Want to pick out the best bed for your cat? It’s all about figuring out your cat’s personal preferences and sleep habits.
If you have a cat, we don’t need to tell you felines like to sleep. A lot. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average cat spends 15 hours a day in dreamland, with some snoozing for up to 20 hours. So it makes sense that providing a cozy place for your cat to curl up for a nap would be a priority.
But does your cat need a bed of its own? And if so, which cat bed is best? It all depends on the individual cat.
Where Should I Put a Cat Bed?
This part is extremely important, but not necessarily complicated. All you really need to do is put the bed wherever your cat likes to hang out. For some cats, this will be the couch, so they can sit next to you during your weekend Netflix marathon. It could also be near a big window or in your bedroom. Like the bed itself, it really just depends on the cat’s preferences.
How Often Should I Clean or Replace a Cat Bed?
Fortunately, cat beds are fairly low maintenance. While beds should be washed if they become soiled, weekly cleaning is not required or even recommended. Cats like familiar-smelling things and will be more drawn to a bed once their scent is on it.
Instead, use a lint roller or vacuum to remove excess fur and toss the bed/bedding in the washing machine every month or so. Even better, she says, keep more than one bed in the home so you can alternate when you wash each one. That allows the cat to always have its scent on one bed.
Types of Cat Beds
Once you narrow your cat’s sleep-related preferences, you should familiarize yourself with the various types of cat beds out there. Some are basic, providing nothing more than a plush place to crash.
Other considerations include fabric (microfiber or velour are popular choices), size and ease of cleaning. And while most cat-specific beds are perfectly safe, we recommend avoiding beds featuring loose, fringed materials or decorative elements that cats could accidentally ingest, due to the risk of strangulation and/or intestinal blockages.
