Are Inside and Outside Cat Houses Interchangeable?
The short answer to whether inside and outside cat houses are interchangeable is "No.
" But the real question is why.
From the look of things, both types provide cats with a protected, cozy space to call their own.
The thing is, the needs for an outdoor cat vary like night and day from the needs of an indoor cat.
Consequently, so do their housing needs.
The following describes both types of houses and why one won't necessarily work as the other.
Indoors The cat houses for inside your home can encompass any number of cat furniture, including tree houses, cages, enclosures and something as simple as bedding.
Cages, obviously, are made from metal and can be all different sizes.
The rest of cat furniture is usually covered with carpeting, or like some scratching posts, a densely stacked cardboard.
This makes for a comfortable surface, but the cats will also tend to use it as a scratching post (rather than your own carpet or furniture).
For indoor cat houses that most resemble outside cat houses, there is the basic rectangular shape with a round entrance.
Cats, both indoor and outdoor, prefer this simple, close-fitted shape because it appeals to their love of small, dark, warm nooks.
As far as the more elaborate of indoor cat houses, they usually encompass some sort of multi-tiered tree, with platforms and crevices for cats to jump and sleep on.
Some of these models even come with hanging toys attached.
Cat bedding, like fleece and cat hammocks, should also be addressed because it's as much a part of indoor cat housing as any.
That's because an indoor cat house is basically your house, with all of the same comforts and conveniences, like a controlled temperature.
Cat furniture has the luxury of being plush, open and more delicate because it doesn't have to survive the outdoors.
And while you can use an outdoor cat house indoors, the opposite isn't true.
As just one example, the carpeting found on indoor cat houses will trap the cold outside and become stiff, or it will get wet and mold after enough time.
Outdoors Outside cat houses have a much bigger job, needing to be able to withstand the snow, rain, wind, sun, and all other weather conditions and climates.
There isn't the luxury of a controlled environment, so outdoor houses need to pull double duty by working harder but still looking nice.
Luckily, it's not hard to find attractive outside cat houses.
They are made from durable hardwoods and plastics, the same materials used for long-lasting patio furniture.
These materials are strong, waterproof and windproof and they also insulate the inside of a cat house.
In summer, they stay cooler, while in winter the cat's body heat will be trapped inside the structure, keeping him warm.
There are some unique features common to many outside cat houses that simply don't have any need on indoor cat houses.
For example, outdoor housing requires ventilation to allow air to circulate and also to reduce humidity on the interior.
All you need is one small vent near the top of your cat house; the opening is such that it won't contribute to much heat loss when your cat most needs it.
Then there are removable tops.
Detachable roofs that either come off completely or open on a hinge aren't exclusively for outdoor houses, but they certainly make it easier.
Outside cat houses tend to get dirty much more quickly as a natural result of the outdoors, so detachable roofs make cleaning out and changing soiled bedding much more convenient.
It also lets you gently lift out hurt or young animals.
Finally, raised platforms are a nice touch for outside cat houses that not only gives your cat an extra perch, but it also lifts their house away from the cold or wet ground.
" But the real question is why.
From the look of things, both types provide cats with a protected, cozy space to call their own.
The thing is, the needs for an outdoor cat vary like night and day from the needs of an indoor cat.
Consequently, so do their housing needs.
The following describes both types of houses and why one won't necessarily work as the other.
Indoors The cat houses for inside your home can encompass any number of cat furniture, including tree houses, cages, enclosures and something as simple as bedding.
Cages, obviously, are made from metal and can be all different sizes.
The rest of cat furniture is usually covered with carpeting, or like some scratching posts, a densely stacked cardboard.
This makes for a comfortable surface, but the cats will also tend to use it as a scratching post (rather than your own carpet or furniture).
For indoor cat houses that most resemble outside cat houses, there is the basic rectangular shape with a round entrance.
Cats, both indoor and outdoor, prefer this simple, close-fitted shape because it appeals to their love of small, dark, warm nooks.
As far as the more elaborate of indoor cat houses, they usually encompass some sort of multi-tiered tree, with platforms and crevices for cats to jump and sleep on.
Some of these models even come with hanging toys attached.
Cat bedding, like fleece and cat hammocks, should also be addressed because it's as much a part of indoor cat housing as any.
That's because an indoor cat house is basically your house, with all of the same comforts and conveniences, like a controlled temperature.
Cat furniture has the luxury of being plush, open and more delicate because it doesn't have to survive the outdoors.
And while you can use an outdoor cat house indoors, the opposite isn't true.
As just one example, the carpeting found on indoor cat houses will trap the cold outside and become stiff, or it will get wet and mold after enough time.
Outdoors Outside cat houses have a much bigger job, needing to be able to withstand the snow, rain, wind, sun, and all other weather conditions and climates.
There isn't the luxury of a controlled environment, so outdoor houses need to pull double duty by working harder but still looking nice.
Luckily, it's not hard to find attractive outside cat houses.
They are made from durable hardwoods and plastics, the same materials used for long-lasting patio furniture.
These materials are strong, waterproof and windproof and they also insulate the inside of a cat house.
In summer, they stay cooler, while in winter the cat's body heat will be trapped inside the structure, keeping him warm.
There are some unique features common to many outside cat houses that simply don't have any need on indoor cat houses.
For example, outdoor housing requires ventilation to allow air to circulate and also to reduce humidity on the interior.
All you need is one small vent near the top of your cat house; the opening is such that it won't contribute to much heat loss when your cat most needs it.
Then there are removable tops.
Detachable roofs that either come off completely or open on a hinge aren't exclusively for outdoor houses, but they certainly make it easier.
Outside cat houses tend to get dirty much more quickly as a natural result of the outdoors, so detachable roofs make cleaning out and changing soiled bedding much more convenient.
It also lets you gently lift out hurt or young animals.
Finally, raised platforms are a nice touch for outside cat houses that not only gives your cat an extra perch, but it also lifts their house away from the cold or wet ground.
