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Cats can be very picky when trying to decide where to sleep. And no wonder – cats sleep an average of 15 hours a day. Depending on how busy of a night they’ve had, that number can go up to 20 hours. Since it is well established that sleeping and napping are the two most favourite activities of cats (maybe apart from eating), it is our job to provide them with the comfiest beds. The world is full of cat lovers and that’s why manufacturers have designed a great variety of cat bed models and designs. But how do you know which one is ideal for your little ball of fur?
Finding the Correct Bed Size
The size of the bed is largely dependent on the size of your cat. If you have a small cat, the bed should match her size. Even though a larger bed would provide, say a Singapura, with more space, cats are particular about where the edges of the bed are. They like to feel that they are the only one in the bed, hence the phrase “If I fits I sits”. To find the perfect size of cat bed for your furry pal, measure her length (without the tail) and add a few centimetres to give your cat some wiggle room. The right size is even more important in cat window beds, cat hammocks and hanging cat beds. The bed needs to be just the right size to make the cat feel comfortable yet not too claustrophobic.
The Right Material
There are many different materials that a cat bed can be made from. It is important to know that it is better for your cat’s health to find a model made from natural fibres. As we mentioned, cats spend a lot of their time sleeping so you need to find a material that is breathable and won’t harbour moisture or mould. It is also a good idea to find a bed that can be machine-washed so that you can keep it clean easier. Apart from the type of material that is used, you should also pay attention to the texture of the material. Is it smooth or is it fluffy? Cats love to have around something they can dig their nails in, so the more fabric the cat bed has – the more she’ll love it.
Is Buying a Heated Bed Necessary?
Cats are drawn towards the warmer parts of your home – they can be often seen basking in the sun. Some cat beds are designed to use cats’ own body heat to keep them warm. Cave-like beds are a great example, they insulate the cat from all sides and allow her to retain the heat of her own body. However, if you live in a particularly cold area, you should consider getting an electrically heated cat bed. Electrically heated cat beds are great for older cats and kittens with health problems such as arthritis.
Important Features
There are some cat beds that come with extra features both for fun and comfort. We all know that cats like to scratch furniture, so getting a cat bed with a scratch post might be a good idea. This way, your cat will be happier and you will avoid her damaging your furniture. A great idea for older cats is getting a bed with extra support. Older cats are less active than younger ones and they spend most of their time sleeping, so some extra supports on the bed is ideal for them. Of course, there are also some great features for kittens. Since kittens are very playful, getting them to sit in their bed and stop running around when it’s bedtime can be mission impossible. Luckily, today you can find beds that have toys dangling from above (much like in a baby crib) that can keep your kitten in bed until she tires out and falls asleep.
Introducing Your Cat to Her New Bed
We all know that cats are very picky and might just end up using the box that your bed came in, so it is very important to make sure you do everything you can so that your cat likes her new bed. Cats are naturally drawn towards the sunny parts of the house and like to lie there for hours, so that might be a good place to start. Cats also like to have a good vantage point, somewhere high up so they can keep an eye on everything that is going on around them. Corners are also a good spot as cats like to know that nothing can sneak up on them and they don’t need to turn their head to make sure of that.
