Here are the best cat beds to buy today for indoors and outdoors to sleep, play, and feel safe.
Cats love to sleep almost anywhere and can settle for a box or demand a particular chair or corner of the sofa. However, cats by nature are very possessive, and for this reason, a cat bed is an ideal place to offer your cat a space of its own in which to feel protected and warm.
A cat bed can also benefit those allergic to cats, as the cat will tend to stay in its bed and prevent the allergens that cause the allergy from spreading on all the furniture in the house.
Convincing a cat to stay in its bed is not an easy task, but the great variety of types and models of beds on the market allows you to make a more informed choice based on your cat’s character and preferences when choosing the best cat bed.
Shy and insecure cats may prefer a closed cat bed with a small entrance from which they can monitor what is happening outside, while more enterprising cats may instead prefer an open bed placed near a window, to be able to look out.
For cats with cold or arthritis problems, you can choose a suspended bed for a radiator that allows your four-legged friend a warm and comfortable area where they can hide in the winter months or on the coldest days.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Cat Bed: Types and Characteristics
The cat bed must meet the cat’s needs, be sure that the cat uses it, and those of the owner, to adapt to the home environment and be easy to clean.
Materials
The bed can be indoor or outdoor, depending on the use that will make. They will be made of different materials. The outdoor cat bed must be waterproof and resistant to atmospheric agents like rain and sun. It must always have a bottom insulating material to guarantee the cat’s ideal warmth to rest.
The indoor cat bed can be cotton, felt, foam rubber, wool, leather, latex, plastic, wicker, or polyester. The materials must be non-harmful and resistant because the cat could nibble on parts of the bed.
Although synthetic, polyester is a ubiquitous choice as it is soft and machine washable. Also, wash other materials in the washing machine, but it is recommended to check the wording on the product itself, as it depends a lot on the structure of each cat bed.
Some materials, such as wicker or rigid plastics, can easily wash cat baskets with a cloth. However, the bed’s padding is essential to ensure the cat’s well-being and is usually made of foam rubber and covered with cotton, felt, wool, leather, or polyester. If you have an elderly cat or joint problems, it is advisable to opt for a cat bed with viscoelastic foam padding.
Odors
The choice of material must be made carefully, as some cats may not like the smell of some materials, such as wicker, and may not approach the bed if the smell is too strong.
Even the plastic cat beds at the beginning may have a too strong smell for the cat, and it is recommended to air the bed a few days before presenting it to the cat to avoid the cat, annoyed by the smell, decides not to use it at all.
Similarly, a cat may not want to use a freshly washed bed because it does not detect any familiar odors; in this case, after washing the cat bed, it is advisable to put some toy or object in it with the smell of the cat on it.
Typology
There are many types of cat beds on the market, and depending on your cat’s character, you can choose the one that best suits your four-legged friend.
Outdoor beds
Cat beds for outdoor use can be wooden, with one or more floors and doors, and windows, and can be characterized by a design similar to a house, ideal for display in your garden.
In this case, it is important to verify that the entrances are protected with a plastic curtain to protect the interior. In addition, the bottom of the bed is made of insulating material to keep the interior warm and welcoming.
Indoor beds
Most indoor cat bed models come with a removable cushion, which can also use individually on the bed or sofa.
Open beds: Cat basket
The most common solution is the cat litter box, made of hard plastic, wicker, or fleece. This open cat bed favors airflow passage and is easier to clean than closed beds.
Open Beds: Cat bed
Some open cat beds are similar to baskets with raised edges, allowing the cat to rest his head and back comfortably. It can cover the side support in fleece, fabric, or plush.
On the other hand, other models reproduce the shape of a normal miniature bed, similar to dolls’ beds, equipped with a cat pillow. These models are ideal for setting up a small sleeping area in your room if the cat sleeps with the owner.
Open Beds: Suspended bed for window or wall
For cats who love heights and often climb on furniture searching for a place to sleep, opting for a suspended bed for a window or wall is recommended. These cat beds are similar to shelves and can be equipped with glass suction cups to fix the cat bed stably.
