Cats spend most of their day sleeping, leaving their hair behind wherever they snooze. If you’re ready to reclaim your furniture, one strategy is to provide your cat with its own bed. However, unless you put it in just the right spot, there’s a decent chance your cat will ignore the bed. In this article, we’ll tell you about five ideal locations to put a cat bed, along with some tips for choosing a bed and how to keep the peace when buying beds for a multi-cat household.
The 5 Ideal Locations to Put a Cat Bed
1. Somewhere Warm
| Possible locations: | near a window or door, appliance, heating vent |
| Types of beds to consider: | window perch, round bed |
Research has shown that cats prefer the household temperature to be warmer than humans tend to enjoy. Because of this, cats often pick the warmest or sunniest spot they can find to nap. Take advantage of this by placing a cat bed near a sunny window or glass door. Another good option is placing a bed near a heating vent or radiator, but not close enough that the kitty could get burned by accident. Some cats even like sleeping on top of the clothes dryer!
2. Somewhere Elevated
| Possible locations: | furniture, shelf, bed |
| Types of beds to consider: | round bed, sleeping mat |
If you observe your cat choosing a nap spot, there’s a good chance they’ll select somewhere off the floor. Cats like to be high enough to keep an eye on what’s happening around them and feel safer at higher locations. Placing a cat bed somewhere elevated increases the chances your cat will use it. Potential locations include counters, tables, couches, or human beds. You could also choose a wide shelf or windowsill if they are sturdy enough.
3. Somewhere Quiet
| Possible locations: | closet, spare bedroom |
| Types of beds to consider: | cat cave, round bed, sleeping pad |
Because of how the cat’s sleep cycle works, they spend most of their snoozing time in a light doze or “cat nap.” In the wild, this allows them to remain partly aware of their surroundings as a safety feature. Due to this, cats often prefer to sleep in quiet parts of the house, especially those that live with a busy, noisy human family. Try placing a cat bed in a spare bedroom, storage space, or closet.
4. On Cat Furniture
| Possible locations: | cat tree, cat shelf |
| Types of beds to consider: | sleeping pad, round bed |
Many cat towers and trees already contain sleeping spaces and perches. You can encourage your cat to take advantage of the spots by placing a comfy cat bed on them. Situating your cat furniture near a window makes it even more enticing for your kitty. Cat furniture helps your cat safely engage in instinctive activities like scratching and climbing but also serves as an ideal location to place a cat bed.
5. Near Your Favorite Spot
| Possible locations: | couch, home office |
| Types of beds to consider: | cat cave, round bed, cat condo |
Despite their reputation for independence, most cats are very attached to their owners and enjoy spending time with them. If your cat is one of those, the best place for their cat bed may be close to wherever you spend the most time. For example, put a cat bed near your workspace if you work from home. If you spend your free time relaxing on the couch, position your cat’s bed nearby.
Choosing a Cat Bed
Besides choosing the right location for your cat bed, you’ll also need to decide what type of bed to purchase. Location will play a role in your decision since some beds may be too big to fit every spot.
You should also consider your cat’s sleeping style. Do they prefer to curl up in a ball or spread out in all directions? Do they like to burrow under blankets or stay exposed?
Practically speaking, consider whether you need a bed that’s easily cleaned. Kittens can be messy, while older cats may begin to lose control of their bladder and leak urine when they sleep. For some beds, only the cover is washable, which is not helpful if pee or poop soaks in completely.
Avoiding Bed Drama in Multi-Cat Households
Keeping the peace can sometimes be tricky if you share your home with more than one cat. Cats are territorial by nature and don’t always share space or possessions with ease. This can result in unpleasant side effects like inappropriate urination, fights, or anxiety-related behaviors like over-grooming.
When placing cat beds, avoid drama by ensuring enough for each cat to claim one as their own. If multiple cats enjoy sleeping in the same location, consider putting several beds there. Having beds on multiple levels is another helpful strategy to keep everyone happy.
Conclusion
Some cats will choose the oddest spots for their daily naps, whether you approve of them or not! Finding the right location for a cat bed may take some experimentation, especially if your kitty is older and set in its ways. Don’t be afraid to try different spots and consider using catnip or pheromone sprays to make the cat bed more attractive to your feline friend.
Featured Image Credit: Aleksandar Cvetanovic, Unsplash
