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Kitty Tube The Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat HouseAs the weather is getting colder, outside cats need safe, dry, warm places to seek refuge. The problem is that this is pretty hard to find considering that right now most places are either very rainy, snowy or a mix of both!
Whether the cats in your area are feral, stray or your pets, they are NOT adapted to living in cold, wet climates under normal circumstances let alone stormy or irregular weather conditions. If they get too wet, they can become very sick and there is a higher chance that they will die from conditions like hypothermia.
You’re here because you realize this and want to help the cats in your area. Whatever their relationship to you is, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for caring as I present you with the Best Outdoor Insulated Cat Shelters and Houses for outdoor cats.
5 Best Outdoor Insulated Cat Shelters & Houses
- Kitty Tube The Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House
- K & H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House (Heated)
- K & H Pet Products Birchwood Manor Outdoor Thermo Kitty Home
- CozyCatFurniture Weatherproof Insulated Cedar Outdoor Cat House for Winter & Summer
- CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Insulated Large Cat House For Outside
Top 10 Best Outdoor Insulated Cat Shelters and Houses Reviewed
1. Kitty Tube The Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House
Don’t let its simple look deceive you. This outdoor cat house isn’t just a heap of plastic.
When it comes to keeping your kitties warm and dry outside in the winter cold, the Kitty Tube is the best of the best. The floor, walls and roof are insulated with high quality, high R insulation which means that this unit will adapt to any change in temperature whether hot or cold.
It will keep your kitties warm in the winter and cool in the summer so that you don’t have to buy or change cat houses with the season. And that is a good thing especially with how bipolar the weather has been in recent years.
Even here in NC, one day it will be freezing cold and the next day it will be hot. Or in the morning it will be freezing and by afternoon it will be in the 80s and this even happened on a snowy day one year!
It is also adapted to house multiple cats at once so you don’t have to worry about buying one for each outside cat. It’s also awesome for mama cats with a litter of kittens because they can cuddle up snuggly in the round base and comfy pillow that’s included.
We did a full review on the Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House if you’re interested in reading it but we figured you’re probably in a hurry to keep your kitty’s warm so here’s the quick breakdown of this awesome cat house for outside:
Size (L x W x H): 24″ x 24″ x 23″
Colors: black
Other Options:
- Feral comes with straw instead of a pillow
- Double Insulation (more on this later)
Max # of Cats: 3
Price: $$
Structural Material: Heavy-duty, post-consumer recycled material
Insulation Material: High quality, high R value (insulation that does not let heat escape)
BEST INSULATED OUTDOOR CAT HOUSE ON THE MARKET!
Heated?: No
Comes With:
- removeable clear flap door
- awning (overhanging door umbrella/shelter)
- fully insulated floor, sides and roof
- custom , machine washable pillow/bed
Features:
- Made in the USA
- Adjustable ventilation and airflow
- Adapts to the heat and cold
- Built-in lifting handles
- Free shipping
Pros:
- Adapts to temperature changes so it keeps your kitties the perfect temperature whether its hot or cold outside.
- Designed to protect your cats from predators especially coyotes and dogs which are their main threat, hence no second door
- Can install extra insulation to keep your kitties warm in extra cold, negative degree conditions
- Easy carry handles make it easy to lift and move
- Made in the USA so when you buy it you’re supporting the economy, local jobs, local businesses and so much more!
- Guaranteed not to chip, crack or fade for its entire lifetime so you won’t have to buy a replacement for these reasons.
Cons:
- Door is low and water may splash in at times
- Can not get a full refund after purchase
Certifications: Alley Cat Allies and Feral Fixers approved!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
What People Are Saying About the Kitty Tube The Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House:
There are TONS of AMAZING stories on Amazon about how this cat shelter has helped cats so be sure to click the button below and read them 🙂
Our little feral cat loves this house. He is safe and warm and best of all I can rest easy knowing he has a dry place to sleep. He is in it always!! – Tim D.