Open beds: Suspended bed for radiator
Cats who stay warm will greatly appreciate a suspended radiator cat bed. These models have an adjustable hooking system to fit most radiators.
In addition, they feature a coated frame that ensures maximum comfort and prevents the cat from accidentally getting burned by getting too close to the radiator.
The more expensive models have a molded lip frame to prevent the bed from unhooking during sleep. This bed type is also suitable for older cats and those with joint problems.
Open bed: Heated cat beds
As an alternative to suspended cat beds for radiators, opting for a heated bed with integrated radiators removed during the summer is possible.
Closed beds: Niche or igloo bed
Closed beds simulate a cave’s shape and are ideal for keeping the heat inside the cat bed itself. Most igloo beds feature a soft fabric structure with thick memory foam padding.
Timid cats prefer this type, as they feel more protected inside the niche but simultaneously can control what happens outside the cat bed. Some models also adapt to be placed inside furniture and shelves to integrate more with the rest.
Bed with a scratching post
Ideal for those who want to set up a corner of the house to dedicate to their cat, the bed with scratching post develops vertically and can have several closed cat beds, hammocks, raised and padded areas, as well as different scratching posts and games such as hanging balls or ropes, which they can entertain the cat without endangering the furniture of the house.
There are different cat bed models with scratching posts; depending on the space available in your home, a scratching post can develop vertically, presenting several floors with different areas and horizontally, with one or more columns or towers.
They are ideal for those with more than one cat at home and avoid having too many cat beds scattered around them.
Dimension
Cats love smaller, enclosed spaces but avoid buying a cat bed that is too small or too large. To get an idea of the ideal size, it is recommended to take your cat’s measurements, i.e., the length, measuring the cat from head to tail, and the height, measuring from the end of the back to the floor.
In the case of closed beds, it is good to remember that the inside of the bed must also have a pillow, which will affect the total space available to your four-legged friend.
In closed cat beds, even the entrance’s size is essential to understand if the cat can enter and exit without difficulty; some models have a relatively small round opening compared to the bed’s total size to increase the feeling of protection when the cat is inside.
In addition to the length, it is also good to check the cat’s weight to avoid the bed being resistant enough for your cat. Most cats, especially when it comes to kittens, will tend to use the cat bed for sleeping and playing.
Weight is significant in suspended cat beds. This is because the suspended bed must support the cat’s weight and not overturn if the cat moves. Most beds are well balanced, but it is always good to check the maximum weight supported by the cat beds to avoid unpleasant accidents.
Most of the one-size-fits-all beds are designed for medium-sized cats, so if you have a very long cat or a huge breed, it is good to evaluate the product’s characteristics about your pet’s size.
Other models of cat beds are designed to be used by cats and small dogs and can come in different sizes S, M, L, to allow you to choose the best beds based on your pet’s size.
Maintenance
Although cats are very clean, they can get dirty as they enter and leave litter boxes or after being outside, for example, in the garden or on the terrace. For this reason, keeping the cat beds clean is always good to make them always welcoming.
Better to focus on beds with removable and machine-washable cushions. To dry them, always check if they can be dried in the dryer; if not specified, it is recommended to let them dry naturally in the sun.
Color
The color of the cat bed also has its importance. For example, if your cat often sheds hair, choose a model of cat bed with a color similar to your cat. It will not be necessary to vacuum continuously because the hairs will be confused with the coating of the bed itself.
This does not mean you will not have to clean the cat bed, but you can do it less frequently because the hair will be less noticeable.
[divider style="solid" top="10" bottom="10"]Where to place the cat bed?
It is advisable to put the bed in secluded and quiet places, where the cat often passes, to help him become familiar with this new object. Choosing the best place to place the cat bed is good for evaluating where our cat loves to sleep, whether on the floor or top of some furniture.
