Where Do Cats Sleep Outside at Night?

Whether your house cat loves being outside or you're showing kindness to a stray cat, you can make their evening slumber under the stars more comfortable. But first, where do cats sleep outside at night? What types of places do they instinctively seek out to feel safe and cozy? We have the inside scoop for you!

Where do outside cats like to sleep?

When a cat looks for a place to curl up and take a nap or rest for the night, they look for a secluded, private location. You might find an outdoor cat lingering under a porch, beneath a car, in your home's crawl space, or tucked in an outbuilding such as a garage, barn or shed. And you might want to look up! Some cats prefer to seek elevated hiding spots atop furniture, shelves or beams to keep an eagle eye on what's going on around them.

For a cat, seclusion also provides safety from predators while sleeping and protection from the weather. No cat wants to sleep outside in the rain or snow!

How To Make Outdoor Cats More Comfortable

Outdoor cats like to have a place to call their own. That's why you might see them creating nests in loose hay in the barn or claiming your pile of soft shop rags in the garage. Let's give our favorite felines something better.

Offer a Cat House

You've heard of dog houses, but did you know smaller, cat-sized houses are available for your outdoor dwelling felines? Yes! You have many options, and below are a few of our favorites. All of our heated cat houses are MET-safety listed with removable door flaps and thermostatically controlled floors. The thermostat is internal, providing automatic internal temperature control to ensure your cat stays comfortably warm without overheating.

Offer the cozy K&H Thermo A-Frame Heated Cat House with a cushioned, waterproof and patented heated floor system. This outdoor cat house perfectly hosts one cat on chilly days. The pyramid shape allows snow and rain to run off easily, keeping your pet warm and dry.

If you live in a more temperate climate and want an unheated cat house, the K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House comes in both unheated and heated options. This insulated cat home is a bit larger than the A-Frame Heated Cat House and features two entrance/exit openings for easy escape when needed. The heated option offers an orthopedic heated floor for extra comfort.

Do you have more than one cat sleeping outside at night? You may need a larger cat house if the felines like to snuggle up. The K&H Thermo Outdoor Multi-Kitty A-Frame offers front and rear doors and comes in both a heated and unheated version. Your pets will enjoy plenty of space to curl up and snooze. This cat house can accommodate up to four cats, depending on their size.

Another option for multi-pet homes is the K&H Outdoor Two-Story Kitty House with Dining Room and four doors. This insulated and water-resistant cat house features three rooms, two for sleeping and one for dining. The roof over the dining area lifts to make refilling the food and water bowls easy. You can choose either the heated or unheated version of this cat house.

Include Outdoor Accessories

After you've picked out the perfect place for your outdoor cat to get his evening rest or simply hide away during the day, add a few extras to keep the pet comfortable and hydrated.

If you choose the K&H Outdoor Two-Story Kitty House with Dining Room, the K&H Thermo-Kitty Cafe perfectly fits inside the enclosed dining room area. This keeps your pet's food and water out of the sun, rain and snow. The heating element in the bowl ensures that your cat(s) have access to fresh water even when it's below freezing outside.

For other cat houses, consider accessorizing with the K&H Thermal-Bowl Heated Outdoor Water Bowl so your pet has continual access to fresh, unfrozen water in winter. Place it next to the cat house, or use a K&H Outdoor Kitty Dining Room to protect food and water from the elements.

Finally, if you already have a cat house or simply want to make an open spot inside the barn, porch, garage or shed cozier for your outdoor cat, the K&H Extreme Weather Heated Kitty Pad - Petite does the trick. This small 9" x 12" thermostatically controlled pad keeps your cat warm during cooler seasons.

Be Kind to Outdoor Pets and Strays

Any animal that stays outside overnight deserves proper care. Take a moment to walk around your property to discover where your outdoor cat, or visiting cats, like to linger. You can make their stay more comfortable by offering a cat house to keep them out of the elements and provide privacy. Learn more about caring for your outdoor cats in "Can an Outdoor Cat Become an Indoor Cat?" and "How to Keep Your Outdoor Cat Safe & Warm in Cooler Weather.