The best cat bed for older cats is one that keeps them warm and cozy during the night, provides comfort for their aching joints and bones, and should be spacious so that they will not feel cramped and uncomfortable.
Here are out three top choices:
What to look for when buying a cat bed for your senior cat?
These are the things to look for when shopping for the best cat bed for older cats:
The right size
When buying a cat bed for your older cat always see to it that it is spacious enough for her. Do not just buy any random cat bed that catches your fancy but see to it that you have the right size by measuring your cat’s size through her body length and width.
Easy to clean
Another factor to consider when buying the best cat bed for your elderly pet is the ease of cleaning. Older cats tend to move slower and may not be able to reach the litter box in time if they have to pee or defecate. As a result, they may end up messing their cat bed which makes it uncomfortable for them. Thus, you should look for a cat bed that’s easy to clean and has removable covers to ensure that proper hygiene practice is maintained.
Cozy and comfortable
An elderly cat’s bed should be cozy and comfortable because, at her age, your cat may already have achy bones and joints. It will also relieve the pain and allows your pet cat to have a good night’s sleep.
Has functional features
The best cat bed for older cats has thick and comfy padding or memory foam. This is a great help especially if your cat is arthritic. It should also be a heated cat bed so that your pet cat will be warm and comfortable especially during chilly winter nights.
Matches with your preferences and home decor
While it is beneficial that your cat’s special needs are addressed with the help of a comfy and spacious cat bed, you should also make sure that it matches the overall decor of your home by choosing the appropriate color according to your tastes.
Recommended cat beds for older cats
Here’s a list of recommended cat beds for your elderly cat:
1. Hachikitty Washable Cat Warming Bed
What we love about the product:
The cat bed is made with durable brown oxford fabric and luxurious faux fur. It’s water-resistant and has a raised side design for head and neck support. The bottom surface is made with durable polyester with rubber patch fitting to prevent slipping and sliding while on the floor. It’s 100% machine-washable and easy to clean. Most of all, it’s budget-friendly, the materials are hypoallergenic and available in an array of colors.
What we dislike about the product:
Its plastic zipper is prone to splitting, the fabric used is not of topmost quality, and the stuffing is uneven and bulgy.
2. Bedsure Orthopedic bed for Cats and Dogs
What we love about the product:
This cat bed for older cats features soft microfiber lining and a layer of metalized insulation that diffuses warmth generated by your pet cat. It’s a great bed especially if you live in a country with a cold climate. It has a rounded shape that allows enough room for your cat to curl up on. It easily fits in any room corner. It has a non-skid backing to keep it stable on the floor or inside the crate. It’s also tailored for arthritic cats because the interior’s padding provides comfort and removes pressure points. Most of all, it’s detachable, reversible with waterproofing on one side to make it more durable.
What we dislike about the product:
It’s quite pricey because of its multiple features.
3. Love’s Cabin Round Donut Cat Cushion Bed
What we love about the product:
This spacious round-shaped cat bed features a nest-like wall stuffed with high-loft down which makes it ultra-comfy for your elderly cat. Its raised rim allows extra head and neck support and made with high-quality fabrics. It’s 100% machine washable and easy to maintain plus it’s budget-friendly, too. If you’re going on a road trip along with your pets you can bring this along because it’s lightweight and easy to carry.
What we dislike about the product:
The cleaning instructions are quite vague and it tends to absorb odors.
4. AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bolster Bed
What we love about the product:
This cat bed features a soft faux sherpa cover that’s ultra-comfy and made with plush stuffed foam and polyester cushion. It easily fits in a crate, carrier, and other sleeping nooks. It has a head-on rest in its bolster rim which makes it ideal for older cats with arthritis as the support offers pain relief. Its attached loop allows it to be easily secured in a cat crate and easy to transport if you’re going on trips with your family and pets.
What we don’t like about the product:
This cat bed is not machine-washable and not recommended if you have a shedding cat.
5. Best Friends by Sheri Cuddle Cup
What we love about the product:
This is a well-recommended orthopedic cat bed for older cats with joint problems. It features a soft and comfy interior design and promotes good sleep while preventing bedsores. It also has supportive features to relieve aching joints and muscles. This best cat bed for older cats is lightweight, has self-warming faux fur materials, and easy to maintain as it’s machine-washable and also dryer-safe. Most importantly, it only uses pet-safe materials like Micro plush fabric and a durable nylon bottom.
What we don’t like about the product:
This product is quite expensive, the interior is not well-padded and the bottom tends to be unstable.
