line

This cat tree has everything your cats need to have fun and relax with all their friends.

Pros

This option is like a playground for your furry friend thanks to 2 large cat caves, 2 plush perches, a hammock, and plenty of scratching posts and toys for up to 4 regular-sized cats to play with. Its highrise design means it doesn't take up too much space. Great for multi-cat homes.

Cons

The included wall strap doesn't fit some setups.

New Age Pet ecoFLEX Cat Washroom/Night Stand Pet House
New Age Pet
ecoFLEX Cat Washroom/Night Stand Pet House
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Best for Outdoor Use
Bottom Line

This ecoFLEX cat house was specifically designed for winter to withstand the elements outdoors.

Pros

There are 2 protected entry and exit points for your outdoor cat and its friends to stay dry. You don't need any tools to assemble this simple, sturdy cat condo. It's built from materials that won't attract bugs or rust, either. Perfect for outdoor cat owners who can't always watch their pets.

Cons

Not well-insulated despite its sturdy build.

Bedsure 2-Story Cat House
Bedsure
2-Story Cat House
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This cat bed has a covered cat cave on the bottom with a comfy bed on the top for their friends and family members.

Pros

This cat house with a scratching strip folds away when you don't need it. A fluffy ball on the doorway keeps them entertained while they sit inside or out. The pet-safe design won't harm them while they play in it. It's great for small apartments where there isn't always room for kitty's playtime.

Cons

The top isn't friendly toward heavier cats or multiple smaller cats.

Furhaven Luxury High-End Double
Furhaven
Luxury High-End Double
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Most Stylish
Bottom Line

Part cat condo, part hideout, part scratching post, and part play place with a design your cat will appreciate.

Pros

The 2-level house gives your cat enough room to explore and play around between relaxing in its customizable interior. The scratch pad with catnip keeps your cat scratching in the right places. It's durable through constant scratches and other playful habits.

Cons

It's not easy to setup. Some don't think that it snaps together well enough.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

33
Models
Considered
128
Consumers
Consulted
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Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best cat houses

Our furry friends are important members of our family, so of course we want to give them the best. Whether they live entirely indoors or spend some of their day outside, cats love to have a secure and comfortable place to nap. And though they stay under our roof, they love having a separate area to call their own.

It's no secret that cats are picky creatures, and that's part of why we love them. But because they’re so finicky, you must consider your options carefully before buying them something new. How do you pick out a cat house that your feline friend is going to love?

We've found the perfect kitty condos that your cat will adore — or at least use! If you’re ready to buy a house for your furry feline, please see the product list at the top of this page for descriptions of our favorite picks. If you’d like to learn more about cat houses before investing in one, the shopping guide below will tell you all you need to know about picking the right house to suit your cat.

Alternatively, are you looking for Best Cat Trees, instead? We've got you covered there, too. 

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Most experts agree that cat houses, cat trees, and other types of cat furniture enrich the lives of cats by providing an important outlet for their instinctual behaviors.

Why buy a cat house?

Cats will sleep anywhere — on the couch, on a pile of freshly laundered clothing, even on your laptop as you're trying to use it. So why should you buy your kitty a cat house to sleep in? Here are some compelling reasons:

  • Cats like to have a safe and secure place to rest. As Arden puts it, "Cats are both prey and predator. They do not like sleeping in the open where they are most vulnerable."

  • Houses that feature multiple levels provide cats, who are natural climbers, the chance to perch up high and survey their territory.

  • A cat house with built-in scratching surfaces helps keep claws trimmed and lets your kitty engage in her natural scratching behavior without ruining your furniture.

  • Outdoor cat houses provide shelter from the elements. This is especially important if you look after semi-feral cats who refuse to spend much (or any) time indoors.

Cat house types

Indoor

Designed for indoor use, these houses are often made of wood or plywood. Many are covered in carpet-like material to encourage scratching. An indoor house with a flat roof provides an additional place for your kitty to perch.

Outdoor

Outdoor cat houses are much like their indoor counterparts, but they're insulated and may have built-in heating. Most outdoor cat houses are waterproof, but you may come across some varieties that are not. These non-waterproof houses are presumably designed for placement under a porch or awning.

Tree

A cat tree is more than just a house. This type of cat furniture normally has several levels. Cat trees may feature a selection of platforms, ramps, toys, scratching posts, and holes to wiggle through. There may be an enclosed or open bed. A cat tree might be small with just a few levels. Or, it might be so big that it takes up the entire wall of a large room.

