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Cats sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day. For kittens and senior cats, that number climbs higher. With that much time spent sleeping, the bed your cat uses is one of the most important items in their environment — not a luxury, a genuine need. The problem is that cats are famously particular about where they rest, and the wrong bed can sit ignored for months no matter what it cost.
Here is how to choose a cat bed your cat will actually use.
Watch How Your Cat Sleeps Before You Buy Anything
The single most useful thing you can do before buying a cat bed is observe your cat's sleeping behaviour for a few days. Their natural sleeping style tells you exactly what kind of bed they need:
- Curled tightly into a ball: Your cat craves warmth and security. A donut or bolster bed with raised sides they can tuck against is ideal.
- Stretched out flat: Your cat runs warm or likes space. They need a flat mat or large open bed — enclosed options will frustrate them.
- Pressed against corners or walls: Security-seeking behaviour. A hooded cave bed gives them the enclosed, sheltered space they are looking for.
- Always on high surfaces: Your cat wants elevation and visibility. A wall-mounted perch or raised cat bed suits them far better than anything floor-level.
The Main Types of Cat Beds
Bolster or donut beds: Rounded beds with raised edges all the way around. Cats curl up inside and rest their chin on the rim. Ideal for cats that sleep curled up. Usually the best starting choice if you have not bought a bed for this cat before.
Cave or hooded beds: Fully enclosed with a small entry opening. Creates a dark, private, quiet sleeping space. Excellent for anxious cats, nervous cats, or any cat that hides frequently. Also provides excellent warmth retention in winter.
Flat mats and cushions: A simple flat sleeping surface. Best for cats that sprawl or that run warm. Easy to wash and versatile — can be placed on any surface including furniture the cat already uses.
Window perch beds: Attach to windows with suction cups. Give cats elevation, sunlight, and a view — all things cats instinctively seek. Work best with cats who already spend time sitting at windows.
Heated cat beds: Contain a low-wattage heating element or reflective thermal material. Particularly valuable for senior cats with joint stiffness, cats in cold climates, and short-coated breeds. Self-warming (non-electric) versions are safe for unsupervised use.
Orthopedic cat beds: Memory foam base that reduces pressure on joints. Worth considering for any cat over 8 years old or any cat diagnosed with arthritis.
Size: The Most Common Buying Mistake
Most people buy cat beds that are too small. A sleeping cat looks about half their actual size. Measure your cat from nose to tail base and add at least 20–25 cm to give them room to stretch, shift, and resettle. If you are uncertain between two sizes, go larger — cats can curl up in a big bed, but they cannot relax in one that is too small.
Materials and Warmth
Cats are heat-seeking animals. They will consistently choose the warmest available sleeping spot. Materials that work well:
- Sherpa fleece: Soft, warm, and most cats are drawn to the texture immediately
- Plush or faux fur: Mimics the warmth and texture of another animal — especially appealing to cats that grew up with siblings
- Cotton: Breathable and cooler — better for summer or warm climates
- Memory foam base with soft topper: Supportive from below with warmth on the surface — best for senior and arthritic cats
Avoid materials that pill, shed loose fibres, or have strong chemical smells when new. Cats have highly sensitive noses and may reject a bed purely based on scent before they ever try sleeping in it.
Washability: Non-Negotiable
Cat beds need washing regularly — at least every two weeks, more often if your cat has skin conditions or allergies. Before buying, confirm:
- The cover is removable and machine washable
- The inner cushion can also be washed or thoroughly air-dried
- The fabric holds its shape and softness after repeated washing
A bed that cannot be easily cleaned will eventually be discarded, no matter how much you spent on it.
Where You Put the Bed Matters
Even a perfect bed will be ignored if it is in the wrong spot. Cats prefer to sleep:
- Somewhere elevated if possible — on top of a cat tree, shelf, or sofa
- Somewhere with a view of the room or the door
- Away from high-traffic areas and loud appliances
- Near a warm source — beside a radiator, in a patch of sunlight, or near where you sleep
When introducing a new bed, start by placing it exactly where your cat already sleeps voluntarily. Once they are using it consistently in that location, you can gradually move it.
How to Get Your Cat to Actually Use the New Bed
Never push a cat toward something new. Instead:
- Place a worn piece of your clothing in the bed — your scent signals that the space is safe
- Sprinkle a small amount of dried catnip on the surface
- Put it where the cat already sleeps, not where you want it to go
- Leave it alone — cats investigate on their own timeline, not yours
Most cats begin using a new bed within 3–7 days. If they are still avoiding it after two weeks, try a different location before deciding they dislike the bed itself. Location is usually the issue, not the bed.
