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These purrfect weatherproof picks will keeps cats safe and dry.
Whether you adopted a cat that spends most of their time outdoors, or a feral cat has decided to adopt you, setting up the proper housing situation will keep them comfortable all year round. For those who live in colder climates, heated cat houses with door flaps help keep kitty nice and cozy, while light-colored houses are better for warmer climates to help maintain a good temperature inside. While having an outdoor cat means you don't have to worry about litter boxes (even though there are some pretty cool self-cleaning litter boxes out there now) or finding the right vacuum to suck up all their hair, you'll still want to invest in some great cat food, a few cat toys and water bowls.
The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests pet products to recommend only the best ones that keep your feline friends as comfy as possible. We spoke with Megan Conrad, MBBS, a veterinarian at Hello Ralphie and associate vet at WellHaven Pet Health to help you find the right house for you. She shared the extra features and materials (like heating pads and extra perches) to pay attention to. "They should be resistant to heat and cold and should provide adequate shelter from the elements," she said. Our product experts looked through countless five-star options, sifted through the reviews and spoke with pet experts to find the best outdoor cat houses in 2022, according to vets and reviewers.
At the end of this guide, stick around to read more about what to consider when picking the right cat house, how we chose our picks and extra features you may want to think about.
Keep kitty (and a friend) warm and dry with this cat house featuring a scratching pad and a second-floor roofed-in porch. We appreciate the sturdy materials this house is made from which should help this house stand up to the elements throughout all the seasons. "Asphalt roofing is an effective protectant against the rain, and the house itself should be made of weatherproofed, sturdy wood," says Dr. Conrad, and both features are found in this kitty abode. According to the brand, it also includes an escape door (cats can go out but no other critters can get in) so your feline friend won't get trapped. A windproof front door flap should protect against the elements and a raised floor will help it keep dry during a rainstorm. Online reviewers have found this house to be sturdy-feeling and exceptionally easy to assemble.
If you have a feral cat that's decided you're their new parent, this outdoor cat house could be their perfect home. According to the brand, ecoFLEX, the plastic-wood polymer composite is resistant to rot and warping and should never crack or attract bugs. We appreciate that you can simply rinse this house clean with a hose, and we like that the house features more than one door (although both can be accessed from the outside as well as the inside, unlike an escape door). One online reviewer said, "It took five minutes to put together; instructions were so simple," and "It's really nice looking and won't look like an eyesore in your garden." Some users have noted that some cats are deterred by the vinyl door flaps, while others have added additional insulation to keep up with extreme weather.
This heated cat house will keep cats nice and toasty even during snowfall (but keep an eye out for heavy snow that can block the entrance and trap your cat inside). This house has two exits with removable door flaps and comes with a heated cat bed with a removable and washable cover. The water-resistant nylon and vinyl walls and roof should keep harsh weather out but can become saturated if the house is left exposed. It's best to situate this one on a porch, in a garage or somewhere covered — be mindful that you'll also need access to an outlet. Online reviewers note that this house feels sturdy and holds up well during winter months as long as it's under some sort of covering.
The heating pad heats up when the cat is inside and turns off when they leave. It won't overheat them since it's set to match the cat's body temperature. If you have more than one kitty companion, the larger multi-kitty version of this house is great for two cats, larger cats or those that like their space. Since it isn't made of wood or asphalt, the brand notes that the roof can't hold up kitty's weight, so if your cat tends to sunbathe on the roof of the house this might not be the best option for them.
If you've got a whole cat family, this multilevel cat house can keep the whole colony warm and dry. With a variety of cozy cubby holes, secondary escape routes and perches for sunbathing, this veritable cat mansion will have all the kitties on the block coming to your yard. Dr. Conrad specifically recommends cat houses made of sturdy wood paneling and an asphalt roof like this one. It's elevated above the ground so you don't have to worry about the floor getting damp from leftover rain or snow, and the roof boards can easily be removed to help make cleaning up a breeze. The brand recommends you add some cat heating pads for winter weather and to put the house under some type of cover in areas with strong rain. Online reviewers note that it's sturdy and has plenty of room for multiple cats to relax. If you live in a climate with heavy seasonal weather, online reviewers recommend adding weatherproof paint, especially if the house isn't under cover.
While this outdoor cat house may look a little strange, it'll keep cats warm and dry all winter long. The Kitty Tube is made of post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, according to the brand's website, and it's designed to keep your cat protected from all the elements. Unlike other outdoor houses, this one only has a single door to ensure the inside is as warm as possible. While purchasing, you can choose to add a double insulation layer, custom pet pillow or pet heating pad to keep your furry friend toasty and warm. Although this house isn't raised off the ground, it features thick bottom insulation to keep it from being too chilly. The brand also notes that up to three cats can be housed in each Kitty Tube, and unique features like their lid vents help keep the interior dry all year round. Online reviewers found that almost no rain was able to make it inside the tube through the door, and say it is to remove the top of the tube and clean or air-dry the house.
For all those house-dwelling kitties that like to get a little fresh air, an outdoor catio may be the answer. "Catios are meant to be an outdoor enrichment environment for otherwise indoor cats," explains Dr. Conrad. "They do not protect against rain, wind or snow." This catio features an asphalt roof (a feature Dr. Conrad recommends) to help keep the enclosure protected from sun and light drizzles, two cozy homes for sleeping and a bunch of platforms for lounging, jumping and playing. The mesh walls are great for letting your cat experience the great outdoors without worrying about them wandering away, getting caught by predators or otherwise putting themselves in danger. Online reviewers appreciate that the enclosure was well packaged and found that as long as it was assembled properly, there were no issues with breakage or sturdiness.
The Good Housekeeping Institute reviews pet products of all kinds, from pet cameras to help you keep an eye on your furry friends to the best cat litter for a clean and odor-free litter box. Our experts scoured top-rated picks and reviews to ensure we only suggest the best outdoor cat houses to our readers and their kitties. We consider stability, ease of assembly, texture, materials and more when choosing our favorite picks. We also considered houses for different climates and looked at weatherproofing and insulation factors. We spoke with a vet to get a better understanding of the right materials for outdoor cat houses, how to protect against extreme weather and additional features you should look for. These picks are made up of our product pros' and vet's favorites and popular brands with rave reviews from real pet parents.
✔️ Number of cats: Don't forget to look at the recommended number of cats per house in the product information. One of Dr. Conrad's number one rules: "Make sure the house is big enough to accommodate the number of animals that are to be housed there." Smaller houses can be budget-friendly and great for a solo cat, but you'll want to spring for something a bit bigger if you've got more than one feline.
✔️ Climate: For warmer climates, Dr. Conrad suggests finding a lighter-colored house to help "reflect heat and keep the indoors cooler." For colder climates, she notes that flaps on the doors can help keep heat in and moisture, rain and snow out.
✔️ Ease of cleaning: If you've got a cat living in one of these outdoor houses for an extended period, chances are that it will need a good cleaning. Some houses have removable roofs or are made of materials that can be simply hosed down. Extra features like a removable floor make cleaning up after your cat that much easier, says Dr. Conrad.
✔️ Additional features: Dr. Conrad recommends outdoor cat houses with perches for pets that like to watch the world around them. Heating pads are great for keeping cats warm during colder nights and some houses feature additional exits to avoid trapping cats inside if a predator enters through the front door.
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a pet parent needs, including outdoor cat houses. In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of journalism experience to the Institute, having reviewed products for Good Housekeeping like pet GPS trackers and cooling dog beds.
Jamie interviewed veterinarian expert Megan Conrad, MBBS, a veterinarian at Hello Ralphie and associate vet at WellHaven Pet Health.