Best Cat Beds
Most cats tend to spend a lot of their day lounging and sleeping around the home. If your cat prefers to snuggle on the sofa, your favorite sweater, or the basket of freshly washed clothes, then it might be time to think about getting him one of these best cat beds. Most especially if you have multiple cats at home.
Let’s face it most cats get the run of the home and can choose to sleep wherever they please but choosing one of the top cat beds can offer your cat lots of benefits. The right bed can improve your cat’s wellbeing and comfort, and even help to decrease anxiety if your cat tends to get easily stressed. Plus, thinking about comfort is extra important for senior cats who might have arthritis or weaker muscles. How amazing would it feel to crawl into a heated cat bed to soothe those tired and sore joints and muscles?
To make your job of choosing the best cat bed easier we have compiled a list of the top cat bed choices on the market, which are suitable for cats as well as kittens, and will provide your cat with a snug and safe place to sleep.
Our Top Picks:
Best Friends by Sheri The Original Shag Donut Cuddler
Self warming cat bed with cozy luxury faux fur
Durable, water-resistant nylon bottom prevents liquids soaking through
Airloft fiber filling provides orthopedic support
Machine washable and dryer-safe
Available in two colors and four sizes
Aspen Pet Self-Warming Bolster Cat Bed
The stylish design uses faux lamb wool and corduroy
Self-heating: Uses a special interior layer to reflect your pet’s body heat
Lightweight and flexible
Raised sides perfect for head resting and stretching out
No electricity required
YML Pineapple Covered Cat Bed
Funky, cool and unique design
Enclosed bed provides your cat with privacy and security
Cozy, plush walls
Soft cushion pad included for extra comfort
Available in two sizes
Armarkat Cave Shape Covered Cat Bed
Made with luxe velvet fabric for extreme softness and comfort
Extra-thick cushion included
High quality, durable and stylish pet bed
Waterproof and anti-skid base
Machine washable for easy cleaning
Frisco Igloo Covered Cat Bed
Igloo shape is enclosed and covered for privacy
Soft, fluffy removable cushion included
Entire bed is machine washable
Bed is collapsible for easy storage in the home or on-the-go
Available in three stylish and modern prints
Fhasso Luxury Bamboo Cat Bed
- Modern and stylish design
- High-quality, sturdy and durable
- Smooth, wipe clean surfaces and machine washable cushion cover
- Made from organic bamboo
- Supports fair trade small craft businesses in Vietnam
Top 6 Cat Beds
While choosing our best cat beds we considered everything from value for money, comfort, durability, ease of cleaning, personal experience, and customer reviews. We wanted to produce fair and helpful reviews to help make your cat bed decision easier. Also if you have multiple cats, then you definitely will have different personalities to support with the best cat bed suited to each one.
Every cat and owner is different, that is why we have included a variety of the best cat bed options, ranging from styles that are enclosed, donut shaped, and even a luxury bamboo pod too. You don’t have to shell out the big bucks for materials like merino wool to get everything that you’re looking for in a luxurious feeling cat bed. Let’s take a look at our best cat bed picks in more detail…
Best Friends by Sheri The Original Shag Donut Cuddler
This luxurious faux fur cat bed is so soft and comfy that your cat is sure to love it, especially if they like to snuggle and curl-up. The donut shape has a central lower area with soft, raised sides that provide a protective atmosphere. It is filled with Airloft fibers that offer your cat better support than traditional fiber fillings. If you have a senior cat this bed will provide extra muscle and joint support, which can help with orthopedic conditions such as arthritis.
This pet self warming bed works by absorbing your cat’s body heat and reflecting it to keep your cat extra cozy. It also has a durable, water and dirt-resistant bottom which helps contain any accidents and prevent them from soaking through into your floor or carpet. Plus, we love that it is so easy to clean. You can throw this bed for cats into the washing machine and it is dryer-safe, making your life so much easier!
