The 9 Best Heated Cat Houses
Special Honors
17-Inch Cat Townhouse This fun structure incorporates two levels of platforms, and most cats can reach the upper level easily in a single bound. It’s also equipped with front and back decks for easy access to either story. This highly customizable choice can be purchased with heating pads for one or both levels, as well as name plates, peek-a-book clean-out doors, and lockable doors. The whole system is supported by 3-by-3-inch treated posts designed to resist wind, rotting, and warping. blythewoodworks.com
Editor's Notes
October 13, 2020:
While a sturdy cat house provides your feline with a spot of their own to relax, play, and sleep, all of the models here provide an added element of heat, so your beloved pet will be warm and comfortable either indoors or in a garage or covered porch. Today we added in the Furhome Collective Shelter, an item that’s unique to the list in that it actually sits two inches above the ground. This helps ensure your pet stays warm and dry, and it also gives any water on the ground the ability to flow underneath it freely. It’s held up by five sturdy legs, and also incorporates a waterproof roof and base. In addition to its heating pad, your pet will also be kept warm by the insulated walls. The heater is controlled by a plug-in timer, so you can set it to turn off at the designated hour of your choice. For a somewhat similar model, but one which sits directly on the ground, check out the highly rated K&H Kitty House, which features a sturdy nylon exterior and an overhanging roof that help protect your cat from the elements. This one provides a built-in thermostat that allows you to control the temperature, and you can rest assured it meets or exceeds all U.S. electrical safety standards.
If you or your pet appreciate a touch of whimsy, check out the Petyella Premium, which is modeled after a quaint brick cottage. An address number is displayed on the front, along with a drawing of a "Home Sweet Home" plaque and flowerpots. It can be anchored easily to the ground, thanks to the four grommeted tabs that are attached to the waterproof base. For a model that lets you choose from among seven temperature settings, look to the Petfactors Shelter, which comes with a controller that allows you to set it between 77 and 131 degrees Fahrenheit. It also offers standby and constant heat modes, and comes in a fun green camouflage pattern.
For safety’s sake, always check with your veterinarian before purchasing a heated cat house for a kitten, an older cat, an injured one, or those with any health conditions. Always unplug the heating element when it is not in use. While these may feature some waterproof or water-resistant materials, none of them are meant to be placed outside in the open without some shelter from a covered porch, a garage, or a barn.
October 30, 2019:
It could be tempting take any outdoor cat shelter and install a heating pad in it and call it heated; but these models are equipped with pads that are safe to use with the materials the house is made of and most importantly safe to use outdoors, (with the exception of the K&H Kitty Sleephouse, the one indoor model we selected). In addition, the houses on this list come with a pad that fits snugly in the footprint of the shelter, making the space quick to heat and providing better warmth.
No outdoor kitty house is going to be completely weather-proof, even a wooden one like the Birchwood Manor, unless it's been insulated and sealed like a real house. All of these models are water-resistant, but will get your cat wet in a torrential downpour. They aren't meant to be placed in the middle of your back yard, but rather under a covered patio or deck, or even inside a garage. They'll need to be close to your house anyway if you want to plug them in.
We decided to remove the Mod Thermo-Kitty from the list because it was the only outdoor option that didn't provide two exits, which is a vital safety feature so that your pet can escape if a predator is blocking one door. It was replaced with the Paw Hut Portable, which is of a similar quality, size and functionality, with the safety of the second exit.
Why Your Cat Needs A Heated House
If he had a heated cat house, you could probably bet on finding him there and avoid the panic of thinking he's gone for good.
Your cat wants an upgrade from that regular old house. You may have noticed it because you find him curled up in laundry baskets under piles of clothes, or inside of shoe boxes. Though the pet and owner relationship is a complex one, this is likely not your feline's way of saying he needs space away from you. He is probably just a bit cold. Though he does have ways to manipulate you into doing what he wants, he can't ask you, with words, for a heated cat bed, so you just need to read the cues. Keep in mind that a cat's body temperature is between 99.2 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. It's quite possible that your home isn't built to keep your pet in a comfortable climate, but a heated house can.
