The Best Outdoor Heated Cat Houses
Feral or domesticated, cats love the outdoors. But as the temperature drops, the outdoors can be less forgiving to our feline friends. That's why we like heated cat houses. They provide your cat with a warm home base they can escape to when the snow starts to fall. There are a lot of options out there, but we think we've found a great selection for you to peruse. Take a look.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best heated cat houses for outdoor cats are durable, comfortable, and easy to assemble. For example, if you’re looking for a reliable, well-respected brand, you can’t go wrong with K&H’s outdoor kitty house. It’s well-made and insulated for cold nights. For those who want to ensure that puddles and rain water won’t bother their kitty, PETYELLA’s cat house features elevated feet. And you can’t deny that this cat house also has great curb appeal. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.
K&H Outdoor Kitty House
The gold standard
We all know K&H for its high-quality cat houses, so we’re not surprised that this one made the top of our list. For one, the 20-watt heat pad is powerful enough to keep your cat warm under sub-zero conditions. It’s also well-insulated, so if you have a feral cat coming around at night, you can rest assured that they’re safe and cozy. There are also two entryways, which should calm the nerves of most claustrophobic kitties. Overall, we think this is a solid choice for house and alley cats.
Pros:
- Assembling this cat house is easy as it’s connected together entirely with velcro.
- They’re very well-built and should last you for years when properly taken care of.
Cons:
- This cat house is weather resistant, but we wouldn’t leave this out in extreme weather situations.
PETYELLA Heated Cat House For Outdoor Cats
This cat house proves that you can be both cute and practical. First, let’s talk about the cute factor. PETYELLA’s heated house is available in a few different homey patterns: tile, wood, and brick. We’re not sure if the cats will enjoy the look as much as us, but we know they’ll love the heated interior. The included heat pad operates on a timer, which keeps your kitty safe and your energy bill down. And with its 16-foot extension cord, you can place this practically anywhere. Aside from heat, this cat house boasts an entirely waterproof roof and base.
Pros:
- We can’t stop talking about how much we love the patterns PETYELLA offers. They’re especially nice if you want to purchase additional cat houses for separate cats.
- We appreciate that there are two openings.
- The heating pad is removable for when the temperatures start to rise.
Cons:
- We like that a couple of transparent doors are included, but they’re pretty stiff and don’t hang perfectly parallel with the openings.
Furhome Collective Heated Cat House
Rise to the occasion
What good is an outdoor cat house if it gets too wet? That’s why we like Furhome Collective’s cat house. The sturdy 2-inch legs keep excess moisture from entering the house. And since the legs are plastic, you don’t need to worry about them rotting. The waterproof roof keeps rain from getting in, and, yes, the base is waterproof too. But let’s not forget about the included heating pad. It offers generous warmth, and the faux fur cover is wonderfully snuggly. Plus, the heating pad’s timer can stay on for up to 24 hours, which is ideal for cold nights and extreme temperatures.
Pros:
- Don’t let the cozy interior fool you. It’s quite durable and sturdy.
- Outside cats may take a while to get used to this house, but they’ll never leave once they do.
Cons:
- We wish they made this cat house just a little bigger so more cats could use it.
K&H Pet Products Two-Story Outdoor Kitty House
Level up
K&H strikes again with its two-story cat house. We think your kitties will love the generous space. After all, how many cat houses have their own dining room? Even better, the removable roof allows you to effortlessly refill their food and water bowls. And we can’t forget to mention the second level, which gives your cats some much-needed privacy. It’s a nice spot for them to observe their minions — us. But the star of the show has to be the orthopedic heating pad. Both the cord and the pad are built to withstand the elements and provide a safe amount of heat for your felines.
Pros:
- We love that there are four entryways so that your cats never feel trapped.
- The build quality of this cat house is quite impressive. It should last you for quite a while.
Cons:
- While this is for outdoor use, we would still keep this out of direct contact with extreme weather like thunderstorms and blizzards.
Rest-Eazzzy Cat House
Purr-fectly portable
This cat house touts plenty of features, given its compact size. First off, we found it to hold in warmth pretty well, thanks to its four layers of insulation. The material is also waterproof, and the elevated feet help keep the interior safe and dry. But we especially like the heat pad. Unlike other heat pads, you don’t have to adjust anything because it maintains a consistent (and safe) temperature. What’s more, the roof features a handle stitched on top, so you can move this cat house around with ease.
Pros:
- Since this cat house is so well-insulated, it can handle harsh cold weather.
- It’s durable and sturdy enough to handle feral cats.
- We love that you can collapse it for easy storage.
Cons:
- Assembly can be frustrating because not all the parts seamlessly fit the way they should.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since these cat houses are made for the outdoors, can I place them anywhere?
While outdoor cat houses are designed to withstand the elements, that doesn’t mean they’re impervious to extreme weather. We recommend placing the cat house somewhere that’s safe from excess moisture and sunlight.
Can I use my heated cat house during warmer months?
Most people will put away their heated cat houses when the temperature changes. However, if the heating pad is removable, you could still let your cats use the shelter. We’d recommend placing it in a shaded area.
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