6. Kittycentric Cozy Cat Cave Bed
What we love about the product:
This innovative cat bed features hypoallergenic and antibacterial materials making this the ultimate cat bed for senior cats with allergies, skin problems, and cleanliness issues. It’s made with New Zealand Merino wool which is cozy and comfortable, is hand-washable, and needs little water to clean. The cave bed has ample space, can accommodate more than one cat, and allows for enough room to cuddle and snuggle. Most of all, it can be flattened into a round mat which also makes it ideal if you’re traveling with your cats.
What we don’t like about the product:
It is quite pricey, it’s cumbersome to flip it over, and some cats don’t like the cave-like design.
7. SEN-KEY Self Warming Sleeping Bed for Cats
What we love about the product:
This cat bed is made with materials that are lightweight and non-toxic. It also provides therapeutic comfort for elderly cats with joint pain. This sleeping bed for senior cats has a triangular design, is machine-washable, easy to clean, and easy to bring along during vacations.
What we don’t like about the product:
It is quite expensive and not ideal for senior cats that belong to a large breed.
Best orthopedic pet beds for arthritic cats
While we have earlier shared above our recommended cat beds for older cats, here are other cat bed options made especially for arthritic cats:
Frisco Orthopedic Sherpa Cuddler and Cushion Dog and Cat Bed
This cat bed allows for easy entry with a height that’s just right. It provides orthopedic support due to its foam base.
K&H Pet Products Deluxe Ortho Bolster Sleeper Pet Bed
This cat bed has a sleeping surface that has 3 inches of medical-grade orthopedic foam and is ideal for elderly cats with joint and hip problems. It has removable covers and liners, machine-washable, and easy to maintain.
FurHaven Plush & Suede Orthopedic Sofa Dog & Cat Bed
This durable cat bed features a base with medical-grade orthopedic foam along with egg crate foam for good airflow. It is water-resistant and has a gentle cradling action that promotes joint pain relief.
FurHaven Microvelvet Snuggery Orthopedic Dog & Cat Bed
This cat bed features solid orthopedic foam mattress to promote good posture and joint pain relief. It has a soft and shapeable blanket with a hooded covering to allow your senior cat to have a private den of her own.
K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Cat Bed
This orthopedic cat bed features a dual-thermostat and a removable low-wattage heating pad. It also has a removable ultra-soft cover and it’s easy to wash and clean.
How to get your elderly cat to get used to her new cat bed?
Letting your senior cat get used to her special cat bed can take a while but this is to be expected. You need to be patient with your pet cat and make sure not to force her to use the cat bed immediately.
Here are some tips on how to encourage your cat to get used to her cat bed:
Give her treats and praise.
If your senior cat will not come near her cat bed, try to entice her with cat treats by placing it on the bed. Usually, your cat will come near and retrieve the treats. Praise her for going near the bed and repeat this process until she will learn to stay and lay down on the bed. This may take a few days but eventually, your cat will associate staying in the bed with a positive experience, that is, getting treats, and will get used to staying in the bed.
Place the cat bed in an appropriate place or corner.
Make sure to place your cat’s bed in a corner or spot in your home where she most frequently stays or goes to. Most importantly, it should be a quiet and secluded area with no foot traffic so she’s not easily disturbed if she’s napping or sleeping.
Put her favorite blanket or toys to make the cat bed comfier and more inviting.
Any cat would willingly go or stay in a place filled with familiar scents so make sure that you place her favorite blanket or even toys in the new cat bed. Once she detects the familiar scents and things she’ll most often feel comfortable easily.
Always keep the cat bed clean and odor-free
Cats are very particular with scents and odors so always see to it that the cat bed is kept odor-free and clean. If your senior cat detects strange smells or stains in the bed she may not get used to her cat bed and may even stop sleeping on it so always ensure that it’s clean.
Why you need a cat bed for older cats?
You need a good cat bed for your elderly feline pet so she’ll be comfortable, warm, and undisturbed. Elderly cats tend to have health issues including:
- arthritis
- kidney failure
- high blood pressure
- hyperthyroidism
- diabetes mellitus
- dental disease
- digestive disorders
- heart disease
- cancer
Because of these health challenges, you have to make sure that your cat is regularly checked by the veterinarian and to keep a close watch on her nutritional needs. Also, your elderly cat should be kept mentally and physically healthy. Making sure that her grooming and hygiene practices are maintained is also essential. Most of all, see to it that she has a warm and comfortable cat bed in a quiet area of your home that’s free of distractions and noises.
Conclusion
If you’re a pet parent of an elderly cat then you need to be extra patient and give her extra TLC or tender loving care. Your aging cat already has special needs and may already be manifesting health problems like arthritis. The best cat bed for older cats provides warmth, comfort, and relief from achy joints and muscles. Take your pick from the list we have provided above which should hopefully help you decide on the perfect cat bed for your furry friend.