Our cat is an outdoor cat who HATES to come inside, even when it’s cold. We tried making cat houses out of rubbermaid tubs and such, but he never liked them, preferring a cardboard box. He LOVES his kitty tube! Even in 20-30 degree weather, you can stick your hand in the tube and it’s warm if he’s in there. – Exert from Ann M Guthrie’s Review on Amazon
2. K & H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House (Heated & Unheated)
Though this outdoor kitty house may look cheap, its anything but that! If you’re looking for an outdoor shelter for your cat that has heating installed as well as insulated walls and flooring, this is the one for you.
It comes with a certified safe heater that is unique to K & H cat houses. The structure is also water and weatherproof which means that your kitty will stay safe, dry AND warm.
If you like the double door model, you will love the fact that this unit comes with two doors so that your cat can easily get away from threats if one door is blocked. But don’t worry, these doors won’t let out the heat as they are covered by plastic flaps that keep the heat inside.
It is a great option for subzero climates bcause you have the reassurance of the heater, that your cat will be warm and not have to wait for their body heat to warm the cabin for them.
Here’s the quick breakdown of the K & H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House (Heated & Unheated):
Size (L x W x H): 18″ x 22″ x 17″
Colors: olive
Other Options:
- heated
- unheated
- shape options
- tent
- semi-cylinder
- house
Max # of Cats: 1 – 2
Price: $
Structural Material: 600-denier polyester
Insulation Material: 600-denier polyester
Heated?: Yes
- heated with 20 watt MET safety listed heated bed with patented Lectro-soft heated bed
Comes With:
- polyester cat house
- heated cat
Features:
- Insulated and weather-resistant
- Protected exits
- Certified by MET labs to exceed USA/CA electrical safety standards
Pros:
- Cat is completely safe from threats and electrical hazards
- Unit stays warm as long as heater stays on so your cat doesn’t have to wait for its body heat to warm up the cabin.
- Olive green may seem ugly at first BUT when put out in nature it camoflages to add more protection from predators especially those that can see color like eagles and hawks (yes, they do hunt cats)
- Exit door gives them a way to escape since the body is not meant to hold weight
- Easy to assemble and dissassemble
- Easy to move
- Does not use up a lot of electricity and is in ‘hybernation mode’ while cat is not in the house
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons:
- House is not sturdy so if something falls on it, your cats might be in danger of getting injured
- No room for extra insulation
Certifications: Exceeds USA/CA electric safety standards
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
What People Are Saying About the K & H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House (Heated & Unheated):
There are a TON of AMAZING stories of people helping feral and domestic cats alike with this unit. Here are some highlights!
Our cat needed a place to stay warm outside. He loves the cat house [cat house]. When he walks pit of his house his tummy is all warm so I know the heating pad is working good. Great value for the money. Our cat is about 18lbs so I would say it would fit up to a 25lb pet. Or a couple of small cats. – Crunchy Mama with 3 Boys
Great product. Easy setup and assembly. Quality construction at a good price. Stray cat used it right away keeping her warm and safe. She is now a part of the household and living inside my house. – Mark
3. K & H Pet Products Birchwood Manor Outdoor Thermo Kitty Home
If you’re looking for a safe place for your outdoor cat that will kep them safe and warm AND you or your kid(s) can customize the exterior design, then this is for your family!
The natural Birchwood insulates that cat house, keeping the heat in and the weather, predators and other threats OUT! The Birchwood also makes it more sturdy than the previous K & H cat shelter we talked about.
You can also do just about anything to design it such as:
- paint
- stickers
- draw
- and more!
You can also store it just about anywhere since its not very big, is easy to move and very easy to assemble. You can rest assured that your kitty will stay warm, dry and safe in this unit with the K & H high standards for safety and heating.
