Although domestic cats may not rack up as many REMs as big cats (male lions sleep about 20 hours a day), most feline family members sleep from 12 to 16 hours per day.
With that much napping, your cat needs to be comfortable, and you can help by finding the purrfect bed.
Washer-friendly
Regardless of a cat’s renowned grooming habits, their beds often get filthy.
They can quickly become covered in hair, bacteria or even fleas. The first thing you should do when bed shopping is research how easy the material is to clean. Removable, washable covers are a must whether you buy or make your own cat bed.
Tip: Avoid woven beds that have tassels and beads, as these decorations can easily loosen and become choking hazards.
Basic or acrobatic beds
Cat beds often appear a lot more fun than human beds, not counting those cool airplane and racecar ones you or your kids may have slept in. It all depends on how elaborate you want to go and how much money you can spend.
Cat beds have truly branched out. You can find tree-like pedestals that support several different perches for napping. Best suited for younger, active cats, these tree beds can provide beneficial, extra exercise because your kitten has to climb them to go to sleep.
Consider how your cat likes to catch her zzzs. If she always curls up, she’ll do well with a cup-style bed that surrounds her with sides she can easily negotiate.
If your feline prefers hide ’n’ not seek spaces, like under a couch or in your sweater drawer, she may like a cave-style bed. These beds create an enclosed shelter that can help shyer cats feel a sense of security.
Older cats do best with beds that are easier to access thanks to lower sides or even ramps.
Location, location, location
As we all know, cats like doing things their way. You may very well end up spending months searching for the perfect cat bed, only to find your Queen of the Living Room shuns it. It might not be the bed itself that she dislikes, rather the location.
To find that sweet sleep spot, place your cat’s bed where she most often naps. If she dozes frequently on your sofa’s armrest, put her bed beneath that armrest.
If she still chooses the armrest over her bed, you may want to place the bed on a sturdy platform to replicate her elevated sleep preference.
Some cats require more than one bed, in different locations. If your feline becomes a scaredy cat during fireworks or storms, consider keeping a bed inside one of your closets. For sun-worshipping felines, place the bed in a sunny spot where they can soak up the rays.
Your cat may not show any gratitude for her new bed(s) but when you see her lounging comfortably or curled up snoozing, you can rest easy knowing your efforts are appreciated.
