The 9 Best Cat Cages
Updated by · How we research
Wire cages, rolling catios, mesh tents and a travel pen compared on room, doors, kitten safety and setup. The MidWest Folding Cat Playpen leads indoors. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A cat cage works best as a short-term tool, not a home. Fosters and vets use one for slow introductions, rest after surgery and litters of kittens, and a good one leaves room for a litter box, a bed and a perch. Outdoor catios and mesh tents give indoor cats fresh air without the risks of roaming free.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The MidWest Folding Cat Playpen takes the top spot. It comes with a bed, a tray and two wide doors, it folds away between foster cats, and the design has been on sale for years. Only three picks from the 2020 version survive. The A4 Pet Portable, Iris Playpen, Sport Pet Designs Car Crate and Yaheetech 4-Tier are no longer sold, we found no current listing for the Wildwhiskers Feline Funhouse, the Homey Pet Open Top is now a dog crate, and the Paw Hut Catio gave way to a newer, larger window model, the PawHut Window Catio. The Prevue 7500 Cat Home, Outback Jack Kitty Compound and Pet Fit For Life Carrier stay.
People who land here want one of two things: a cage for inside the house or a safe way to put a cat outdoors, so the list covers both. For the indoor picks, the makers' own limits mattered most, such as Prevue's note that its inch-wide bar spacing isn't for newborn kittens and Homey Pet's warning that Maine Coons won't fit. For the outdoor picks, we weighed each design against a veterinary group's guide to cat introductions and a published catio building plan.
September 22, 2020:
While a cage or other enclosure, (aside from a carrier for vet visits) is not part of the standard equipment most cat lovers will need, they're an essential tool for families who foster other cats, as it's important to give the new residents time to acclimate to their surroundings and other animals in the home. Our top choice, the Prevue Pet Products Premium, is a comfortable, safe way for animals to take a few days to get to know one another. There's plenty of space for everyone to play if you're taking in multiple kittens, and the higher perches allow the fosters to get away from the other pets in the house if they are hanging around the cage too much.
Cat parents who live in urban or suburban areas are less likely to let their pets to roam free, if it's even allowed, but most cats love fresh air, sunbathing, and viewing the backyard wildlife up close. Unless you keep it in a garage or shed, it's likely to be unwieldy dragging the heavier metal cages to the back yard. So for this update we added the Paw Hut Catio for outdoorsy cats who aren't allowed to roam. The metal mesh can't be clawed through like fabric choices, so you don't have to worry about even determined escape artists getting out, or predators getting in.
There are plenty of less permanent, portable enclosures on the market that make it possible for felines to safely enjoy the outdoors for a few hours with supervision. Some of these budget-friendly, portable options make it possible to bring your kitty on a trip and not be cramped in a small carrier the whole time. The A4 Pet Portable folds flat to fit in a suitcase or your trunk, but it's made of much sturdier mesh than many pop-up type enclosures. It's large enough to comfortably isolate your pet for a few days in a new environment, and mesh all the way around will let in outdoor breezes.
October 04, 2019:
Cat cages are available in a wide variety of sizes and materials, ranging from collapsible models for occasional use to heavy-duty metal ones suitable for long-term use. We made sure to provide a range of styles, so whether you just want something for trips to the vet, or you need to keep your cat penned up every time you leave the house, there's something on our list to meet your needs.
For home use, a large, tiered model will provide plenty of space for cats to move and play, which is a must if they're going to be caged for more than just an hour or two at a time. Most of them are available in multiple sizes ranging from two to four tiers and can accommodate several cats at once, assuming they get along well. The Prevue Pet Products Deluxe is specifically designed to prevent cats from getting their paws stuck or pinched, and both of its doors measure approximately 18" by 18", making it easier for you to reach in and feed or pick them up. Both the YesHom 2 Door and Yaheetech Kitten Crate have ramps between the levels, which is good for kittens and older cats who can't jump high enough to reach the upper tiers.
If you only need to use it occasionally, a collapsible cage is a good option, as they take up almost no storage space when folded flat. The Necoichi Portable features roll-up mesh panels, so you can leave it open for cats to crawl in and out of, or closed to keep them from escaping. The Pet Fit For Life has a similar design and is available in two sizes. The large model comes with a collapsible bowl and litter box, a feather wand toy, and four stakes you can use to secure it to the ground for outdoor use. It also has integrated seatbelt straps to hold it in place during trips in the car. While both of these models have handles on top, they're not the best for transporting animals as they do not have rigid bottoms, which makes them tough to carry with a cat inside.
If you need something to keep your pet safe when traveling, you'll want a carrier with a sturdy base. The Frieq Travel can hold up to 26 pounds, so it's perfect for large cats, and it opens from the top and the front for multiple points of entry and exit. The AmazonBasics Soft Crate has mesh panels on all four sides for good ventilation and comes with detachable pockets for treats, toys, and other supplies. Both of these carriers also fold up for compact storage.