Key Benefits
Self warming cat bed with cozy luxury faux fur
Durable, water-resistant nylon bottom prevents liquids soaking through
Airloft fiber filling provides orthopedic support
Machine washable and dryer-safe
Available in two colors and four sizes
Aspen Pet Self-Warming Bolster Cat Bed
The Aspen Pet self-warming bolster bed is made with faux lamb’s wool interior and a stylish warm spice colored corduroy exterior. It has a polyester filling with a heat-reflecting layer that bounces heat back towards your pet, keeping your pet nice and cozy. This is a safe and easy way to keep your cat warm, without the need for electrical blankets or wires. The Aspen pet self warming feature is especially helpful for senior cats with joint or muscle issues, or if you live in a colder climate.
This bed is lightweight and flexible but the bolstered sides are firm enough for head resting and they also give your cat some privacy for burrowing. The whole bed is machine washable but should be air-dried and fluffed out instead of using the dryer. It comes in 4 different sizes, so you just need to choose which one is best for your cat.
Key Benefits
The stylish design uses faux lamb wool and corduroy
Self-heating: Uses a special interior layer to reflect your pet’s body heat
Lightweight and flexible
Raised sides perfect for head resting and stretching out
No electricity required
YML Pineapple Covered Cat Bed
The YML Pineapple Cat Bed is both funky and functional. If you want a cool, fun design piece instead of a traditional-looking cat bed then this bright, tropical yellow pineapple bed fits the bill. Cats like enclosed beds like this one because it gives them lots of privacy and a feeling of security while they snooze.
This covered cat bed has plush, cozy walls on the inside with a soft polyester covering. There is also a comfy cushion pad included which is easy to clean, just remove and wash when necessary. It is lightweight and flexible, which makes it simple to move around and store, but also means it can collapse. This fun bed for cats is available in two sizes and there are more funky designs available in the same range including a cute strawberry covered bed.
Key Benefits
Funky, cool and unique design
Enclosed bed provides your cat with privacy and security
Cozy, plush walls
Soft cushion pad included for extra comfort
Available in two sizes
Armarkat Cave Shape Covered Cat Bed
Forget the bat cave, it’s all about the cat cave. Does your cat like to sleep somewhere hidden, or snuggle into small spaces? If so, then the stylish Armakat Cave Shape Cat Bed is a perfect choice. The cave shape offers your cat lots of privacy to curl up and relax. We loved the soft luxe velvet fabric it was made from as it provides extreme softness and comfort, and we found that cats just love to rub up against it. Your cat may just fall in love.
Thankfully, this bed is machine washable so that means it is easy to clean and stress-free whenever you think it needs a quick wash. For extra comfort, there is an extra thick cushion included which can be easily removed from the cat cave which is helpful if it needs to be cleaned separately. Both the cushion and the cat cave bed are filled with 100% polyester to provide lots of support and help reduce heat loss, keeping your cat warm and cozy on those cold nights.
The base of the bed has a waterproof lining to protect your floor or carpet from cat-cidents, and make cleaning up easier. Plus, it has a durable anti-skid bottom, to make sure the bed doesn’t move around when your cat is getting in and out. It is available in three beautiful colors, so you can simply choose which one suits your cat’s personality best.
Key Benefits
Made with luxe velvet fabric for extreme softness and comfort
Extra-thick cushion included
High quality, durable and stylish pet bed
Waterproof and anti-skid base
Machine washable for easy cleaning
Frisco Igloo Covered Cat Bed
The Frisco Igloo Cat Bed is a covered and enclosed option, that provides your cat a sense of privacy and security. The inner walls are all completely padded to give your cat extra comfort and to help retain heat to keep your pet snuggly warm. This igloo is easy to enter and exit as it doesn’t require any jumping over high sides to get in and out. This is an important factor to consider if you have a kitten or a senior cat.
