Are you worried about your cat sleeping outdoors or want to help out feral cats? Investing in one of the best outdoor heated cat houses can provide a safe, warm shelter. Cats are a hardy bunch, but even outdoor cats need protection. Cold weather can leave your feline friend susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, and sleeping outdoors also means being vulnerable to predators.
An outdoor heated cat house gives your cat a safe, comfortable, and familiar space to sleep and relax while encouraging them to stay close to you. For cat lovers without pets, outdoor heated cat houses also offer a warm, safe space for feral cats, and take away the need to seek shelter in unsafe places.
Keep reading for our top five recommendations for different outdoor heated cat houses and their pros and cons.
The K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty House Cat Shelter offers warmth and protection for outdoor cats. It features dual exits with removable flaps, a heated bed, and water-resistant construction. Easy to assemble, it’s perfect for cold weather, providing a cozy, safe space for your cats.
The K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty House Extra-Wide Cat Shelter provides a spacious, heated refuge for multiple outdoor cats. With dual exits and removable flaps, it offers safety from predators, while the MET safety-listed heated bed keeps your pets warm. Made from water-resistant materials, it’s easy to assemble and perfect for barns, garages, or porches. Ideal for cold weather protection.
The Clawsable Elevated Outdoor Waterproof Heated Cat House offers warmth and protection in harsh weather. Its waterproof, elevated design keeps your cat dry and cozy, while the insulated interior retains heat. Easy to assemble with a machine-washable cover, it’s perfect for porches, garages, or barns. Comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
The K&H Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty A-Frame House provides a warm, weather-resistant shelter for multiple cats. Featuring a MET safety-listed heated bed and dual exits with removable flaps, it offers both comfort and protection. The durable A-frame design is easy to assemble and ideal for outdoor use in barns, garages, or porches, keeping your cats cozy in any weather.
The Toozey Elevated Weatherproof Heated Pet House offers warmth and protection for outdoor pets. Its waterproof, insulated design with an elevated base keeps your cat dry, while the 40-watt UL-tested heating pad ensures safe warmth. This easy-to-assemble house is perfect for cats and small dogs in porches, garages, or barns, featuring a removable flap for easy access and a chew-proof cord for added safety.
If you have an indoor cat, take a look at our list of the best cat electric blankets and heating pads to help them through the cold winter months!
Top Picks
- Best For Small Cats – K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House Cat Shelter
- Best For Large Cats – K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Extra-Wide Cat Shelter
- Best For Feral & Barn Cats – Clawsable Elevated Base Heated Cat House
- Best Multi-Cat Pick – K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty A-Frame House
- Best Aesthetics Pick – Toozey Elevated Weatherproof Heated Pet House
Also in this article
Best For Small Cats: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House Cat Shelter
The K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House Cat Shelter is ideal for small & medium-sized cats. It comes from a renowned brand with 20 years of experience in making top-rated pet products – and this one is no exception!
Key features:
- 22 x 18 x 17 inches
- 2.65kg
- 7 adorable designs
- Water-resistant
- 600 denier nylon
- Vinyl backing
- 2 doors
- Detachable roof & flaps
- Fleece-lined heating pad
- MET listed & low power
- Machine washable cover
- Tool-free assembly
What we like: It comes in seven adorable designs, including black & grey, black & red, black & olive, and camouflage, as well as super cute cottage, barn, and log cabin designs. Assembly is straightforward with simple zips and hook & loop fasteners, and it has two exit doors for ultimate safety.
The roof and door flaps are removable for quick access and easy cleaning, and it’s made from strong, water-resistant 600 denier nylon with vinyl backing. The fleece-lined heating pad is MET safety-listed and low-power at 20 watts, so you don’t need to worry about it significantly impacting your energy bills.
It also has a soft, cozy, machine-washable cover and all of their heated products come with info on how to test them safely, so you can go to sleep knowing your cat is okay.
What to consider: Although reviews are generally positive, a few buyers give notice that the house isn’t suitable protection for extreme weather conditions and is best suited to more temperate climates.
The K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty House Cat Shelter offers warmth and protection for outdoor cats. It features dual exits with removable flaps, a heated bed, and water-resistant construction. Easy to assemble, it’s perfect for cold weather, providing a cozy, safe space for your cats.