Special Honors
ProtectaPet This British company makes cat-proof fence toppers, freestanding enclosures, catios and balcony kits, with installation in parts of Europe and DIY guides for the rest. It's a good place to start for UK readers who want a whole garden made cat-safe rather than a single cage. protectapet.com
Catio Spaces Based in the Seattle area, Catio Spaces sells do-it-yourself catio plans, from small window boxes to walk-in sanctuaries and tunnels, and designs custom builds. Its plans suit owners who want a catio sized to their own window, deck or yard. catiospaces.com
When A Cage Helps, And When It Doesn't
A roomy wire cage can serve as that see-but-don't-touch barrier when a spare room isn't available.
A cage is a tool for a few days or weeks, not a place for a cat to live. The common reasons to own one are a new cat meeting a resident cat, rest after surgery, a mother with kittens, fostering, a move, or a kitten that can't yet be trusted alone at night. The American Association of Feline Practitioners' guide to introductions starts the new cat in a closed transition room and later lets the cats see each other through a screen, glass door or tall gate before they share space, a process it says can take days to months (AAFP). A roomy wire cage can serve as that see-but-don't-touch barrier when a spare room isn't available.
Whatever you buy, it has to hold a litter box, a bed, food and water, with room left over for the cat to stretch out. That's why 36-inch, three-level cages are the usual minimum for an adult, and why a soft carrier like the Pet Fit For Life Carrier is for trips, not daily housing. If a cat panics, cries for hours or hurts itself on the bars, stop and ask a vet for a different plan.
Bars, Doors And Size For Indoor Cages
Start with bar spacing. Prevue lists about 1 inch on its 7500 and says that suits medium to large cats but not newborn kittens (Prevue Pet Products). Many folding cages run wider: the Amazon Basics 3-Tier lists 1.36 inches. For very young kittens, choose a smaller gap, block the lower bars or use a kitten pen.
Next, check the maker's size limits. Homey Pet rates its 4-tier cage for one or two cats or a small litter of kittens and warns that Maine Coons won't fit; a large breed needs something like the taller, four-level Prevue 7500 Cat Home. Then look at the doors: two big doors, one per level, make cleaning far simpler than a single small one, and latches that lock or need two fingers keep clever cats in. A tray that slides out, locking casters and a frame that folds flat finish the list. Folding cages typically weigh close to 40 pounds, so plan for that when you carry one up stairs.
Catios, Tents And Outdoor Safety
A catio is an outdoor enclosure, often attached to a house, that lets a cat outside without letting it roam. Most have a roof, because cats climb and jump, and a good one gives sun, shade, shelter from rain and wind, a place to sleep and a litter tray (Wikipedia). The ASPCA advises keeping cats indoors, citing cars, fights, coyotes and parasites (ASPCA), and a sturdy, roofed catio is one way to get fresh air without those risks.
Build quality decides how safe it is. PETA's catio plan uses hardware cloth or cat-proof wire mesh over a wood frame, a secure door latch, and either wire or metal roofing on top (PETA). Wood frames need a sealed or stained finish outdoors and a check for loose staples and gaps every season. Pop-up mesh tents and nylon playsets are different: they are for supervised time only, because mesh won't stop a dog or raccoon and a cat can tear through it. Always give shade and water, and bring the cat in during hot afternoons. Large attached catios may need a landlord's or HOA's approval.
How we researched this
We compared about 20 cat cages, catios, mesh tents and travel pens, including the unbranded wire cages that crowd shopping results. We read the makers' specs and size limits for the nine finalists, a veterinary group's guide to cat introductions, a published catio building plan and ASPCA care guidance, analyzed owner feedback, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent tests of cat cages.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cruel to keep a cat in a cage?
Not for short, purposeful stays such as an introduction, recovery or a kitten's first nights, as long as the cage holds a litter box, bed, food and water with room to stretch. It isn't a permanent home.
What size cage does a cat need?
For one adult, a three-level cage about 36 inches long and 50 inches tall is a common minimum. Big breeds such as Maine Coons need a taller, wider model; check the maker's weight or breed limit.
Can kittens get through cage bars?
Very small kittens can slip through gaps of an inch or more. Prevue says its 1-inch spacing isn't meant for newborn kittens, so use a smaller gap or block the lower bars.
Can I leave my cat in an outdoor catio?
Only in a sturdy, roofed catio with shade, water and a litter tray, and not in hot weather. Mesh tents and nylon playsets are for supervised time only, since they won't keep out dogs or raccoons.
Do cat cages fold for storage?
Most wire cages, including the MidWest Folding Cat Playpen and Amazon Basics 3-Tier Cat Cage, fold flat but stay heavy. Rigid models such as the Prevue 7500 Cat Home and wooden catios don't fold.
