Cat Houses

A house is any enclosed shelter. A condo is taller, with multiple levels and cubbies for climbing and hiding. A cave is a soft, single covered nook, usually felt or wool, made for burrowing. Many pieces mix a couple of these.

Instinct. They're both predator and prey, so a covered spot with one entrance lets them watch the room while feeling safe from behind. Research shows a hiding place measurably lowers stress, which is why shy ones gravitate to boxes and closets.

In a mild climate, a well-insulated, raised shelter with straw bedding is usually enough. Once temperatures drop below freezing for long stretches, a thermostatically heated house makes a real difference for strays, ferals, and seniors.

Use straw, not blankets or hay. Straw stays dry and traps warmth, while blankets soak up moisture and freeze. Raise the house off the ground, keep the doorway small to hold heat, and face the opening away from the wind.

Big enough to turn around and curl up, but not cavernous. For outdoor shelters especially, a snug interior holds body heat better than a large one. For multi-cat homes, go for a condo with separate rooms rather than one big open box.

Usually placement or scent. Move it somewhere quiet where they already nap, rub a worn blanket inside, and don't force it. They accept a den on their own schedule, and most come around within a few days once it smells familiar.

Quality ones are. Look for a thermostatically controlled pad that warms to a safe temperature and can't be manually cranked up, plus a chew-resistant cord. Two exits also matter, so they can never get trapped inside.

A soft enclosed cave or a covered condo with a single small entrance. The more it feels like a burrow, the safer a nervous one feels. Put it in a low-traffic corner and let them discover it themselves.

Bonded pairs often will, but many prefer their own space. In a multi-cat home, a multi-room condo or a second shelter prevents squabbles, since it gives everyone a spot to retreat to without being cornered.