You may have heard of insulated cat houses before but now you’re wondering which one is the best. There are a lot of cat houses out there that claim to be insulated but in reality, they are not.
This is where the Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House with Custom Pet Pillow comes into play.
But does it live up to its greatness like some other cat houses claim?
Well, that’s exactly what I plan to show you here. But first, here’s is is a rundown about our nifty Cat House.
The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House At A Glance
Product Name: The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House with Custom Pet Pillow
Size (L x W x H): 24″ (61 cm) x 24″ (61 cm) x 23″ (59 cm)
Color: Black
Cat Capacity: 3
Bedding: Custom pet pillow OR straw (separate listings)
Construction Materials: Eco-friendly, recycled plastic
Insulation Material: High quality, high R-value insulation
Who is it for?: It is for people who have to leave their cats outside for a little bit. Also for the people who take care of strays especially those that roam into their yards.
Price: $159.99
The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House Summary
The Kitty Tube Gen 3 is an insulated outdoor cat house that is perfect for the hot and cold weather because it stays warm in the cold yet cool in the heat! This makes it perfect for pretty much every climate as well.
It is sturdily built and cylindrical shaped made of high quality, recycled, scratch resistant plastic. You can almost liken it to recycling trash bins.
It is designed for domestic cats both feral and those you might keep outside for parts of the day. Each unit comes with bedding that is either a custom pillow or straw.
The Kitty Tube Gen 3 cat shelter is perfect for you if you do not have time to build one of your own. It is very reasonably priced and comes with high recommendations from Alley Cat Allies and Feral Fixers, both 503(c) non-profits that are very active in the fair treatment of feral cat.
If you want the full breakdown, keep reading or you can click the below button to read more information, reviews, etc.
Click here to learn more about the Kitty Tube Gen 3.
Benefits of Using The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Cat House
The benefits of using the Kitty Tube Gen 3 are many!
Excellent for Cold and Hot Temperatures
First of all, you can pretty much rest assured that your cats are comfortable inside regardless of the temperature. Even if you feel like they may not be warm enough, you can order extra insulation for the top and walls without compromising on space.
In addition to staying warm in the winter, this cat shelter is designed to stay cool in the hotter months as well. This also means that you won’t have to switch out cat houses for each season like you may with other kinds.
This alone is a money saver because most non-insulated cat houses still cost about the same as this one and even with the extra insulation, you won’t even get close to paying for two cat houses.
Of course, this benefit of an insulated outdoor cat house is sort of obvious or at least it seems that way to me. My personal favorite benefit of using this particular model is its anti-predator design.
Anti-predator Design
The door is too small for coyotes and other predators to get into. I live out in the country where these predators are frequently seen but even in cities these predators exist and are becoming more common with over-foresting, over-population, etc.
Before I had cats, I didn’t realize that birds of prey also hunt cats so I really love the fact that this is specifically designed to protect the cats from predators.
Safety From The Elements
In addition to predators, there are other dangers your cat will face outdoors. One such danger is the weather.
No matter where you live in the world, you have severe weather conditions whether its thunderstorms, hurricanes, blizzards, or a combination, your cats need to be protected.
This cat shelter is designed to not only be weather-proof and protect your cat during severe weather conditions but also maintain a healthy, ventilated environment within it.
Cat Behavioral Damage Resistant
One thing I always like to be assured of, especially when I pay more than a hundred dollars for something (lol), is that what I’m buying is going to last for years. This cat house delivers on that.
It has a lifetime scratch and chip resistant guarantee in addition to surfaces that are resistant to moisture. This means that it will not grow bacteria, mold, etc. and it also will not hang on to cat urine and/or pheromones.
Knowing that you won’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning it is another benefit here. We are all busy and don’t have time to clean out a cat house, lol.
Especially if you’re like me and have young children, our hands are blessed and full to say the least! With this, all you have to do is pull the top off the bottom, hose it down and its good to go once you dry it off.
How To Use The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House
There isn’t much assembly required with this cat house. You just need to put together the door, awning and fit the insulation in place.
Its not big so you can pretty much place it wherever you want. It doesn’t have to be placed under a shelter either as it is secure and doesn’t leak water or anything like that.
You may have to encourage and teach your cats what it is. It just depends on the cat.
Putting a food bowl in it always helps to make positive assimilations. Sometimes you have to be patient.
Just like different people have different comfort levels about the same things so do cats. Just because one cat loves it doesn’t mean another cat will be as comfortable about it.
You can also try adding treats and other more delicious, enticing things for your cats. I mean, it’s the same principle here. Wouldn’t you rather your snack fix than a boring plate of dinner?
