An Outdoor Cathouse Is Nothing To Hiss At

You're likely familiar with the classic image of a doghouse. It's even become a part of American culture. Just think of Snoopy from Peanuts. Less well-known is the outdoor cathouse. A lot of folks who live in rural or suburban areas own outdoor cats but lack an outdoor shelter, like a barn, in which to protect their pets. As a note, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or an urban area, it is recommended that you keep your furry friends indoors. It's truly in their best interest as far as safety. If you have the means, though, an outdoor cathouse is a great buy.

An outdoor cathouse is a structure designed to keep felines cooler in the summertime and warmer in winter. They're often made from wood or durable poly plastic. The benefit of wood is that it's natural looking, long-lasting and many varieties, like cedar, naturally repel insects. Plastics are popular too, though. They are colorful and can be molded into different shapes. Plus, they usually come already assembled and can be cleaned using a rag or even a hose.

Whatever type of cathouse you decide to go with, make sure it's ventilated to allow air to circulate and to minimize humidity. Also, it needs to be leak proof so that you pet won't get wet when it rains. Besides, wet wood leads to rotting and mildew.

There are different sizes of outdoor cathouse, but the general rule of thumb is that you want one that's big enough for your cat to lie down comfortably in, but not so big that there's unnecessary heat loss from all the extra space. If you have multiple cats, or for reason own a bigger species of cat, you may want to go with a larger house, but just realize that less is more.

The doors of these cathouses are either square-shaped holes, like on a doghouse, or even circular, like a birdhouse. The reason is because cats tend to be smaller and more flexible than canines. Often times, these entrances are positioned off-center, so that your pet won't have to bear the brunt of whatever harsh weather is coming in. At the same time, you can find cathouses with detachable flap doors, akin to dog doors, which offer an added measure of draft protection.

There are some additional features you might want to look for that don't necessarily come standard with all models. For one, elevated floors, or an entirely elevated platform house will keep your cat away from the alternately cold or wet ground. Similar to this are attached platforms, lofts and even roof decks. You won't find these on any doghouse, but they're ideal for the agile feline as a comfortable perch.

An outdoor cathouse or even a doghouse, can be so elaborate that they're made to look like miniature versions of human structures. There are barns, cabins, mansions with attached deck, and covered porches for instance. For cats, there's even the bi-level townhouse.

Two other things to look for are a detachable roof and appropriate bedding. A detachable roof is not so much an instant skylight for your cat, but rather makes it easier for the owner to reach in and pick up puppies, kittens or especially shy or invalid pets. Bedding, then does not usually come with the house itself, but should be purchased for a comfortable and insulated base. Make sure that cushions are washable, waterproof and fit completely inside your outdoor cathouse.