10 Best Cat Beds in the UK in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Cats sleep an average of 16 hours per day, which means that they need a comfortable bed to sleep on, even if yours does choose to sleep on piles of clothes or in the sock drawer. However, cats can be a little high maintenance, which means that you have to find just the right bed for them to be content. Cat caves have become increasingly popular, while donut beds claim to offer comfort and protection. With so many styles of bed to choose from, the list can seem daunting at first.

However, we have reviewed the best cat beds in the UK to give you an idea of what is available and to help you find the best bed for your feline friend.

A Quick Comparison of Our Top Picks (2023)

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		BedSure Small Donut Cat Bed	Affordable Plush material is soft and comfortable Raised lip gives your cat somewhere to rest their head	Check Price
Best Value		FEANDREA Doughnut Cat Bed	Affordable Anti-slip base Firm sides	Check Price
Premium Choice		Everest Cat Cave	Made from merino wool Incredibly warm Looks good and comes in a variety of colors	Check Price
Best for Kittens		Bonlife Winter Felt Small Cat House	Lid can be removed and used as an additional cushion Felt is soft and inviting Enclosed design offers privacy	Check Price
		PawHut Elevated Wicker Cat Bed	Modern design Made from high-quality materials Elevated position	Check Price

The 10 Best Cat Beds in the UK

The BedSure Small Donut Cat Bed measures 50 cm x 50 cm x 16 cm, is made from a luxurious plush material and comes in a grey color. A larger bed is available and may be better for your cat if they enjoy spreading and stretching out while sleeping.

The donut design has raised sides, which not only provides your cat with somewhere to rest their head but can encircle your cat and give them the feeling of protection that they enjoy from confined spaces. The plush material is soft and comfortable, and the bed has a non-skid bottom so that it can be used on hard surfaces and carpet without slipping and sliding across the floor.

The bed is very competitively priced, but it does feel a little flat for a donut and would benefit from having more filling to create more stable and secure walls.

The FEANDREA Doughnut Cat Bed is also a doughnut style bed but its faux suede finish rather than a plush finish, meaning that it is quite different from the bed above. It is slightly taller, and this means that the lip sits slightly higher and offers even more support for your cat.

This style of bed will be preferred by cats that like to curl up while asleep rather than those that stretch out. The bed has an attractive design, and once you’ve removed the central cushion section, you can even put the rest of the bed in the washing machine to keep it clean and remove cat smells.

A non-slip base prevents the bed from sliding across laminate and other hard surfaces, and the low price makes it our choice as the best cat bed in the UK for the money.

While the sides of the bed will withstand the pressure applied by most sleeping cats, the base is somewhat thinner and could be uncomfortable if placed on a hard floor. Large cats might struggle to fit in the bed, but there is a larger one that should provide more than enough space even for giant breeds.

Cat caves have become very popular with cats and their owners. Felines love to climb inside confined spaces because it gives them a sense of security and safety. Because the Everest Cat Cave is made from 100% New Zealand merino wool, it retains warmth, too, so it provides a cozy and warm environment throughout the year.

The bed comes in a good variety of colors and designs. If you find that your cat isn’t keen on the cave, it can be flattened and used as a flat bed. The bed can be washed, although it needs to be hand washed using cold water. This is a premium cat bed and is the most expensive on the list, but that’s primarily because it is made from merino wool, which is an expensive material.

Unlike some cheaper cat caves, it retains its shape well. Despite being quite thin, it seems to offer a comfortable place for cats to sleep.

The Bonlife Winter Felt Small Cat House is a box-shaped cat house with a small opening at the front that lets your cat in. There is also a cushion on the top of the box that allows cats to laze around while still being able to eye up their entire domain. Alternatively, the lid can be removed and placed on the floor to provide a floor-level cushion that is especially suited to young kittens.

The box is made from felt, which is soft and inviting while also being good at retaining heat. The small box is a suitable size for cats weighing up to 8 kilograms. The box comes in a choice of three colors. While it is suitable for kittens, it will be too small for a lot of adult cats, especially because the walls and the construction do feel a little on the flimsy side.

The PawHut Elevated Wicker Cat Bed is a rattan house-style bed elevated a few centimeters off the floor. Some cats do prefer an elevated sleeping or lounging position because it makes them feel more secure and gives them additional privacy. It can also keep them away from cold hard floors.

The bed is made from a combination of pine, metal, and rattan, all of which are good quality materials, although if your cat enjoys scratching, you will need to ensure that they don’t scratch through the wicker housing.

A fluffy cushion is also included, which is warm and provides good comfort for your cat. The bed is expensive, but it’s a good size, and it is very functional while also looking cute.

The Pawhut Wicker Pet Bed is a wicker basket-style bed. It has an open top and sits on the floor or another flat surface and includes a plush cushion inside the bed that is warm and comfortable. The cushion can be removed and washed.

The bed is said to be suitable for pets weighing up to 20 kilograms, which means it should be big enough for most cats. Giant breeds may not fit, and because the wicker sides are hard, it can be uncomfortable for those cats that like to spread out. The wicker basket does look attractive, but it is quite expensive and only comes in one color.

Not all cats like to be enclosed or covered when they sleep, and if your cat is one of those that likes to spread out and enjoys being able to look around, then something like this Pet Bed Square Sofa is a good choice. It is rather large, which means that it is suitable for almost all cats, and it allows a cat to really stretch out and sprawl. There are walls around the bed, but these are short.

It is filled with polyester fibers and covered in a plush fabric that is warm and inviting, providing a great place to sleep or relax. The bed can be washed, but it does need handwashing as it can’t be safely put in the washing machine.