It's especially important that older cats, who may suffer from arthritis, always have access to a warm and cozy place to rest. Constant exposure to cold air can be tough on their joints. Even if your fur baby barely spends time outdoors, lying on a regular bed inside may still be insufficient. Cold air can creep up through the cracks in your floors, and since your kitty likely sleeps on a bed directly over the hardwood or tile, that draft can reach him fast. If you have a sick cat, or one recovering from surgery, you certainly want to give him a reliable place to find warmth. Without his own little warm spot, he'll constantly be in search of one, crawling through closet shelves and your freshly laundered clothes — but he needs his rest. When he knows he can always find a comfortable climate in his house, he won't over-extend himself.
Most cat owners have had the experience of looking for their cat for hours, certain he's run away, only to find him curled up in the most remote and strange corner of the home. You've likely been late to important meetings and appointments because you couldn't locate your meowing companion. As stated before, he's not hiding from you; he was just seeking warmth. If he had a heated cat house, you could probably bet on finding him there and avoid the panic of thinking he's gone for good. Should you let your cat roam outside, providing him with a heated house suited for the outdoors is especially important. You aren't home to open and close the door every time Fluffy wants in or out, and leaving a window permanently open leaves your home at risk of burglary. So, lock up, and give your kitty a place to escape the cold until you're home to let him in.
What To Look For In A Heated Cat House
You should put just as much thought into the purchase of your cat's house as you did your own. Alright, maybe not quite, but kitty has high standards and she does a lot for your well-being, so she deserves a quality home. If this is meant to go outdoors, make sure your model is made from sturdy materials like wood or nylon, is waterproof, and has a robust roof that can withstand falling objects and strong winds. It is also important that it has a back and front entrance, so your feline has a quick way to escape in the presence of predators. Check the temperature ratings — if you live in a particularly cold climate, you'll want a model that stays toasty even in sub-zero degrees.
Though your kitty is surely perfect and knows how to use her litter box, accidents do happen, and when they do, you'll want a house that's easy to spot clean.
Should you just need an indoor model, you can opt for one made from softer materials, but make sure the floor is thick. Fluffy deserves a comfy, padded surface to sleep on. Some even have soft tops, so when your cat is feeling social, she can climb on top and accept affection. If you have several cats, or you know Cupcake will want to drag her favorite toys inside, get a spacious model.
Though your kitty is surely perfect and knows how to use her litter box, accidents do happen, and when they do, you'll want a house that's easy to spot clean. Some have beds that are machine-washable, too. If your cat is quite spoiled and has several houses you swap out for her during the year, you may want a design that folds up for storage. That being said, if you're actually trying to consolidate your belongings more, then you may want a house with a removable heater that can be used for winter or summer.
Other Items To Improve Your Cat's Comfort
The four-legged love of your life deserves nice things. Luckily, there are tons of toys and accessories to keep him content. Some of those items, like scratcher lounges, will keep you happy, too. Felines need to scratch — it's part of who they are. It's how they mark their territory, get rid of dead cells at the end of their claws, and do some nice stretching. If you don't want to find your new designer couch completely destroyed by this process, then give Fluffy a scratcher lounge.
Want to make some Instagram-worthy videos with your furry acrobat? Pick up a laser toy. You know your pet will go to great lengths, literally, to chase that light around, giving him a great workout, and you some funny footage. When he's tuckered out, he'll be grateful for a hammock to rest in. These give cats an elevated place from which they can keep an eye on things (as you know they like to do), and keep them off the hot ground in summer.
If you want a one-stop shop for all of your pet's needs, get a cat tree. They're a nice combination of scratching posts, lounging areas, and places to burrow. No matter which one of your cat's many moods he is in, he'll find a way to satisfy it on a tree. If you like to let your fur baby outdoors, make sure he has a stylish collar for identification tags.