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If you have a feral cat who’s called your house home or an outdoor cat of your own—you might want to consider an outdoor cat shelter. Not all days glow with sunshine, which means wet and cold kitties stuck outside in the rain or snow. Adding a cat shelter to your porch, balcony, in your garage, barn, or as a backyard addition can provide both warmth and protection for your cat.
You are watching: The Best Cat Shelter to Keep Your Pet Protected and Safe
The best cat shelter will protect against the elements—rain, wind, cold, snow, and predators. Read on to learn about the features and factors to consider as you shop for cat houses, and find out why the following models are among the best cat shelters available for your feline friends.
- BEST OVERALL: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Petmate Barnhome III, UP to 15LBS
- BEST FOR SMALL CATS: CO-Z Topnotch Weatherproof Outdoor Wooden Cat Shelter
- BEST DESIGN: PETYELLA Heated cat Houses for Outdoor Cats in Winter
- BEST WEATHERPROOF: Aivituvin Cat House Outdoor Cat Shelter Weatherproof
- BEST TWO-STORY: Petsfit 2-Story Weatherproof Outdoor Cat House
- BEST FOR INDOOR CATS: Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen
- BEST FOR TWO CATS: Kitty City Outdoor Cabin Cat House, Water Resistant
What to Consider When Buying the Best Cat Shelter
When shopping for the best cat shelter, consider the cat’s size, the number of kitties who might try to fit inside, and whether or not they all get along. Also factor in the seasons and weather conditions they’ll use the house for—sunny, warm weather or cold, wet weather. Will you place the house close to the garden, on a porch, in a garage, or under a special outdoor upgrade where it has additional protection? Insulation and weatherproofing will play a key role. You’ll also want a cat shelter that’s easy to set up and to clean, so keep the features below in mind when shopping for the best cat shelter for your feline friends.
Size
When looking at the size of a cat shelter, there are a few factors to consider: the cat’s size, the number of cats who will use the house, and whether they all get along.
Single cat houses will work fine for most cats, but if your kitty weighs more than average, you may need something bigger. Ideally, your cat should be able to comfortably turn around in. Remember too, that if the house has too much room, it will take longer to warm up and keep warm.
For multiple cats that all get along and typically sleep together indoors, look for a cat condo that provides enough space for two or more cats. They’ll be able to warm up the available space together.
For those looking to purchase a house for multiple feral cats or for household cats that aren’t the best of friends, you might want to consider buying more than one kitty home.
Insulation
Insulation comes in various forms. Some houses come with heating pads or sleeping mats to provide extra heat on colder days. If you purchase a home that doesn’t have a heating pad, you can buy them separately. Place these houses in a dry, safe place as they should not come into contact with water.
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Some houses have padded insulated fabric that helps to hold in the heat, and some materials, like wood, are natural insulators. Regardless, it’s a good idea to add insulation, like a bed, blankets, or other insulation, like straw for nesting, during colder months.
Weatherproofing
Location, location, location—as they say. It’s best to keep cat shelters in dry, sheltered locations for those who will use them on rainy and snowy days—such as a porch, a garage, or a balcony.
Apart from the cover, materials and construction play a crucial role in weatherproofing. Cat houses typically come in three materials: wood, plastic, or fabric.
A wood house provides fair weatherproofing. It protects against rain, wind, cold, and snow. Many wood homes come with asphalt roofs that offer additional protection against the rain. Wood, however, is vulnerable to rot with continued water exposure.
Plastic has good wind-blocking properties but doesn’t give off a whole lot of heat during colder months. If you’re planning on using a plastic house, you’ll want to add a heating pad or blankets during cold snaps.
Fabric, even water-resistant fabric, isn’t great in direct rain and can become soaked very quickly. Most fabric houses come with heating pads, and they make an excellent choice for providing a warm and cozy space in cold weather when placed under a porch or in a garage.
As well, a house that is elevated off the ground will dry quicker and will help preserve heat.
Easy Assembling
Any outdoor cat shelter will require assembly so look for one that won’t take an engineering degree. There are plastic and wood houses that snap together and others that require screws. Some homes come with pre-drilled screw holes to make assembly easier.
Fabric houses usually have hook-and-loop fasteners or zippers. They’re generally effortless to build. Look at the product details so that you have an idea of the commitment you’re signing up for before buying.
Cleaning and Maintenance
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Eventually, the house will need to be cleaned, so disassembly or simple access comes into play as well. Keeping the house clean and ensuring there are no bugs or other contaminants in the home that can cause harm, will keep the cat comfortable and healthy.
Wood houses might have doors that open to allow access to the inside for washing. Some also have slide out floors that are easy to wipe down. Most fabric homes can be spot-cleaned and plastic houses can be hosed down. Some heating pad covers are machine washable but be sure to read the instructions before washing the heating pad itself.
Plastic houses can fade in direct sunlight. Wood homes will require maintenance after a few years—a fresh coat of paint, for instance—which means sanding too. If you have cats who love to scratch, a fabric house might not be the ideal choice.
Our Top Picks
The following outdoor cat shelters take into consideration all of the criteria mentioned above. These models are among the best cat shelters in their categories.
FAQs About Cat Shelters
For more information about cat shelters, check out these answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If additional concerns arise, contact the manufacturer.
Q. How can I keep outdoor cats warm during cold weather?
You can place an outdoor cat house on your porch, in your barn, or in another covered structure. Be sure to put a bed, a heating pad, or other nesting material, such as straw, to help keep the house warm.
Q. What kind of shelter do outdoor cats need?
Look for something that will protect them from the elements and that will keep them both warm and dry when it’s not sunny and beautiful outside. The house should also fit the cat in question. One big enough they can turn around in, but not so big that they can’t get warm inside and stay warm. If more than one cat will use the house and they don’t get along, you should look at purchasing more than one home.
Q. Should outdoor cat shelters have two doors?
Yes. A cat shelters with two doors allows the cat to escape if a predator comes and threatens them.
Q. How long do outdoor cat shelters last?
It depends on how well you care for the house and where you place it in your yard. A home that’s left outside all year long won’t last as long as one on a covered porch or placed inside a barn or a garage. Cleaning and maintaining the house also plays a key role in longevity.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