I know it differs for each of us but personally, I’d rather eat a cake than my dinner as an example. If I had to risk trying something new to get it, I’d be more likely to risk it for a plate of my favorite cake (that is also rarer) than the same old, jim-jam food (that isn’t so rare), lol!
You see what I’m saying? Just give them time, understanding and patience if they don’t take to it right away. Would you jump into a big dark thing that looks like its going to eat you BEFORE you know what it is? Yeah, I don’t think most of us will so understand that your cat may have some reservations too BEFORE s/he learns that it’s safe and good for him/her.
The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House Description and Features
Product Name: The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House with Custom Pet Pillow
Size (L x W x H): 24″ (61 cm) x 24″ (61 cm) x 23″ (59 cm)
Color: Black
Cat Capacity: 3
Bedding: Machine washable, custom pet pillow OR straw (separate listings)
Construction Materials: Eco-friendly, scratch resistant, recycled plastic
Insulated Areas: Floor, walls and roof. Extra insulation available for purchase if needed as well.
Insulation Material: High quality, high R-value insulation
Door Setup: Awning and removable, clear flap. Anti-predator design.
Ventilation: Full flow through lifting handles whether they are open or closed.
Assembly: Easy
Special Endorsements: Alley Cat Allies & Feral Fixers
Special Notices: Made in the USA with post-consumer recycled content.
Guarantees: This unit will not chip, crack or fade for the entirety of its lifetime.
Price: $159.99
Who Is This For?
This is for anyone who has one or more cats that spend any amount of time outdoors even if inside an outdoor cat enclosure. I say this because you might assume that since your cat is in an enclosure that they are safe from predators and that is true.
However, as long as your cats are outdoors it will be exposed to weather elements such as rain, snow, heat, etc.
Also be aware that sometimes predators get lucky or are very strong and break into fences as well so even if you have your cat in an enclosure, having one of these as a backup is a good idea.
Of course, they are good for free-roaming cats as well whether they are fully or partially outdoors or fully or partially feral.
For all the things that our homes protect us from, outside cats need this house to protect them from the same things. 😉
What I Like About The The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House
Oh, there are so many things to LOVE about this unit. I’ve been anxiously anticipating this section through typing this whole review! lol.
I really love the built-in scratch and moisture resistant properties. I know it will be outside all the time but like I don’t like scratches on my car I just don’t like scratches, lol.
I KNOW I’m not the only one like this even if you might not be and that’s fine.
I also like that it is urine and spray resistant. Cat piss and pheromones stink.
Love them to death but there’s no denying it. And I also found out after having a male cat that I’m allergic to the male pheromones so the fact that they won’t stick on this unit is a plus for me and others with allergies.
I also love the design of this. It is so neutral and easy to blend in with any landscape.
You can also easily dress it up with some vines or flowers to hide it or make it look more natural in your yard. And since you can use it all year round you won’t have to worry about disassembling your decor either.
Which brings me to my next point. It is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Even though cats are adapted for the heat, they still overheat when it gets too hot. Having somewhere cool to seek refuge is just as comforting to them as it is for us to seek an air-conditioned building.
The fact that it is made in the USA is always a plus as well. This provides jobs for many others and helps to support our economy.
What I Don’t Like About The The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House
Even though I love this unit there are a couple of things that I don’t like about it. One thing is that the door is so low to the ground.
This means that even though it is weatherproof, the weather can still splash in.
Along these same lines, it isn’t wind resistant through the door’s opening.
The last thing I don’t like, and you need to be aware of, is that they don’t give you a full refund if you return one of these. You have 30-days to return but there is a fee taken out regardless if the cat house has been used or not.
Outdoor Cat Houses’ Final Verdict
Product Name: The Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House with Custom Pet Pillow
Size (L x W x H): 24″ (61 cm) x 24″ (61 cm) x 23″ (59 cm)
Color: Black
Cat Capacity: 3
Bedding: Custom pet pillow OR straw (separate listings)
Construction Materials: Eco-friendly, recycled plastic
Insulation Material: High quality, high R-value insulation
Who is it for?: It is for people who have to leave their cats outside for a little bit. Also for the people who take care of strays especially those that roam into their yards.
Price: $159.99
As they claim and many others also report, we agree that the Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House is an outstanding cat shelter and home for your outside cats.
It will keep your cats both warm and cool when needed and is built to stand up in any environment.
You can rest assured that your cats are safe, comfortable and well taken care of when they seek refuge in one of these units.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to help!
Click the below button to buy the Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House now 🙂
Click here to buy the Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Cat House NOW!!