There is a removable cushion included which is fluffy and soft and provides the perfect place to indulge in a deep sleep or catch a quick nap. The entire pet bed is machine washable and can flatten completely for easy storage in the home or convenience of use when traveling with your cat. This cat bed is available in three trendy prints that are all effortlessly stylish to complement any style of home and individuality of each cat.
Key Benefits
Igloo shape is enclosed and covered for privacy
Soft, fluffy removable cushion included
Entire bed is machine washable
Bed is collapsible for easy storage in the home or on-the-go
Available in three stylish and modern prints
Fhasso Luxury Bamboo Cat Bed
This luxury cat bed could easily be mistaken for a decorative art piece in your home. It is modern, minimal, and stylish but thankfully the cat bed delivers on quality and functionality too.
The round shape makes this cat bed perfect for curling up in. Plus, the round shape combined with the smooth surfaces makes it so effortless to wipe clean. A plush, velvet cushion is also included which is removable and the machine washable cover zips off quickly for cleaning.
This cat cave basket is hand-made from organic and sustainable bamboo in Vietnam. You can feel good buying it as it contributes to fair-trade small business practices and helps support the local craft community. Overall we thought this eco-friendly basket was sturdy and durable, and one of the most attractive and unique cat beds on the market.
Key Benefits
- Modern and stylish design
- High-quality, sturdy and durable
- Smooth, wipe clean surfaces and machine washable cushion cover
- Made from organic bamboo
- Supports fair trade small craft businesses in Vietnam
Does Your Cat Need a Cat Bed?
According to the ASPCA cats should have a “clean, dry place in your home to sleep and rest”, and a cat bed is an easy way to accomplish this. So whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, your kitty needs a place to sleep.
Cats are resourceful creatures so if they don’t have their own bed they are likely to find somewhere else to sleep. However, this means your cat may choose undesirable places to sleep such as on a newly washed pile of clothes, the sofa, your bed, or on top of your favorite expensive sweater.
Many owners are happy to have their cats sleep on their bed or other home furnishings but many aren’t as enthusiastic about dealing with lots of hair, dirt, scratched material, and extra cleaning. Plus, cats have been known to sleep in potentially dangerous places such as inside the washing machine drum or near the engine in cars to keep warm. By giving your cat somewhere comfy to sleep and relax, like his own cat bed, you can reduce the chances of him seeking out these other less acceptable places and make sure your cat is safe and sound.
Honestly, we think your cat should have more than one bed to choose from. Cats like to have options on where they can chill out during the day or where they call a place to sleep during the night.
Several studies have shown that cats have a preference for hiding places and that hiding can help cats reduce their stress. One study showed that shelter cats who had a place to hide away showed significantly less stress than those who did not. Therefore, it’s a good idea to offer your cat a place to hide, such as an enclosed pet bed or den so he can get some privacy when he wants it. Offering your cat different types of cat beds throughout the home, is a simple way to help keep him happy, comfortable, and stress-free.
Different Types of Cat Beds
You might be surprised and slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number and types of cat beds on offer. They come in many different shapes, sizes, materials and price tags. We understand that it can be confusing trying to decide which one is best for your kitty.
Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of the most popular types of cat beds to help make your decision easier…
- Flat bed
These beds are like a large cushion or a thick, padded blanket. They can vary in firmness from very soft to quite dense depending on the style and may have a softer covering on top. They are usually lightweight and easy to move around if you want to change the location of the bed. They seem to be a more popular option for dogs, as cats tend to prefer an enclosed bed or one with sides that offers them more privacy.
- Basket
There are all sorts of baskets including the traditional wicker, cardboard, and plastic baskets. They are generally cheap but they all need to be lined with a soft blanket, cushion, towel, or cat bed. Wicker baskets are difficult to wash and some cats like to chew them, while cardboard is not very durable. Plastic baskets have the advantage that they are easily disinfected and cleaned, but they need a good quality blanket or cushion to layer on top to make them comfy.
