What You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Cat Bed

A cat curled up asleep in a soft covered cat bed

The right cat bed depends on your cat's age, size, personality, and preferred sleeping style. Kittens and shy cats often do best in enclosed caves or hooded beds, while senior cats benefit from supportive, padded designs such as orthopedic beds. Cats typically sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, so a well placed, properly sized, and warm bed supports both comfort and long term health. Material, budget, and your home's layout should guide the final choice.

What should you consider before choosing a cat bed?

Start by thinking about how your cat already behaves. Does your cat like being near you or prefer solitude? Does it want to watch the room or hide from it? Does it like to be tucked away and covered, or stretched out in the open? Covered beds suit shy cats who want privacy, while hanging or window beds suit cats that want to watch the world go by.

Personality: soft, cozy beds suit cats that like to snuggle in; elevated or open beds suit cats that like to perch and survey a room.
Size: choose a bed just a few inches longer than your cat. A snug space feels secure, but your cat still needs room to stretch and turn around.
Shape and style: cat beds come in many shapes and materials, so browse a few options once you know your cat's personality and your home's style.
Material: some cats prefer soft fabrics like plush or fleece, while others prefer firmer, smoother surfaces. Watch where your cat already naps for clues.
Temperature: a cat's thermoneutral zone, the range where no extra energy is needed to stay warm, sits between about 86°F and 101°F, well above most home temperatures, according to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). This is why cats often seek out warm, draft free spots for their bed.
Budget: compare prices across styles. A higher price does not always mean better comfort, so match the bed's features to what your cat actually needs.

A dedicated bed also gives your cat its own clean, separate space, apart from your furniture, which particularly helps if your cat spends time outdoors or near the litter box beforehand.

What are the different types of cat beds?

Cat beds fall into a few broad categories, each suited to different personalities, ages, and household setups.

Cat Cave Bed

Cat caves are enclosed hideaways for cats that want to feel hidden while they sleep. They suit naturally cautious cats and those that prefer dim, quiet spaces over open light. The Cozy Plush Farmhouse Cat Cave Bed offers a fully enclosed, plush retreat with a non slip base, useful for cats that like to disappear from view during the day.

A gray cat resting inside an enclosed plush cat cave bed

Open Cat Bed

Open beds suit cats that dislike enclosed spaces and prefer airflow and visibility. They work well in warm rooms or for cats that like to stretch out fully while resting.

A cat lying stretched out in an open, round cat bed

Cat Hooded Bed

Hooded beds are lightweight and partially covered, giving a snug, secure feel without fully enclosing the cat. They are especially suited to kittens and smaller cats that want warmth and a sense of shelter.

A kitten peeking out from a partially covered hooded cat bed

Cat Bed with Scratcher

A combined bed and scratcher saves space and channels natural scratching toward an appropriate surface instead of furniture. The Tote Bag Style Cat Bed And Scratcher pairs a fully covered resting space with a removable scratcher base, and folds flat for storage or travel.

A combined cat bed and scratcher with a removable scratch pad base

Cat Sleeping Mat

A sleeping mat is a flat, padded surface that fits inside a carrier, on furniture, or on a cat shelf. Mats work well for large breeds, like Maine Coons, that may not fit comfortably in smaller enclosed beds. The Super Plush Foldable Cat Mat Bed folds for travel and doubles as a light summer mat or a cozier layer in winter.

A flat, padded cat sleeping mat laid out on the floor

Plush Cushion

A plush cushion is a simple, softly padded mattress, often made from sherpa or poly cotton. It suits cats that enjoy cuddling into soft material, though cats that like to knead or chew loose fibers may wear one down faster.

A cat curled up on a soft plush cushion bed

Bolster Cat Bed

Bolster beds have raised, padded sides that give a cat something to rest its head and neck against. This design suits cats of all ages and can be especially comforting for older cats or those recovering from illness.

A cat resting its head against the raised, padded side of a bolster bed

Elevated Cat Bed

Elevated beds lift a cat off the floor and out of drafts, while staying low enough for kittens and older cats to climb onto easily. Many cats appreciate the vantage point an elevated bed gives over the room.

A cat resting on a raised, elevated cat bed frame

Cat Window Bed

Window beds attach to a windowsill and give a cat a safe, secure place to watch outside activity. They suit cats that spend a lot of time observing birds, people, or traffic through a window.