Here’s the quick breakdown of the K & H Pet Products Birchwood Manor Outdoor Thermo Kitty Home:
Size:
13″ x 15″
Color: Natural Birchwood, no-stain
Other Options:
- heated
- unheated
Max # of cats: 1 cat
Price: $
Structural Material: Birchwood
Insulation Material: Birchwood
Heated?: Yes
Comes with:
- Birchwood housing unit
- Extreme weather kitty pad (heating pad)
- Heating pad cover
Features:
- Customizable design
- Two-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Heating can be on or off
- Front and back door with plastic covers
Pros:
- Can be painted and designed the way you and your family like it
- Birchwood blends in naturally with the environment if you choose to leave it as it is
- Front and back door for an easy escape from predators or other threats
- Made in the USA
- Exceeds electrical safety standards so you can feel safe that your kitty won’t be shocked while in this unit
- Works well in subzero temperatures (even – 20-degree weather)
- Cats like natural wood better than other materials so they will be more likely to use it.
- Wood is easy to clean!
Cons
- Design might make it stand out more to predators
- Only fits one cat
Certifications: MET listed for exceeding USA and CA electrical safety standards
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
What people are saying about the K & H Pet Products Birchwood Manor Outdoor Kitty Home:
There are some good people doing some AWESOME things for kitties with this unit. Here are some highlights:
Have a feral cat that has been hanging around for a few years. She looked thin and Iowa winters can be brutal, so bought the house. SHE LOVES IT!!! The house went together easily and we left it on lower deck next to the house without the doors. After 2 days of sniffing around she was sleeping in it. – excert from Spicyrunner
Our outdoor somewhat half feral cat hopped in while we were still putting it together. He loves it! Plugged the heating pad in and stuck my hand in there and felt after he had been laying on it for a while and he was nice and cozy in there! – excert from J. A. Terwilliger
4. CozyCatFurniture Weatherproof Insulated Cedar Outdoor Cat House for Winter & Summer
This image really doesn’t do this unit any justice. It is a GORGEOUS cedar home for your cats.
Cedar is one of my favorite woods to build with. I love all varieties and the smells are so fresh, unique, and delicious if you’re a wood weirdo like me, LOL!!
Seriously though, cedar has a very nice smell. (I could snort a piece all day, haha! Ok, I’ll stop before I make this get weird. 🙂 )
Cedar is also very sturdy so you know that having it raised off the ground, your cat will be safe while inside. It comes fully insulated All you may need to add is some straw or a small, outdoor safe, mat heater and your kitty will be set.
Not that this one is more expensive because it is cedar which is an expensive wood BECAUSE of its high-quality but also rarity.
God I hope my love for cedar rubs off on you because you won’t be disappointed once you buy it. Neither will your cat btw! Cats prefer natural woods and cedar is one of their favorites!
Here’s the quick breakdown of the CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Insulated Cedar Outdoor Cat House for Winter or Summer:
Size: 18″ x 17″ x 18″ (exterior, 14″ x 13″ (interior)
Color: Natural cedar
Other Options: None
Max # of cats: 1
Price: $$
Structural Material: Cedar
Insulation Material: Thermal-Ply insulation
Heated?: No
Comes with:
- Cedar cat house
- Vinyl Door Flaps
- Optional Back door
- Heating pad with extra charge
Features:
- Porch roof
- Raised house and deck
- High-quality materials
Pros
- Raised house and deck are just over a foot off the ground and protect cat from elements like snow, rain, flooding, etc. that can cause it to get hypothermia or other sicknesses
- Porch lets your cat get outside while staying dry even when the weather is snowy or rainy.
- Cedar will last forever outdoors so you won’t have to worry about it rotting and wasting your money
- Therma-ply is great for hot and cold temperatures. It warms in the cold and cools in the summer to make sure your cat is safe and healthy in all seasons
- Literally has no one or two star ratings on Amazon
- Every unit is handmade
Cons
- No door flaps available
- Insulation tears easily from scratching
- Shipping is expensive because it ships out of Canada (but still totally worth it!! 🙂 )
Certifications: None
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
What people are saying about the CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Insulated Cedar Outdoor Cat House for Winter and Summer:
Lots of people are loving these cat houses for winter, snowy conditions. Here are some highlights but you can click the button below to read more great stories!