Kitty Tube Gen 3 Outdoor Insulated Cat House
159.99
Pros
- Protection from elements & predators
- Excellent Insulation in the cold and heat
- Affordable
- Easy assembly & cleaning
- Made in the USA with high quality, recycled materials
Cons
- Do not receive full refund if returned
- Door is low so water might splash in
- Not wind resistant at the door
Hey Jeff,
How cool to meet another cat-dad out there. When I read blogs about cats, I get the impression that most of the passionate cat-bloggers out there are women, so that’s really refreshing.
We have two tomcats who are 17 years old now and who go outside regularly, especially at night or in the early morning.
I wish I had read your review about two years ago: Back then I bought a cheap cat house from amazon and installed insulation myself.
Well, I guess it works, but I’ll probably never find out: Our cats simply won’t use it. Maybe it’s too small? I don’t know!
I’ll probably give this one a try next winter season. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the product! Great review!!!
Cheers,
Chris
Heya Chris,
Yeah, I have a couple of tomcats myself. They got huge! I noticed too that some tomcats do not like to cram themselves into tight places.
I think it has to do with feeling vulnerable because they might think another male cat might come up and catch him by surprise when there is a female in heat roaming around.
Have a good day!
-Jeff
This looks like an awesome product for cats, I do not have cats as I am a bird person and my yard is full of cardinals and doves, but if you ever design one for dogs I would be very interested as I also have stray dogs as well as stray cats.
Mostly the neighbor’s cats and dogs, but would still like to see them nice and warm. Thank you for sharing will be checking out your site again.
Hey Terri, thanks for commenting and sharing. These insulated outdoor cat houses are excellent for stray cats.
Even if they have ‘owners’ if they are left outside for long periods of time they still need shelter from dangers both natural and man made. There are many benefits of insulated outdoor cat houses.
Look forward to hearing more from you and hope I can help you find a solution for your cats. Maybe we might create one for dogs in the future.
I hadn’t thought about that even though they’re more common, lol.
Jeff
Hi Davis,
I have two cats, and one of them live outside. So I built him a wooden house, but big mistake because moisture got on the wood and it released a bad odor. I will never do this again:) I also, bought him a plastic house, but in the summer, it is way too hot.
I am so pleased to read this article because I really need an insulated house for my cat. I just would like to know. The door looks extremely small, so I was wondering if this could prevent my cat from entering the house?
Thank you for this in-depth review!
Howdy Daniella,
Thanks for reading 🙂 That is a good question. Yeah, The pic of the door looks small, but if a Maine coon can fit in it, I am pretty sure any cat can 🙂
I think this is a great idea. My cats are indoor cats but we have a few strays in our neighborhood.
They have an insulated box made out of a crate filled with insulation to go into in the winter but it doesn’t look very comfy or warm. This one looks so much better.
I should see if any of my neighbors would pool in funds and we could buy it for them.
Hey Wendy, that sounds like an awesome idea!
Lemme know how it goes 🙂
–Jeff
If I had a cat I would definitely get this for them. The idea of your pet having a home inside your home is so cute to me. I’m familiar with dogs having a dog house but not cats for a cat house.
How long does it take for a cat to get used to something like this? Do the cat have to be trained to use the house? I’m really interested in knowing I have plenty cat lover friends.
I personally prefer dogs! In the meantime I will share this with my cat lover friends.
Hey Jamie!
I’m glad you enjoyed this article. Thanks for sharing Outdoor Cat Houses with friends as well!
As far as the amount of time it takes for a cat to get used to an outdoor cat house really depends on the cat. Some cats take to it right away while others might be more afraid and cautious about the ‘strange new object’ outside or inside (depending on where your cat is although this model is meant for outdoors).
Yes, you can help your cat feel more comfortable if s/he is not wanting to use it. You can put their food bowl in there or some treats.
Also if you notice that they like to lay on certain materials, you can also put them in there as well. If the cat is feral, it might not trust you as much unless its really used to you but you can see if you can help guide the cat into the house and show it how to use the door etc.
Even after all this, some cats just won’t use it but most cats will because they don’t like the cold or rain.
Hope this helps 🙂
Thank you so much for this article. I have been looking for a solution for my two outdoor barn cats.
We live in Colorado, my husband is very allergic to cats so they can’t come indoors but we need good mousers to keep our pest problem down to a minimum. Currently the cats sleep in a shed but the shed is not well made and has no heat but I feel like it offers enough shelter to make this Cat House work perfectly.
The shed has big shelves so I can keep it off the ground and although it is very drafty inside the cat house it would probably be very cozy once the majority of the wind has stopped. The only thing that concerns me is the price but it would make me feel much better knowing the cats have a nice safe warm place to go to in the cold snowy night in Colorado.
Thanks for the solution.
Hey Heather!
I’m glad you found value in this information. Actually, this is the perfect outdoor cat house for your cats because it is designed to keep them warm in the snowy weather!