A cat lounging in a window-mounted cat bed looking outside

Orthopedic Cat Bed

Orthopedic beds use a supportive foam base to relieve pressure on stiff or arthritic joints. Up to 90% of cats over 12 years old show radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint, according to a widely cited feline arthritis prevalence study (Slingerland et al.). Most orthopedic beds are machine washable and hold their shape over repeated washes, which makes them a practical choice for senior cats.

Self-Warming Bed

Self-warming beds use insulating material that reflects a cat's own body heat back, rather than an external heat source. They are a low cost option for keeping a cat warm through colder months, particularly in draft prone rooms.

How do you get your cat to actually use a new bed?

A new bed often gets ignored at first simply because it smells unfamiliar. Most cats warm up to a new bed once it starts to smell like home. A few tips can speed that along:

Place treats or a favorite toy directly on the bed so your cat associates it with something rewarding.
Try a few different locations. A bed placed in a quiet corner may get used more than one placed in a busy hallway.
Add a sprinkle of catnip or silvervine to encourage your cat to settle in and stay.
Keep the bed in a warm, draft free spot. Cats typically sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, and since they naturally seek warmth, a bed near a heat source or sunny window tends to see more use.

A cat playing with a toy placed on top of a new cat bed

Which cat bed fits your cat's life stage or situation?

The table below matches common situations to a suitable bed type.

Situation	Best bed type	Why
Kitten or shy, cautious cat	Cave bed or hooded bed	Encloses the cat and reduces exposure to light and noise
Senior cat with stiff joints	Orthopedic bed	Supportive foam eases pressure on arthritic joints
Warm climate or summer months	Sleeping mat	Lightweight and breathable, without extra insulation
Cat that likes to scratch furniture	Bed with integrated scratcher	Combines rest with an appropriate scratching surface
Multi cat household	Elevated bed or window bed	Gives each cat its own vantage point and personal space
Cold room or drafty apartment	Self-warming or bolster bed	Retains body heat and blocks drafts along the sides

Is there one best cat bed for every cat?

There is no single best cat bed. The right choice depends on your cat's age, personality, and how it already likes to rest. Once you find a style your cat consistently uses, it is worth buying a similar style again for replacements, since cats tend to stick with a preferred shape and material over time.

FAQ

How often should I wash my cat's bed?

Most cat beds should be washed every one to two weeks, or sooner if your cat sheds heavily or spends time outdoors. Regular washing removes fur, dander, and odor buildup. Check the care label first, since some plush or foam beds are machine washable while others need spot cleaning only.

Can two cats share one bed?

Some cats happily share a bed, especially bonded pairs or littermates, while others prefer separate spaces. If your cats get along well, a larger bed or two beds placed near each other usually works better than forcing them to share one small bed.

Why does my cat sleep in the sink, bathtub, or a cardboard box instead of its bed?

Cats are drawn to cool, smooth surfaces in warm weather and to small, enclosed spaces year round because both feel secure. This does not mean your cat dislikes its bed. Placing a bed in a similarly enclosed or cool spot can encourage more consistent use.

Is it safe to add a heating pad to a cat bed?

Pet safe, low wattage heating pads designed for animal use are generally safe when placed under bedding rather than in direct contact with skin. Avoid human heating pads, which can overheat or lack chew resistant cords. Always supervise a new heat source until your cat tolerates it well.

How long does a cat bed typically last before it needs replacing?

A well made cat bed usually lasts one to three years with regular use and washing, depending on material quality and how much scratching or kneading it receives. Flattened padding, torn seams, or a persistent odor after washing are signs it is time for a replacement.

Should I place my cat's bed near the litter box or food bowls?

No. Cats generally prefer to keep sleeping, eating, and toileting areas separate, similar to their instincts in the wild. Placing a bed at least a few feet from the litter box and food area supports better hygiene and encourages your cat to actually use the bed.

Key takeaways

Match the bed type to your cat's personality: enclosed caves and hooded beds suit shy or cautious cats, while open and elevated beds suit cats that like to observe their surroundings.
Size the bed just a few inches longer than your cat for a secure, snug fit without feeling cramped.
Orthopedic beds help senior cats, since up to 90% of cats over 12 show radiographic signs of joint osteoarthritis.
Cats naturally seek warmth beyond typical room temperature, so place beds in warm, draft free spots.
Introduce a new bed gradually with treats, toys, or catnip, and expect it to take some time before your cat settles in.