About Cat Houses

Considerations

• Outdoor cats tend to have much shorter life spans than indoor cats. It's important to consider what is best for your animal regarding exercise but also safety. If there are predators around your home, it might be best to consider keeping your cat indoors. It's entirely possible to bring the cat house inside to enjoy. Cats love to hide and sleep in enclosed spots. If you choose to have your cat play outdoors, make sure his cat house is insulated enough to protect from the weather. The base of the cat house should be raised off the ground to avoid moisture seeping into the house. Pets should always be brought inside during periods of extreme cold or heat. Many cat owners choose to have an indoor cat house for their pets. Indoor cat houses still provide a place for the cat to sleep as well play areas for climbing and romping. Cats tend to appreciate having their own furniture. You'll appreciate it too when they claw a scratching post rather than your nice sofa.

Features

• The design of a cat house can vary just as much as the colors of your cat's fur. Some cat houses are simple boxes with an opening for entry. Others include two or more rooms for multiple cats, windows and a porch area for basking in the sun. More elaborate cat houses include multiple levels designed to interest the cat in investigating their house. Still others have cat-type playground activities such as scratching posts and platforms for your cat to romp and play with his feline companions. All cat houses are made of weather resistant materials. In addition, many include insulation to protect your cat from the elements. Since these enclosures are typically outside, many also incorporate the use of a pet door to block out the wind or weather. More advanced models also include a removable roof for cleaning.

Types

• Unlike other types of cat furniture, cat houses work to protect your animal with a complete enclosure. Think of it as a cat's play house. Other types of cat furniture have different purposes. Cat towers are solely for climbing and exercise with multilevel platforms and perches. Cat condos are enclosed, cubicle-like structures that allow for sleeping but also play. Both cat towers and condos are used inside the home and are covered with soft carpeting and sisal rope for scratching. Cat houses are typically made of pressure-treated wood and can handle being exposed to the extremes in outside temperature. However, it's entirely acceptable to bring your cat house inside. You can be sure your cat will use the cat house to the fullest.

Benefits

• Anything that encourages your cat to play and be active is great for the animal. Exercise is important for cats but especially for older animals. Just as humans do when they age, cats show a decrease in metabolism as they get older. Adding a cat house to the mix of entertainment for your cat encourages them to climb, stretch, and work his muscles every day.

Misconceptions

• Allowing your cat to play outdoors seems to encourage fitness and health in the animal. In truth, this is not the case. Outdoor cats face dangers from other animals, diseases, and injury from cars and sometimes humans. While your cat might be getting more exercise, this benefit shouldn't be considered above the animal's safety. Many cat owners choose to incorporate an invisible fence system or stockade fence to keep their cats in the fines of the yard. This protects the animals from predators but still gives them the ability to romp and play outside. Cats love the motion of birds, movements of the trees and basking in a sunny spot on the grass. However, the average life expectancy for an outdoor cat is considerably less than an indoor cat. When choosing a cat house, whether you put it indoors or outdoors, you should consider your cat's health and safety.