Best For Large Cats: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Extra-Wide Cat Shelter
If you have a large cat, the K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Extra-Wide Cat Shelter could be the one for you. At 26 x 21 x 15 inches, it’s extra wide to accommodate larger kitties, and it comes in two colors; red & black and olive & black.
Key features:
- 26 x 21 x 15 inches
- 3.12kg
- Extra wide design
- Comes in two colors
- Water-resistant
- 600 denier nylon
- Vinyl backing
- Partially heated floor
- Low-power & MET-listed
- Machine washable cover
- Two doors
- Removable flaps & roof
- Tool-free assembly
What we like: The partially heated floor gives your cat a choice of sleeping with or without heat underneath them. Assembly is straightforward with a velcro roof and hook & loop fasteners and it has two doors with removable flaps for ultimate safety.
Like its sister product above, it’s made from strong, water-resistant 600 denier nylon with vinyl backing, and the heating pad is low-power (20 watts) and MET-listed. It comes with a fleece-lined cover that is super soft and cozy and can be machine-washed at a low temperature for easy maintenance.
What to consider: The brand recommends this product be used in outdoor shelters like garages and sheds, rather than in a backyard.
The K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty House Extra-Wide Cat Shelter provides a spacious, heated refuge for multiple outdoor cats. With dual exits and removable flaps, it offers safety from predators, while the MET safety-listed heated bed keeps your pets warm. Made from water-resistant materials, it’s easy to assemble and perfect for barns, garages, or porches. Ideal for cold weather protection.
Best For Feral & Barn Cats: Clawsable Elevated Base Heated Cat House
The Clawsable Elevated Base Heated Cat House was designed with feral and barn cats in mind, with a stripped-back, unintimidating, and natural-looking design. At 12 x 20 x 15 inches, it’s also raised 5.1 inches from the ground to retain heat and keep dry.
Key features:
- 12 x 20 x 15”
- Raised 5.1 inches
- 3.95 kg
- Inviting design
- 5 layers of insulation
- Military-grade PP panels
- Sturdy & weatherproof
- Non-toxic & eco-friendly
- Soft & machine washable cover
- Tool-free assembly
- 1-year limited warranty
What we like: It’s made from sturdy, non-toxic, weatherproof, and eco-friendly materials, so it’s good for eco-conscious buyers. The five-layered insulation includes a waterproof layer, 900 D Oxford cloth, highly elastic PVC, military-grade PP panels, and aluminum foil.
The inside is super soft with a machine-washable cover for your convenience and it is easy to assemble with no tools required. It also comes with a 1-year limited warranty and the brand has excellent customer service.
What to consider: The only consideration with this cat house is the price, but it’s truly reflected in the quality and longevity of the materials.
The Clawsable Elevated Outdoor Waterproof Heated Cat House offers warmth and protection in harsh weather. Its waterproof, elevated design keeps your cat dry and cozy, while the insulated interior retains heat. Easy to assemble with a machine-washable cover, it’s perfect for porches, garages, or barns. Comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
Best Multi-Cat Pick: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty A-Frame House
If you have a multi-cat home, consider the K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty A-Frame House! It can house up to four cats at 35 x 20.5 x 20 inches and is pretty lightweight for its size. The deep brown design looks natural in backyards and it’s easy to put together with hook & loop fasteners.
Key features:
- 35 x 20.5 x 20 inches
- 3.74kg
- Neutral brown color
- Water-resistant
- 600 denier nylon
- Two doors with detachable flaps
- Comes with a heated bed
- Low power & safety tested
- Removable & washable cover
- Tool-free assembly
What we like: The house is made from water-resistant 600 denier nylon that can stand up to harsh weather conditions and has two doors with detachable flaps. It comes with a 40-watt heated bed, which is safety-certified, with a removable, washable fleece cover and a plastic-covered cord.
What to consider: One or two customers say it’s not suitable for multiple large cats, but overall it has stellar reviews.
The K&H Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty A-Frame House provides a warm, weather-resistant shelter for multiple cats. Featuring a MET safety-listed heated bed and dual exits with removable flaps, it offers both comfort and protection. The durable A-frame design is easy to assemble and ideal for outdoor use in barns, garages, or porches, keeping your cats cozy in any weather.