I put straw in them and the outside kitties love them, so I ordered 2 more – KJ
This house is VERY well made and easy to assemble! Kudos to whoever came up with the plan. Once assembled, I put a few inches of clean straw in the box. Toots took to it immediately! The insulation is absolutely perfect for keeping the elements out. Ours has stayed dry in 3 ft. of snow and heavy rains. After extreme weather events I felt around inside for dampness, and there was never a drop to be found! – excert from freenT’s review
5. CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Insulated Large Cat House For Outside
If you’re looking for more space inside your cat’s outdoor cat house then this unit is an excellent option. It has one of the larger floors of the cat houses we’re reviewing which means that it can fit either more or a larger cat inside.
To give you a visual representation, it is large enough to fit a small dog inside too so if you’re in need of a nice outdoor dog house, this might work for both! Just be sure to buy one for each because not all cats and gos like to share with each other, lol.
I’m so used to mine getting along but that’s not always the case.
What I really love about all CozyCatFurniture products is that they are handmade and you already know how much I love cedar if you read the last exert. Your cat is gonna love this cat house, especially if it is a large breed or just on the heavier side of the cat size chart (which is ok with me! 🙂 )
Here’s the quick breakdown of the CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Insulated Large Cat House for Outside:
Size: Floor (LxW): 19″ x 18″; House (D x W x H): 24″ x 23″ x 21″
Color: Natural cedar
Other Options: Optional vinyl flaps and back
Max # of cats: 1 cat
Price: $$
Structural material: Cedar
Insulation material: Therma-ply
Heated: No
Comes with: Cat house
Features:
Pros:
- Large size can fit 2 average sized adult cats or one large cat comfortably
- Insulation keeps your cat warm in the cold and cool in the summer (even in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees)
Cons:
- Not raised off the ground so it might get snowed over in hevay snow climates
- Heating pad is not included but can be easily installed to keep your cat warmer in the winter months
Certifications: None
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
What people are saying about the CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Insulated Large Cat House For Outside:
Love this cathouse. The materials are excellent and it was easy to assemble. I bought this house for my daughter who adopted two cats whose owner had passed away. Babe and Oscar are 15 & 18 years old and they love their new home. They sit on the porch during the day then curl up in their new house at night. It’s just the right size for 2. – Joanne Bald
Well constructed, easy to assemble. We got his for a feral cat and along with a heating pad we have been happy – but I needed to add a small ‘porch’ type overhang over the door as rain tends to get into the house. Otherwise I am very happy. – S. Danner
How To Choose The Best Insulated Outdoor Cat House
These outdoor cat houses are all great but of course, some will suit your circumstances a little differently than others might. For instance, if you only have one outdoor cat, you might only need the K & H Birchwood Cat House but if you have multiple cats outside then the Kitty Tube might be a good option.
So before you settle on which cat house you’re going to get, I want to discuss the top things you need to consider before making your important final decision. If you have any questions or additional information, please feel free to ask and share in the comments box below this post. 🙂
Choosing The Best Insulated Outdoor Cat House for Your Cats
Usually, we think about cat houses during this time when the weather gets colder and in some countries, it might even be snowing by now. Here in NC, it seems like its teetering on the edge of snowing but I know further up north its been snowing for a while now!
Though warmth is a determining factor in choosing an outdoor cat house, there are a few other things you need to consider as well. They are:
- Size
- Climate (is the house suitable for the climate in your area)
- Structural Material
Size
On average, an adult cat is between 9 and 10 inches tall and 18 inches not counting its tail. Being above average in height myself, I think it is needless to say that averages don’t encompass the entire population.
