As the cat lovers we are, we know that cats love to sleep. Cats sleep up to 18 hours each day, and can find a place to sleep in almost any room. Some cats every enjoy curling up in a bathroom sink.
Our family felines often sleep on our furniture and on or in our beds and leave behind the tale tell sign - cat hair. How often have we said, as we are trying to remove the cat hair from our furniture, "If only we had a cat bed that she would want to sleep in!"? The good news is, there are many cat beds to choose from that will be just what you and your kitty are looking for.
You need to take the time to evaluate your cat's sleeping habits. Does she like to curl up or stretch out? Does she like to look outside? Does she like to cuddle up under blankets, clothing or inside a box or sack? Does she have arthritis and needs more support? Is she an outside cat only? Fortunately, there are cat beds to meet her needs and desires.
Cats often like to sleep curled up and they can find comfort in round beds. These beds have different size heights of walls around the bed ranging from approximately 2" to 4", and some have a tapered front for easier access. They are usually 16"-18" in diameter. They can snuggle down inside and sleep for hours. This style of cat bed is made from polyester foam and it will have a removable cover for washing. Some circular beds also have hoods for more snuggle time.
If your cat likes to prop her head up while sleeping, the beds with sides or bolsters could be the right bed for her. These beds have many designs anywhere from looking like a sofa, to just a cat bed with a 3-sided bolster.
For cats who like to stretch out, a nice rectangular pillow or platform style bed would be the perfect bed for her. They come in various sizes and fabrics. These beds can be fluffy fiber fill like a pillow, or orthopedic foam. Some styles can be thrown directly into the washer, and some have removable covers that can be washed.
Some indoor cats love to look outside and/or sit in the sun as the sun comes through the window. For these little darling kitties, there are beds that attach to your window sill to give your kitty a viewing perch and sun. These window sill beds come in several designs; just a platform, platform with bolsters, platforms with hoods, and/or heating elements. I know one cat that has a window sill bed, and this is his favorite place to be.
If your cat just wants to be near you and on your furniture or bed, a throw might be the right choice. These throws are great furniture covers and help eliminate the cat hair from the furniture. Also many cats love to curl up in a blanket, under clothing, or just wrap themselves in a throw. Some throws also have heating elements to keep your little feline nice and cozy and comfy.
Some cat beds are designed to look like pieces of furniture like a sofa or chair. Some are elevated on short legs like a glamorous cot. You have to decide how you want the cat bed to fit in with your dcor.
If your cat is strictly an outdoor cat or likes to sleep in the garage, or you are kind enough to want to provide warmth for a couple of feral cats, you can make an easy, inexpensive bed. I bought large clear plastic storage containers, removed the lids, and turned the container on its side. I then put down old towels and blankets inside the bin to provide comfort. If you don't have any old blankets, I purchased a very inexpensive fleece blanket, cut in into thirds, folded the blanket and placed that on the old towels. The cats have enjoyed this comfort for several years. In a larger container, after I laid it on its side, I put a sweater container in it and put the bedding in the sweater container. This container has short sides and easy for the kitty to step into. She can also snuggle down inside the short container and be more protected from the wind. I put the containers in a place that will block them from the wind and rain, as much as possible. I have a change of bedding that I use to so I can be washing one set, and they still have a place to sleep.
There are also cat beds designed especially for the outdoors and they are heated. You would want to place these in an area to keep them away from the weather elements also.
As I have mentioned, several cat beds have heating elements to keep them warm. You can also purchase separate heating elements and place them under the bedding so your kitty in not sleeping directly on the unit. Of course, any of these units can be turned off during the warm months.
Cat lovers know the independence of our lovable felines. They do have a mind of their own, and they decide what they like. It is not easy to train a cat. Try to provide a place where they are comfortable, and that will probably be somewhere near where you spend your time. A cat bed can create a place of comfort, security and safety. Some beds have a pocket in which you can place catnip to encourage her to sleep in the bed.
A good quality cat bed can last for years. Also check out some small dog beds because they can be just the right size for your cat. Whatever design you choose, make sure that the surface can be cleaned easily. Cleaning them often will rid the fabric of bacteria, body odor, and maybe even flea larvae.
Your cat will love you for their new bed. Putting the bed in the room where they can be near you is what they really want. Enjoy your happy, contented cat.
Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian nor do I have any formal training in any medical field. This article is not to replace the advice of your veterinarian. I am only providing options and ideas that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian.