Best Aesthetics Pick: Toozey Elevated Weatherproof Heated Pet House
The Toozey Elevated Weatherproof Heated Cat House is our top aesthetics pick for its great looks. It’s also large and perfect for multiple cats. It’s 13 x 16 x 15 inches and lightweight at 2.67kg, with an adorable design that looks like a miniature version of a sweet family home.
Key features:
- 13 x 16 x 15 inches
- 2.67kg
- Cute home design
- High-quality materials
- Four layers of insulation
- Waterproof & windproof
- Heat reflective
- Safety listed thermostatic heating pad
- Soft & machine washable cover
- Chew-proof stainless steel cord
- Two clear & removable doors
- Tool-free assembly & disassembly
What we like: The cat house has four layers of high-quality, durable insulation, with wind-proof, heat-reflective aluminum film, pearl cotton, a sturdy PP board, and waterproof, PVC-coated Oxford cloth. It has two doors with clear, removable flaps, and comes with a 30-watt thermostatic heating pad that is safety-listed to ensure a safe and constant temperature, even in sub-zero conditions.
The pad also has an ultra-soft crystal velvet fleece cover which is removable and machine washable for easy cleaning, with a chew-proof stainless steel cord for your cat’s safety. It only takes a minute to put together and take apart, with hook & loop fasteners and zippers, so it’s easy to install, maintain, and move around.
What to consider: In the event of heavy rain or snow, the brand advises that it be placed somewhere it avoids continuous impact.
The Toozey Elevated Weatherproof Heated Pet House offers warmth and protection for outdoor pets. Its waterproof, insulated design with an elevated base keeps your cat dry, while the 40-watt UL-tested heating pad ensures safe warmth. This easy-to-assemble house is perfect for cats and small dogs in porches, garages, or barns, featuring a removable flap for easy access and a chew-proof cord for added safety.
Buying Guide
When buying an outdoor heated cat house, consider the following things!
- Size – Your cat’s house should be big enough for them to stand up and move around in and support the number of cats you have, without being too big & losing heat.
- Weight – It should be heavy enough to be secure but lightweight enough to move.
- Doors – The entrance/exit should be easy to use with flaps to reduce draughts whilst allowing ventilation; two doors are best for places where predators are a concern to avoid getting trapped & removable ones make it easier to clean.
- Heating element – Check for certifications for safety & automatic temperature control.
- Insulation – Look for safe, effective insulation materials like aluminum foil.
- Durability – Look for strong, weatherproof materials like nylon & Oxford cloth.
- Convenience – It should also be easy to install & clean.
- Other things – Depending on personal preference, you may also want to consider things like style, price, eco-friendly materials, and energy usage.
Top Tips For Outdoor Heated Cat Houses
To keep your cat safe and get the most out of your outdoor cat house, follow these tips!
- Set the thermostat between 70-82°F (21-27°C)
- Elevate it to keep it dry and warmer than when it sits on the ground
- Place it somewhere that’s sheltered from wind and rain
- Put straw or thermal blankets inside
- Put a comfort item like a favorite toy inside
- Secure any loose cables
- Keep an eye on the temperature daily
- Check for damage & clean it regularly
FAQs
Are outdoor heated cat houses safe for cats?
Outdoor heated cat houses are perfectly safe for cats, so long as they are specially designed for cats and the temperatures are set to cat-safe levels (between 70-82°F/21-27°C) and set up properly, according to their instructions.
How cold is too cold for cats?
Temperatures below 45°F(7°C) are too cold for cats to sleep outdoors without shelter. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can cause frostbite and/or hypothermia, which can be life-threatening.
Can cats sleep in outdoor heated cat houses in freezing conditions?
If their heated cat house is properly insulated and the heating element is functioning correctly, then yes. However, we recommend bringing all pets indoors in extreme or dangerous conditions.
How do you know if a cat is too cold?
Signs a cat is too cold include shivering, fast breathing, lethargy, and irregular heartbeat. If you think your cat is too cold, try to warm them up with towels or blankets, and if nothing changes or their body temperature drops below 98°F (36.6°C), contact a vet.
Final Thoughts on the Best Outdoor Heated Cat Houses
We’re so glad you’re considering getting an outdoor heated cat house – they’re a godsend to feral cats and help to keep outdoor cats safe. Let us know which ones look good to you, and for extra safety for outdoor cats, check out our list of the best cat GPS trackers, too.
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