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If your cat needs a humble abode outside, these are your best bets.

Hey, cat mom or dad. Whether your cat is an indoor/outdoor pet or you’re taking care of a feral cat colony, an outdoor cat house can mean the world to them. Not only will it provide them protection from potential predators outside, it’ll also keep them safe from the elements. If you’re not already familiar, an outdoor cat house is similar to a dog house, but is made to withstand rain, snow, and everything in between. Plus, it will typically have two openings so the cat who uses it will never be trapped by a predator. Cats always need a good escape route in order to feel safe.

Many outdoor cat houses also come with some really cool features. Some outdoor cat houses are even designed to look like an actual house, for those who prioritize aesthetics. Still others are made of insulated materials or even heated, giving the cats who use them extra protection during cold weather months.

✔️ Location: Where are you putting this outdoor cat house? (Don't forget to measure!)

✔️ Size: Will the cat house need to accommodate just one cat or multiple?

✔️ Insulation: Does your cat need protection from cold weather?

✔️ Weatherproofing: Will the cat house need to be weatherproof through all four seasons?

✔️ Price point: How much do you want to spend?

The cream of the crop in outdoor cat houses, this cozy home is actually heated. It heats up using a 20-watt MET Safety Listed plush heated cat bed inside. Weather-resistant and insulated, this cat house’s structure will keep your cat comfortable year-round. Two exits allow your outdoor cat escape routes should they decide to step out for some exploration.

Not only do we love the way this large structure looks, we appreciate its size, different sections and entry points. Boasting a large balcony, a couple of jump platforms and top level deck, a small cat colony can easily stick together with this home. And the best part is, the fir wood is sturdy.

This heated cat house is one of the larger ones we’ve found. Made for cats who prefer to sleep in garages, porches, barns, and colder parts of the house, this structure gives cats a cave-like feel. Two exit points mean they will never feel too trapped inside. This one is made of heavy denier polyester, which makes it water-resistant and weather-resistant.

This cat house may look like a chicken coop, but it’s definitely meant for cats. Featuring several jumping platforms for play, various windows, two climbing ladders, a huge entrance and outdoor play area (called a “catio”), this cat house is the most luxe of them all. Made of fir wood and other pet-friendly coating, this outdoor structure is sturdy.

This cat house is made with ecoFLEX, which is super-durable. It won’t fade, warp, splinter, crack, rot, or succumb to bug infestation. We love that this one has a nice design, and features two points of entry or exit for the cat’s convenience and safety.

An outlier on this list, this outdoor cat house landed on our list for cats that are just supposed to be indoors who want to experience being outdoors. They are enclosed in completely—with durable fir wood and wire mesh—because this structure is essentially a cage, but there’s plenty of room and platforms for fun play. A large front door stays shut using latches.

These are the most important things to consider before you buy an outdoor cat house: