The Best Cat Tents

Cat tents are a fabulous way to give your cat more time outside while keeping them safe from predators and other scary things in the wild. They also make it much easier to take your fuzzy feline camping or hiking with you. There are many different styles and sizes, so we did the leg work to help you narrow the options.

What to Look For

While deciding which cat tent would work best for your pet, we recommend focusing on crucial details, including size, sturdiness, and portability. For example, if you just want to give your new kitten a little playtime outside, the Fooubaby pop-up cat tent is perfect. It’s lightweight, compact, and easy for you to set up and take back down as needed. On the other hand, if you have a large adult feline that needs room to roam, the multi-level tent from Outback Jack is probably the better choice. Either way, we have you covered with the list below.

Fooubaby Pop-Up Cat Tent

Affordable convenience

You can save money while giving your kitty a cozy spot to hang out with this pop-up tent.
Best Overall

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You don’t need to spend a ton of money to give your cat their own place to sleep, play, and hang out. The Fooubaby pop-up cat tent is affordable and super lightweight. You can use it indoors when you need a safe place to keep your pet while you work or sleep or set it up outside to give them a bit of fresh air and sunlight.

Pros:

  • The tarp material that makes up the bottom of this tent keeps water and mud off of your cat.
  • It folds compactly for convenient storage between uses, and you can slide it into a cabinet, closet, or outdoor shed.
  • You can use this tent to keep your pet safe from bugs and predators while they hang out.

Cons:

  • Aggressive cats can tear through the netting if they try hard enough.

YDYL Mesh Cat Play House

Expandable entertainment

Adding fun tunnels and toys to this handy tent makes it a fun retreat for your pet.
Runner Up

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This mesh cat tent from YDYL provides a convenient outdoor space for your cats to play and relax while they soak up some sun and fresh air. Its large size makes it an excellent choice for multi-cat families, and you can easily set up a litter box on one end and beds on the other with plenty of room to spare. Best of all, the all-over mesh gives them a broad view of the world while you keep a close eye on them.

Pros:

  • The mesh is sturdy, making it nearly impossible for cats to claw their way out.
  • Setting it up takes under a minute, and you won’t need any tools or special equipment to get it done.
  • Between the size and sturdiness, this is an excellent choice for containing kittens when you’re busy.

Cons:

  • This tent has tunnel connections, but the tunnels aren’t included.

Outingpet Cat Tent

Effortless travel

This UV-resistant tent is so lightweight that you could almost forget it's there.
Most Lightweight

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The more weight you have to carry, the harder it can be to travel. Fortunately, The Outingpet cat tent is super light and easy to pack up in a suitcase or day bag without weighing you down. An anti-UV cover adds further protection to the already durable poles and mesh. And with over 15 square feet of space, you have plenty of room to add a litterbox, bed, and a few toys.

Pros:

  • This tent can be very helpful in introducing new cats into your home. It provides enough space while keeping new and old cats separate.
  • It’s very light and easy to set up and take back down, making it one of the best choices for travel.
  • The rectangular shape helps it fit into the corners of most rooms and decks.

Cons:

  • While the mesh is relatively durable, it isn’t ideal for cats who purposefully try to escape.

Outback Jack Portable Cat Enclosure

Portable living

This tent has plenty of space for playing and sleeping, and there's even a spot for a litter box.
Most Levels

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The Outback Jack portable cat enclosure is an easy-open tent with three levels of living space. Your cat can sleep and play on the two built-in catio-style nylon shelves, and you can set up a litterbox and maybe some food or water on the bottom.  Consider the sturdiness, style, and overall convenience, we think this tent is a fantastic choice.

Pros:

  • It lasts for a long time, and many breeders and rescuers recommend it for kitten containment.
  • There’s a zippered hole for attaching tunnels for more playtime.
  • An included bag securely holds the tent when you don’t need it, so you don’t need to worry about storage.

Cons:

  • Getting this tent set up may be simple, but taking it back down can be more challenging.

X-Zone Pet Foldable Tent

Long-term sturdiness

Heavy-duty materials and a strong build make this tent perfect for on-the-go living.
Most Durable

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If your cat has scratched and clawed its way out of every other tent you’ve tried, the X-Zone Pet foldable tent may be just what you need. Premium Oxford fabric stands up to their aggressive attempts to get out while keeping other animals out. It has a sunshade you zip right on, and you can fold it up neatly for travel. In fact, it’s one of our favorite choices for camping or nomadic lifestyles.

Pros:

  • You can use this tent for containing your cat or kittens overnight or while you’re at work without worrying about escape.
  • It comes in several sizes, the largest of which has enough room for you to hang out inside with your cat.
  • While there are windows your cat can see out of, the thick fabric allows for privacy and a sense of security.

Cons:

  • Your cat can easily climb out if you forget to secure the sunshade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it dangerous to allow my cat outside without a tent?

Hawks, eagles, dogs, coyotes, bobcats, and feral felines all pose a threat to your cute house kitty. Mosquitoes and other pests can also be dangerous. Tents allow your cat to get fresh air, sunlight, and mental enrichment without worry.

Why should I choose a tent over a catio?

Catios are fabulous, but they take up quite a bit of space, so if you live on the go or only plan to bring your cat outside occasionally, tents are the better choice.

About the Author

Chelsia has grown up with cats all her life and now has two of her very own. As a mom of five kids, Chelsia has lots of little tricks to share about caring for and training cats to live harmoniously with everyone else in the home. She also knows the latest gadgets to make caring for cats a breeze so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time worrying about cleaning up after your furry friends.

Why Trust Us

Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.