It would be more convenient if the bed could be put in the washing machine, and some may not like the reindeer design for year-round use.

The CatRomance Cat Bed for Indoor Cats is a basic cat bed design with slightly elevated walls and a cushioned center. It is filled with plump polycotton and covered in an oxford cloth. The manufacturer states that the whole bed can be put in the washing machine on a delicate cycle, so it is easy and convenient to clean. It has a non-slip bottom that stays in place even on hard surfaces like laminate or wood flooring.

The bed is a reasonable price and comes in a choice of two gray colors. However, it is somewhat thin, and, after removing it from the packaging, it is difficult to reshape the bed into a comfortable and good-looking shape.

The VERTAST Small Cosy Cat Igloo Bed is a cat cave-style bed, although it is shaped more like an igloo with quite a small fur rim. Inside the cave, there is a cushion for the floor that offers comfort and also provides warmth for your cat.

Reasonably priced for an igloo style bed, the Vertast is vacuum packed on delivery, so it can take some time for the bed to properly and fully unfurl. It is also a little flimsy and tends to run on the small side, so this particular bed is suitable for kittens and small cats instead of larger breeds.

Although it is described as a cat cave, the Cat Cave Bed is more of a box with an opening for your cat to get in and out of. It includes a velvet cushion that is designed to keep your cat warm during cold winter nights, and the bed is made from a firm foam that should spring back into shape after use. The house can be folded in three different ways so that it can be used as a house-style bed, folded down as a flat cushion, or folded in half so it is more like a sofa.

Despite being made from a foam material, the bed does not fully return to its original shape, which means that it can end up looking old after a few days of use. It’s also a very small bed, and larger cats will struggle to get inside, never mind the felines that like to stretch out when they are lazing around.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Cat Bed in the UK

Cats are prolific sleepers, typically snoozing for around 16 hours a day. Some will sleep just about anywhere, from your favourite furniture to piles of freshly cleaned clothes. However, giving your cat a bed to call its own not only provides it a comfortable spot to sleep but also gives it a spot to unwind in.

Types of Cat Bed

Each cat will have its own preferences. Thankfully there is a wide variety of cat bed types for you and your feline friend to choose from:

Caves And Igloos

If your cat is the type that likes to sleep in the middle of clothes piles or under the duvet, then a cat cave or cat igloo could be the ideal choice. These beds fully encircle the cat. They provide warmth, but they also offer security and privacy. They may have a cushioned base for extra comfort and can have a hard or a soft shell. Cat caves are meant to be quite snug, but you do need to make sure that you buy one that is appropriately sized for your cat.

Donut Beds

Donut beds are circular or oval in shape. They have a main cushion that sits on the floor and a raised lip that runs all the way around the outside of the bed. The lip helps provide the security that most cats enjoy but still offers an open top. These are often sold as comforting because the lip envelopes the cat. Donut beds can be made from soft plush or faux suede materials.

Wicker Beds

Wicker beds are like the cat baskets you used to see more often. They are made from some type of rattan or wicker and usually include a cushion. They may be raised off the floor or sit directly on the floor, and they can take on any of several shapes. Wicker beds can look attractive, although if your cat enjoys scratching at this type of material, it may be best to avoid one of these.

Cat Bed Size

Whatever the type of bed you choose, you do need to ensure it is a suitable size for your cat. Primarily, this means ensuring that it is large enough for your cat to lay comfortably in. While some cats prefer to curl up or sleep on their haunches, others do enjoy spreading out and adopting a stretched position when asleep.

How to Encourage Your Cat to Sleep in Their New Bed

It can be frustrating buying a new cat bed only for your cat to ignore it and continue sleeping on the foot of your bed. If you’ve invested in a new bed and want to encourage your cat to sleep in it, try the following steps:

Put it in a familiar location

If your cat spends a lot of time in one location, put their new bed there and wait a few days. Most cats will inquisitively check out a new bed or new item in their favorite spot and once they realize that it is comfortable and warm, they may well adopt it as a new snoozing spot.

Add something with your cat’s smell

Place your cat’s blanket on the bed so that they can start to identify it as their own. Even if you don’t recognize that the new bed has a different smell, your cat likely will.

Try putting the bed in a different position

If the bed is on the floor, try putting it up higher. Some cats prefer an elevated position because it allows them to survey their surroundings, and it feels safer and more secure. If the bed is already up high and your cat is ignoring it, move the bed onto the floor.

Use catnip to attract them

Catnip naturally attracts cats to a location because your cat will recognize the area as having given them their favorite stimulant. When they return, they will pick up the scent of catnip and may choose to lay there.

Don’t force them

If your cat does lay in their bed, don’t fuss over them too much. It can be tempting to congratulate them and love them but doing so may cause them to move, and they will associate the spot with disturbed sleep. If you ignore them, they will be more likely to return to enjoy a good quality nap.

Conclusion

Cats love to sleep. Although most cats will adopt comfortable locations as their favorite places to sleep, it can be beneficial to give them their own bed to sleep on. Choose a type of bed according to how your cat typically chooses to sleep, ensure it is an adequate size, and try to choose one that will look good in your cat’s favorite location.

While compiling our reviews, we found the BedSure Small Donut bed offered a comfortable and secure place to sleep and is very reasonably priced. If you’re looking to spend a little less, perhaps because your cat has shunned beds you’ve bought in the past, then the FEANDREA Doughnut Bed is warm, affordable, and a good option for those cats that like to sleep surrounded but with fresh air above their head. When all else fails, try out a few different beds to see which one your cat gravitates to.

Featured Image Credit: Eric Han, Unsplash