Your cat might be bigger or smaller than this. Size is affected by many things including:
- genetics
- environment
- nutrition
- activity
- genetics
- nutrition
lol, ok, I know I said genetics and nutrition twice but they really do have a big impact on the size of your cat. For instance, one of the outside cats in my yard was small for a long time.
She was much smaller than the rest of the cats so I thought she just might have been small. One day I had some leftover grain-free cat food that my cats weren’t eating.
Instead of throwing it out, I fed it to her and a couple other cats that looked like they needed it. Do you know what happened next??
To my surprise, she started to grow again! It’s so amazing. This cat that was so tiny for so long started growing again and there’s no doubt in my mind that it was because she was able to get in better nutrients. There were some other changes in the cats due to better nutrients but I won’t go off topic.
Back on topic, you need to consider the size of your cat before choosing a house. If it is a kitten, you have to make an educated guess on how big you think s/he might get.
Make sure that your cat will have enough room to sit, stand and lay down comfortably. Cats tend to like to bundle up and will cuddle with each other but you still want them to be comfortable when they stretch or might be confined in the shelter for long periods of time like if it is snowing or raining.
The size of the house is also affected by the number of cats that you want to house in the unit. If you have multiple cats, go for one like the Kitty Tube that can hold a good number of cats at once.
If you know there are cats that don’t get along, be sure to have multiple houses so that no one is left out in the cold. Males especially can get quite possessive especially if they’re the dominant male of the area.
Climate
No matter where you go around the world, the climate is different. You can find varying climates even along the east coast.
For example, I live in NC and have just come back from a family vacation in Florida. The weather in Florida was awesome and perfect for me.
It wasn’t too cold or hot. Not too humid either.
On the day that I left Florida, it was warm, sunny and my family wore shorts like it was summer. Can you guess what the weather was like in NC which is only an hour away by air?
It was COMPLETELY different! It was cold, rainy and dreary. And now, three days later it is even colder! But I guess I shouldn’t complain because further up north is even colder still.
Even aside from temperature, there are also weather conditions that you need to consider when choosing the best outdoor cat shelter for your cats. Some are:
- temperature
- rain
- wind
- snow
- storms
- blizzards
- flooding
For instance, if you live in an area that floods or has a lot of heavy snow, you might want to get your cat a shelter that comes on stilts like the CozyCatFurniture Weatherproof Insulated Cedar Outdoor Cat House. Or if you live in an area with heavy snow, even if you have just one cat you might want to get the Kitty Tube for the added benefit of adding extra insulation.
The last thing you need to consider is the variance of temperature within the same area. For instance, here in NC it snows some in the winter but in the summer it gets very hot.
So the cat house I choose needs to be able to keep my cats warm in the winter but cool in the summer just like the Kitty Tube Gen 3 and a number of other cat houses on this list do. You don’t want to overheat your cats and having one that does both will save you the hassle of remembering to change them over.
I mean, there’s enough to remember with season changes like changing around clothes (which is a HUGE project in itself), cleaning, changing the clocks, etc. so why not just get a cat house that can do its thing for your cats without having to worry about it.
Be sure to read carefully through each cat house on the list. You can find a comparison guide at the bottom of this post for easy reference as well.
Structural Material
The structural material is important because you want to get a house that stands up to the environment. For instance, if you have a lot of wind in your area you wouldn’t want to get the K & H Outdoor Heated Kitty House but the Birchwood House by the same people might be a better option.
There are other things in the environment that you need to consider which the house needs to stand up against as well. They include:
- weather
- predators (both land and air)
- ex. coyotes, eagles, etc.
- people
- dogs
- other cats
- other people’s pets
- natural disasters
- ex. storms, fallen tree branches, etc.
- etc.
The cat house you choose MUST be able to protect your cat from all of the above threats that it faces in your area. I know that here in the NC country area we have a lot of coyotes so I would choose a cat house like the Kitty Tube or CozyCatFurniture’s Cedar House.