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Caution
Some cat houses do not arrive fully assembled. Pay attention to the product’s specs if this is an issue for you.
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Considerations

Material

Cat houses come in all kinds of materials, including the following:

  • Plastic

  • Treated wood

  • Carpeted plywood

  • Plush fabric

  • Canvas

Outdoor cat houses are usually made of either plastic or treated wood. Indoor models could be made from a variety of materials.

If durability matters most to you, consider a cat house made of wood or plywood.

Size

Some cat houses are fairly compact and obviously designed for just one cat to inhabit at a time. Larger houses are designed for multiple cats to share. If you prefer the latter, we recommend that you look for a house with more than one entrance.

Be sure to examine the dimensions of a potential purchase and measure those figures against your available space. Some manufacturers offer you a choice between several different sizes.

Style

To be frank, your cat probably won’t care much about the aesthetics of her new house. However, that doesn’t mean she won’t be picky. You might choose a lovely, tasteful cat house that perfectly matches your decor only to have your kitty completely snub it in favor of a cheap-looking fabric number.

You can find cat houses in numerous styles. There are basic plush models with pitched roofs (like little houses). There are fancy wooden houses that could easily pass for a high-end side table. Of course, you should pick a cat house that you like the look of — but be prepared to exchange it if your fur baby won’t go near it.

Color

You'll find cat houses in a range of colors, so pick one that you like. That said, it’s our opinion that you shouldn't focus too much on style over substance. If the cat house you buy doesn’t appeal to your cat, you’ve wasted your money. And we all know that they’re fickle creatures.

Extra features

Some cat houses come with excellent extra features built into them, such as scratching posts and hanging toys for your kitty to paw at.

But buyer beware: some “extra features” might sound good at first, but here at BestReviews, we question them. For example, a house with a built-in litter tray must be kept scrupulously clean in order for kitty to continue accepting it. You’d have to be extremely diligent about keeping it clean, else your cat might turn up her nose at it.

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Did you know?
What distinguishes a cat house from a cat bed? A cat house has a roof, four walls, and at least one entrance. A cat bed does not necessarily have any other extra features.
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BestReviews

Price

Cheap cat houses

A basic fabric cat house can cost as little as $10 to $15, but it won't be especially durable or provide any features or enrichment. It’s basically just a bed with walls.

Mid-range cat houses

You should be able to find a quality cat house or tree for somewhere around $80 to $100 — less if you're not worried about how attractive it looks.

Expensive cat houses

A top-quality wooden indoor or outdoor cat house or a particularly large and elaborate cat tree could set you back several hundred dollars. Some of the most luxurious cat houses on the market cost $100+.

"Indoor cat houses don’t need to withstand the elements. As such, you’ll find them in a wider range of materials, including plush fabric and canvas."
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Expert advice

  • Cats have favorite substrates, or textures. Some like cat houses made of recycled plastic exteriors while others prefer materials made of wood.

  • Today’s consumers tend to support eco-friendly cat houses made of recycled materials.

  • Seek a sturdy, large cat house with multiple openings to accommodate two or more cats. Cats are the original time sharers. Cat A will typically snooze on one place in the morning and Cat B will claim that spot in the afternoon.

  • Choose a house that affords your cat the space to turn around comfortably while he’s inside. Also make sure the opening is the right size for him to enter and exit easily.

  • So-called bargain cat houses lack durability and fail to provide protection for outdoor cats during inclement weather. Seek a house made of durable, weatherproof materials.
  • Cats spend a lot of time sleeping, so giving them a place to nap away from foot traffic can help them feel safer.
  • Some outdoor cat houses allow you to safely insert an electric heating pad during cold weather. The heating pad must be connected to a safe outdoor outlet that’s durable enough to resist clawing so as to prevent malfunction or even sparking a fire.
  • Many cats like being elevated off the floor, so consider a sturdy cat tree or house that offers two or three levels.
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Tree-style cat houses with multiple levels can be quite tall, even if they don’t take up much floor space.

FAQ

Q. Where should I place my cat house?

A. This is an important consideration, since improper placement of your cat house could result in your kitty snubbing it completely.

Arden offers some good advice on where to place your cat house:

"An indoor cat house should be placed away from foot traffic, in a corner or elevated area that allows the cat to survey her surroundings from a safe spot. An outdoor cat house should be positioned in a safe, secluded spot that prevents any surprise attacks by predators – or curious kids. Consider positioning an outdoor cat house against a wall, in the back corner of a fence, or near the entrance to the garage."

Q. Is there a way to encourage my cat to use his cat house?

A. Yes and no. While there are ways to gently suggest to your cat that he use his cat house, there's no way to make him do so if he's not interested. "Never force a cat to accept a cat house,” says Arden. “You can entice him by tossing in treats and providing cushiony bedding, but ultimately, it is the cat who will decide where he prefers to nap or sleep."

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