Any American who resides in a quiet suburban or rural area and who is owner to outdoor cats knows the importance and need for an outside shelter for his or her feline friends.

Designed very much on the lines of a doghouse, all outdoor cat houses are so built so as to keep a cat warm and dry in the cold, rainy winter months and cool in the hot dry summer months.

All units are made from weather-resistant woods, (the same used in most outdoor furniture) and since of late also in poly resin plastics.

Wood is the most popular and is a classic choice because of its tradition as a building material and also because of its natural beauty. While some woods, like teak, are hardy and weather-resistant, other wood, like cedar, produce insect repellent tannins.

The last decade has witnessed the emergence of the outdoor cat houses made of plastics which have come a long way as far as quality and popularity are concerned. Current plastic models are extremely durable, colorful and elaborately crafted. They can be hosed clean and usually come fully assembled.

When buying an outdoor cat house make sure that is only big enough to allow the cat to comfortably lie down and turn around in, with a snug fit. A cathouse that is too big will cause the warmth produced by the cat’s body heat to quickly dissipate, actually making it colder.

Go for the slightly larger houses if you own multiple outdoor cats, or larger cats.

As far as features go, no matter what be the material they are constructed from, they must be waterproof, durable and have ventilation. Do not be taken in by appearance. You inspect one and find it is sturdy durable and waterproof, then you glance at the next it looks the same, but it may not be, inspect it to make sure.

The opening and doorway could be square, round, and even off center. Remember a cat can squeeze through small openings, and the smaller the opening the less heat is lost.

Extra protection from harsh weather, wind and moisture can be given with the addition of door vinyl flaps.

That much for the basic outdoor cat house. There are a lot of additional features on many upgraded models which are not necessary, but add convenience, are luxurious and fun.

Elevated floors or an entirely elevated house will keep your cat away from the damp and cold or wet ground. There are also cathouses with lofts and roof decks that would appeal to the climbing and jumping nature of cats, who will love lounging on their outdoor perch to survey their surroundings.

From the sublime to the ridiculous. There are outdoor cat houses that mimic the finer edifices of society, in miniature form. There are barns, cabins, mansions with attached deck, and covered porches. If you have more than one cat, you can find an ornate bi-level townhouse to mimic city living.

Last but not the least are the considerations of comfort and ease.

An easily detachable roof allows for the lifting of kittens, invalid and shy pets much more conveniently than through the front opening. It also facilitates complete cleaning of the inside of the house.

Bedding in the form of a cushion with waterproof filling and a waterproof, machine washable cover not only gives your cat a comfortable surface to lie on, they also add added insulation to the bottom of the outdoor cat house.

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