However, if you live in an urban area where there aren’t many predators, you might be fine with the K & H Outdoor Heated Kitty House.
The material should also be something that your cat will be comfortable in. To make this simple, cats love wood so anything made with natural wood is an excellent choice especially:
- cedar
- pine
- oak
- maple
These woods are commonly found in nature so its no wonder that cats enjoy them so much. And this isn’t to say that cats don’t or won’t like other materials either.
Just make sure that it is made of materials that will be comfortable for your cat.
Why Cats Need An Outdoor Cat Shelter
As I’ve mentioned previously, your cat faces many threats when left outdoors. The amount of time it is outside doesn’t matter so whether your cat is a part-time or full-time outside kitty, it faces many threats.
Some I’ve mentioned before but it warrants repeating in this section like:
- predators like coyotes, eagles, etc.
- dogs
- weather conditions
- natural disasters
- manmade dangers
- other cats
- other pets
- people
- falling from high buildings trying to seek shelter if not provided for them
- and more!
Giving your cat a sense of safety and security shouldn’t be thought of lightly. It will help them live more comfortably, stress less and live longer more fulfilled lives just like it does for you and me.
Having shelter will also help them stay healthy and fight illnesses better if they do come down with something. Remember that we need to be voices for the voiceless and getting a cat shelter for your cat, putting out some food and a bowl of water will do a LOT for your outside cat even if you don’t’ consider him/her as ‘your’ cat.
Comparison Guide of the Best Insulated Outdoor Cat Houses for Winter & Summer
| Cat House | Size | Max # of Cats | Insulation | Heated | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House | 24" x 24" x 23" | 3 | High quality, high R value (insulation that does not let heat escape) | No | $$ | 4.5 out of 5 |
| K & H Pet Products Outdoor Kitty House (Heated & Unheated) | 18" x 22" x 17" | 2 | 600-denier polyester | Yes | $ | 4.5 out of 5 |
| K & H Pet Products Birchwood Manor Outdoor Thermo Kitty Home | 13" x 15" | 1 | Birchwood | Yes | $ | 4.5 out of 5 |
| CozyCatFurniture Weatherproof Insulated Cedar Outdoor Cat House for Winter & Summer | 18" x 17" x 18" | 1 | Thermal-Ply insulation | No | $$ | 5 out of 5 |
| CozyCatFurniture Waterproof Insulated Large Cat House For Outside | 24" x 23" x 21" | 1 | Therma-ply | No | $$ | 4.5 out of 5 |
Outdoor Cat House’s #1 Recommendation
Choosing the best insulated outdoor cat house was pretty difficult. All of the above cat houses are good but only one can be the best.
Even though I’m a big advocate of using natural wood for cats, I have to say that the natural wood cat houses might not be the best choice when it comes to insulated cat houses. Also, there is no room to add additional insulation in these units if needed.
This might not be the best where temperatures drop below freezing and extra insulation is necessary.
For this reason, our #1 recommendation for the best insulated outdoor cat house is the Kitty Tube The Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House.
The Kitty Tube has been around for a long time and it is equipped with everything your cat needs in a cat house. It includes:
- ventilation
- insulation on all sides, top and bottom
- hard, sturdy shell to protect against weather conditions and predators
- ability to house multiple cats
- ability to add additional insulation
- and more!
I could go on and on about how awesome this cat house is. If you want to read more about the Kitty Tube The Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House, click the button below.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST INSULATED OUTDOOR CAT HOUSE!
If you have any questions, comments or other feedback, please feel free to leave it in the comments box below. Hope this helped and talk to you soon!
Marlinda
Great post and great info.
I love people like you who are writing these kind of posts, you know why?
It is getting cold, and cats really need something to shelter them when they are wondering outside at night, or during the day, because without it they will freeze, no matter how many times they went outside already.
I’m going to check, and I’m going to get me one, so that I can also make sure cats will be warm!
Thanks for sharing it.