- Bolster or Donut cat bed
A bolster cat bed is one that has raised supported sides, and they can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Donut beds are a type of bolster bed, since they are round with a sunken middle and slightly higher sides. These beds are made from a soft material and stuffed to make them comfy and cozy. The bolstered sides are designed to support your cat’s head or limbs when he stretches out, as well as offering some privacy if he prefers to snuggle down into the bed.
- Enclosed cat bed
Enclosed beds offer your cat a sense of security and privacy that is difficult to beat. There are lots of different types of enclosed beds and they might also be known as a cave, igloo, or pod. Most commonly they are made from a soft fabric with a stuffed lining for extra comfort, but then can also be made from bamboo or plastic with a padded interior. Some types of enclosed bed have a small entry hole or require your cat to jump in, others have a large opening and can be easily accessed.
- Heated cat bed
Generally speaking, a heated cat bed will fall into three main categories, those which are self-warming, those with a removable heat source and beds with an electrical heat source. Some of the heated cat bed options use an electrical heat source to keep your cat sung, but we don’t recommend them as we feel there is too much risk involved with over-heating or heat burns. On the other hand, self-warming cat beds usually capture and retain your cat’s own body heat to keep it cozy. These will make sure your cat is safe and are the best option if you live in a colder climate and want to keep your cat’s bed extra warm.
How to Choose the Best Cat Bed for Your Cat?
Unfortunately, there is no universal cat bed that will suit all cats and all owners. You need to think about what your cat likes, and what is important to you as an owner. Is it important that the bed is machine washable? Would you prefer a traditional or modern style bed?
Look at where your cat likes to sleep now, does he prefer soft or firm surfaces? Does he like to be out in the open or does he prefer to hide away in an enclosed space?
Some of the most important things to consider when searching for a new cat bed include comfort, quality, size, and ease of cleaning. However, you might also need to think about your cat’s personality, age, and any underlying health issues.
For example, anxious cats tend to prefer a completely covered sleeping area, while older cats and kittens will benefit from a bed that is easy to get in and out of.
Important Features to Consider
- Size
Ideally, the best bed should be large enough for your cat to be able to turn around in comfortably but still snug enough to make your cat feel secure. Most cats tend to prefer enclosed spaces so make sure you don’t go too big.
If you have a large cat then you might need to check the dimensions and choose a larger size. Remember that kittens grow fast so there is really no point in getting an extra small bed for them because soon enough they will be a cat-eenager and have quickly outgrown it.
- Comfort
This is probably the most important factor for your cat when choosing the best bed. If it isn’t comfy then your cat isn’t going to use it and you will have just wasted your money. Beds with rough surfaces or sharp, hard edges aren’t going to be a very comfortable option and will likely just collect dust in your home.
Most cats like soft fabrics such as cotton, fleece, faux fur, or velvet. Consider the weight of your cat, the cat bed should also have a good amount of filling to make it comfortable and supportive to sleep on.
- Warmth
Everyone knows that you sleep better if you are warm and cozy and the same goes for our pets too. The warmth that your cat needs from his bed depends on how cold the climate is where you live and what degree you prefer to keep your thermostat set to in your home.
Enclosed beds hold in heat much better than open beds, and a good layer of filling and warm, soft materials can help too. Self-warming beds are the best option if you want to safely keep your cat’s bed toasty and warm without the need for electricity.
- Age and health status
You might need to consider your cat’s age and health status when choosing the best cat bed. A senior cat with arthritis or a young kitten will both struggle to climb into a bed with high sides or if the way to enter is at the top.
Older cats or those with joint issues may also benefit from a self-heating bed during the colder months of the year. Plus, there are lots of orthopedic beds that can offer senior cats extra support for their weaker bones, joints, and muscles.