I know sometimes these things can be pricey but if you put back just $10 or so per pay cycle you’ll have the money faster than you think! Don’t underestimate the power of saving money even if its just coinage (yes, coinage) 🙂
Hope this helps and thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Marlinda
Wow, this is cool. I like how its made of eco-friendly plastic. Sometimes I have wondered if I could give the stray cats a warm place to live.
This seems like it would be a warm place to live because it’s insulated. Even though animals have natural warming mechanisms I still feel sorry for them being out in the cold.
I’m sorry what is over-foresting? (You mentioned it in reference to the coyotes) I always thought we were at risk of too much de-forestation if anything.
That’s interesting that its smell resistant. So they could pee in it all they want and it won’t get yucky in there? That is some interesting technology.
Hey Chuck!
Thanks for your comment and sharing your thoughts.
Actually, cats are not adapted to handle cold weather. They are adapted to warm, dry climates so it is up to us to put shelters out for them because they do need it, especially in the fall and winter months.
Foresting is the same as deforestation. The cutting down of trees and forests in large amounts. Coyotes and other animals are being pushed out of the forests and into cities and areas that aren’t their natural habitats.
Hope this makes sense and thanks for your question 🙂
Jeff
This is very handy to me right now. I just adopted a cat some weeks back and I want to get him a house of his own but when I tried to get help concerning building a wooden home, they said that rain would spoil it and also that a plastic one would be too hot for him in the summer.
I got confused until I read this post. This is very helpful to me. This insulated house seems to be the perfect one as it blends perfectly well in all weather. Thanks for this
Hey Mattias!
First of all, I want to say a big THANK YOU for caring for your outside buddy. I’m glad that this information could help you find the purrfect home for him/her and I hope s/he likes it!
Take care 🙂
Marlinda
Jeff your article was awesome! I’m an owner of 4 cats and we take care of some of the strays that come into our backyard.
This product would be great for the mother cat who has a litter every summer. We have tried the plastic storage bins but the weather always destroys it.
I think the Kitty tube would be a great addition to our backyard and we’ll feel better knowing the kittens are protected. The fact that it’s scratch-resistant, and moisture resistant is a plus, I’m like you as well I don’t like things scratched up or moldy.
The price is affordable and although they charge a fee to return at least they offer something back. Overall this is a great article and I will pass it along to my cousin who has a lot of strays in her backyard.
Thanks Jeff!
Hey Marci,
First of all, I want to say a big THANK YOU for caring about the strays in your area. That is so nice of you to help the mother cat and I appreciate your feedback on other DIY outdoor cat houses you’ve tried in the past.
I hope that they enjoy their new home!
Take care,
Jeff
This insulated cat house looks like the real deal. One thing I like about it is the fact that it is cat destructive resistant.
My sister’s cat is like that. He keeps scratching anything.
I like the fact that it can be used in any climate. Warm in the cold and cool in the hot. It’s just the best and I’m sure her cat will be spending more Tims in this outdoor cat house.
Thank you for a good review!
Hey Henderson!
Thanks for your comment and sharing your thoughts with us. We really appreciate it and hope that your sister’s cats find it comfy and cozy.
If you want to learn more about how to handle your sister’s cat’s scratching, check out this guide my wife done on her site Cat Climbing Structures. It goes into pretty much everything you need to know about cat scratching.
>Click here to learn more
Hi, Loved the review.
I have two cats that are left outside during the day and sometimes at night when they refuse to come in. This product sounds great for their safety.
I live in the country and my two main concerns when my cats are outside is the weather and attacks from other animals. The Kitty-Tube-Gen-3 sounds perfect to protect them and I am considering purchasing.
I do have a question, can it be attached to a base so that strong wind won’t dislodge the unit. Also if it is possible to attach the unit it would then be possible to elevate it on a small structure and take care of one of your concern about design.
I will await your response before purchasing!
Hey Martine!
Thanks for sharing about your cats.
Yes, the weather and animals are a big factor. That’s one thing that I love about it is that it protects cats from coyotes and other predators.
As for the wind, yeah, it can get really strong with storms and hurricanes so attaching it to a base is an awesome idea. You will have to do it yourself of course.
You can fasten it down with screws to a plank of wood or build a table sort of thing and secure it to your porch or something sturdy like that. Just depends on your house and setup.
You can have it elevated as long as the cats can get to it. I like to leave room for food bowls too because it makes them more comfortable with the surface, area, structure, etc. because not all the time they understand what it is even though we put it out to protect them.
Food equals good so it usually helps them feel at ease and comfortable.
Hope this makes sense and helps. I appreciate your comment and question 🙂
Jeff