The cat is naturally more active when the sun rises and night falls and tends to want to rest during the rest of the day.
This means that his routine will be different from that of his owner, and it may be useful not to place the cat bed in your bedroom if you want to avoid the cat can disturb his sleep at night by playing and running.
How to teach the cat to use the bed?
If the cat does not come near the bed, it can be for several reasons: it may not like the smell of the material it is made of, or it may be placed in an area it does not like.
You could then try to wash the cat bed and place it in an area of the house where the cat spends a lot of time, and try to insert some toys inside the cat bed, perhaps together with a blanket that smells of the cat, to make him perceive the bed like something familiar.
For example, if the cat is used to sleeping on the sofa, placing the cat’s bed on the opposite side, the cat will hardly consider sleeping there. So instead, it might be useful to place the bed near the sofa, or directly on it, to start getting it used to sleeping inside, and then try to move it to the foot of the sofa at a later time and see if the cat decides to follow the cat bed.
The best cat beds to buy
Below is a selection of the best cat beds in the different types and price ranges.
- SELF WARMING & SAFE DEFINED: NO PLUG or ELECTRICITY needed! The self heating technology...
- NOISELESS FOR ULTIMATE COMFORT: The self-warming mat is made from ultra-soft fluffy fabric...
- EASY TO CLEAN AND CARE: Designed with a removable zippered cover that is machine washable...
- Private & Cozy: The enclosed bottom area provides a hidden space for cats, small dogs, and...
- Spacious Comfort: The cat hideout's bottom compartment measures 16.5 x 16.5 x 13",...
- Pet Safe Design: Cat hideaway made from pet-friendly MDF materials with CARB Certification...
- Sturdy, Eco-conscious & Cat-friendly: The Peekaboo Cat Cave is made with durable,...
- Versatile & Roomy: The Peekaboo Cat Cave is perfect for larger cats up to 30lbs/29kg,...
- Interactive play: Enhance the bond between pets and owners with the small peephole window...
- Extra Soft: Indulge your pet in luxurious comfort with the plush sherpa surface, providing...
- Enhanced Comfort: The round bolster design promotes ultimate comfort and security,...
- Premium Filling: Featuring an ultra-soft polyester fiber filling, this dog bed offers...
- DESIGN FEATURES: Love's cabin cat and dog beds feature nest-like walls, round pet bed...
- DONUT CUDDLER SHAPE: The round dog bed allows pets to curl up while the raised rim creates...
- HIGH QUALITY FABRIC: Our product is OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified, ensuring a healthy...
- DESIGNED FOR PETS: A safe, electricity-free solution to keeping pets warm and toasty; the...
- SLEEP SURFACE: The sleep surface features cuddly soft quilted faux fur that is gentle on...
- PERFECT FOR TRAVEL: The thermal bed mat is lightweight and portable; it's perfect for...
- HEATED: Cat heated bed features soft walls for your cat's security and comfort and a 4...
- OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE: Electric cat bed is thermostatically controlled to warm the sleeping...
- WASHABLE: This heated cat bed is completely machine washable, simply remove the heater and...
- SELF-WARMING TECHNOLOGY: Unique self-warming plush material captures your pet's body heat...
- VERSATILE: Soft, plush reversible sides to match any décor; measures 17" x 21" that...
- SLEEP SURFACE: Soft microfleece top creates a warm, cozy and comfortable cat sleeping bed
- Design for Cozy Sleep: Rabbitgoo donut cat bed features round shape with raised rim which...
- Ultra Soft Cat Bed: This fluffy cat bed is made of polyester plush fabric, plump and...
- Ideal Cat Bed for Indoor Cats: This round pet bed features a rubber base which prevents...
- Calming & Comfortable: Our calming dog bed is 20% more plush than most competitors, making...
- Soothing Support: This donut dog bed is ideal for pets who love to curl up. The raised rim...
- Pet-Safe: This standard 100 by OEKO-TEX certified dog bed creates a safe and comfortable...
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.