- Cleaning
Cat beds should be cleaned regularly to remove any build-up of dirt, hair, or dust. Choosing a machine washable pet bed makes the cleaning process so much easier. To make life even more efficient, some cat beds are even suitable for the dryer too. However, it is important to check the washing and drying instructions as they will vary depending on the fabric and type of filling of the bed.
- Quality
A great quality cat bed can last the whole lifetime of your cat if it is properly cared for. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in high-quality pet products instead of cheap beds which may quickly become worn or torn. Use trusted sources of information like catstuffplus.com, stick to well-known or premium brands, and check customer reviews regarding the durability and quality of pet products you are looking to purchase.
- Safety
We know that you want the best for your kitty and that their safety is paramount. Your cat’s bed should be made with cat-safe fabric and filling, with no toxic paint. Some curious kittens may decide to chew (and sometimes eat!) their cat beds when settling into their new home. That’s why it is important to choose a reputable pet brand with a proven safety and quality record.
Are Heated Cat Beds Safe?
There are many different types of heated cat beds available including electrically heated beds, self-warming beds, and small microwavable heat pads.
We like to air on the side of caution with heated electrical cat beds, as there is a possibility that they can quickly overheat or even cause thermal burns. Plus there is also the risk of a cat chewing through an electrical wire if it is near the pet bed.
We know that these risks are minimal but we think there are other safer options available which work just as well. We believe that a self-warming bed is the best option that uses a special insulated filling to retain your cat’s own body heat and keep the bed cozy. Another option is microwaveable heat pads which can be conveniently heated up in your microwave, and placed into your cat’s bed. These heat pads usually have a removable cover made from a soft material such as fleece.
If you are still keen to use an electrically heated bed then be sure to choose a reputable brand that produces heated beds specially designed for cats. It is also a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before-hand to check if it is ok to use one for your kitty.
Getting Your Cat Used To Their New Bed
Some cats will jump right into a new bed, while other cats might take a few days before they will even try it out. Generally speaking, most cats are naturally wary and careful about new things. So, if you get a new bed for your cat and he won’t use it, don’t be offended!
Here are a few tips to help your cat settle into his new bed:
1. Place the new cat bed in a place where you know your cat feels comfortable. You could place it right beside the old bed for a while or somewhere you know that your cat likes to relax.
2. Leave your kitty to explore the new cat bed at his own pace. This might take a few days, and it is best not to rush or force him into it.
3. You can place some toys or his favorite treat in the new bed to tempt him to get in on his own.
4. Place one of his blankets in the new bed to make it smell more familiar and safe.
5. If your cat likes catnip you could try sprinkling a little on his new bed, this will make him more interested in that area.
Where Should You Put the Cat Bed?
Cats like to sleep somewhere where they feel safe and secure. Ideally, this would be a quiet area of the home where there is not a lot of noise and people or other pets are not constantly passing through.
If you watch your cat you will get a good idea of where he likes to rest and sleep. It is best to place the new cat bed in an area where he feels comfortable and likes to spend time.
Giving your cat different options on where he can chill out and relax, and even hide if wants to, can make your cat feel less anxious. Ideally, your cat would have more than one cat bed to choose from in the home, but that is really up to you!
Final Thoughts
Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, most cats live a life of luxury and sleep around 16 hours per day. With so much time spent sleeping it makes sense to invest in a good quality cat bed for your kitty. The majority of cats seem to prefer an enclosed bed as it provides them with more privacy and security.
Apart from better comfort and a good night’s sleep, the right bed can also improve your cat’s wellbeing and help decrease anxiety if your cat tends to get easily stressed. Just remember to place the bed somewhere quiet in your home and give your cat lots of time to get used to his new sleeping quarters. Who knows, maybe your outdoor cat will choose to spend more time indoors chilling in their new comfy cat bed and you’ll have the best cat napper in the neighborhood.
Hopefully, our best cat bed choices and tips on how to choose the perfect bed for your cat have been useful for you and your kitty. Good luck with choosing your cat’s new bed and let them live their best life!
