If you’re looking for the best cat bed to give your feline companion (or yourself) some space, we’ve chosen the top five to make our list. Plus, we’ve even got some fun and fascinating facts about the different types of cat beds (there’s a lot) and some suggestions on how to create a cozy spot your cat will love to snooze in.
Interestingly enough, a recent online survey revealed some telling facts about where our beloved felines curl up. In fact, it stated that 96% percent of pet parents allow Kitty to sleep in the bedroom. Out of that number, 50% are allowed to sleep on the bed, while 38% are actually allowed on the same pillow as their human companion.
So where does your cat sleep? Has she nestled all snug as a bug in your bed or does she seek out a comfy spot she can call her own?
Quick Comparison: Best Cat Beds
| Cat Carrier | Rating |
|---|---|
| Yicat Cat Bed, Pillow, and Quilt |  |
| Kitty Ball Rattan Bed |  |
| Kivikis Cat Bed | |
| Aspen Pet Round Bed | |
| K&H Manufacturing EZ Mount Window Bed | |
We will review these products and their rating scores (out of 5) in more detail at the end of this article.
Does Your Cat Need a Cat Bed?
You may be asking yourself; does my cat need a bed? The answer is, yes. Cats should have a quiet place where they feel safe to relax and unwind in. Plus, if you are tired of your cat hogging your bed or pillow, providing him with his very own spot may be just the answer you are seeking. However, not all beds are created equally, so you may have to do some trial-and-error before you find one that your cat loves. Luckily, there are plenty of styles for you to choose from. Check them out…
Types of Cat Beds
There are eight basic types of cat beds. These include mats, igloos/enclosed, heat/self-heated, wicker, luxury beds, nesting, pillow, and hammock. These all come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore your options.
1. Cat Mats
This type of cat bed is flat and can be made from a variety of materials. They are usually washable and can be placed with ease in any spot your cat loves to lounge in. The mat-style cat bed is also perfect for placing in travel kennels for added comfort.
2. Cat Igloos/Enclosed Beds
The igloo or enclosed cat bed is a cozy little spot where your feline friend can cuddle up and stay warm and private. This style of bed can be made from a variety of fabrics, but usually, a soft plush is preferred. The only drawback from the igloo-style beds is they are most often designed for a single feline.
3. Heat/Self-heated Cat Beds
The heated cat bed uses a microwavable pouch that heats up and can be slipped into a specially designed unit or under a cushion or blanket. This is perfect for outdoor use, colder homes or for senior cats. The self-heated cat bed is usually a mat-style and uses the cat’s own body heat to reflect back the warmth.
4. Wicker Baskets
Wicker cat beds have been around for decades in the form of a basket with a soft cushion placed inside for comfort. These styles of beds may look nice, but they are difficult to clean and can pose a choking hazard if your cat chews off a piece and swallows it.
5. Luxury Cat Beds
The luxury cat bed can come in many different styles, but they do go above and beyond what you may think a cat bed would entail. These designs can be made to look like human beds with a number of fancy add-ons to enhance the overall style. The trouble with this type of cat bed is they tend to be pricey and some take up a lot of room.
6. Nesting Cat Beds
The nesting bed can be any shape but is traditionally round with high padded walls and a soft (oftentimes removable) pillow for added comfort. These can be made from a number of different fabrics and provide a comfy place for one or two kitties to cuddle up in.
7. Pillow Cat Beds
Like the mat-style cat bed, the pillow is flat with added padding for superior comfort. The great thing about the pillow bed is it is easily placed in any location and are can be machine washable for convenience.
8. Hammock/Shelf Cat Beds
Hammock beds can be placed between the legs of a coffee table or other suitable objects. These are made from a pliable material, yet should be durable enough to take your cat jumping in and out of it.
The shelf bed usually affixes to a window ledge with brackets or suction cups with a padded surface for a comfy resting area.
How to Choose the Best Cat Bed
When choosing the right cat bed, take your feline’s resting habits into consideration. This would include where your cat tends to gravitate to for her sleep and nap times and what type of surface she enjoys. The size should also be big enough for your feline friend to stand up and turn around in comfortably, but not so large that she feels exposed. – cat’s like to cuddle in.
Another consideration would be how much space do you have to accommodate the cat’s bed. If you are in a small apartment, then one of those huge luxury cat beds may not be suitable, but a window ledge bed can serve as both a sleeping spot and a “post” where your kitty can survey the home and outdoors from. The needs for an elderly cat can be a bit different from an younger cat, so we also have a separate article on the best cat bed for older cats.
When placing your cat’s bed it’s helpful to choose a spot that doesn’t have high traffic. Your cat will want to rest peacefully and can’t do so if her bed is in front of a door or in the kid’s playroom.
Creating a Fun Place to Sleep
Cats are creatures with their own mindset, so regardless of how much time, thought, energy and cash you’ve put into the perfect cat bed, your kitty may still not want to use it. However, there are some tips you can use to help your cat become interested in her new sleeping spot.
Step #1 – Location
To help your cat become accustomed to her new bed, observe where she tends to sleep. If this is in a sunny patch, place her new bed in or near this area. Chances are if you’ve chosen the right style of bed, she will be eager to try it out.
Step #2 – Catnip Bait
Catnip can be a great motivator when it comes to helping your cat try out a new object. Use either a spray or dried to bait your cat into coming over to investigate the new bed. This may be all it takes for her to realize its comfy and cozy and she’ll willing go back for her daytime naps.
Step #3 – No Big Deal
If your cat ignores the new bed, no matter what you’ve done with it to be more enticing, it’s no big deal. A cat’s mood and taste can change on a daily basis, so what your feline disregards today, may become her favorite spot in the future.
Best Cat Bed Reviews – Our Top Choices
| Cat Carrier | Rating |
|---|---|
| Yicat Cat Bed, Pillow, and Quilt | |
| Kitty Ball Rattan Bed | |
| Kivikis Cat Bed | |
| Aspen Pet Round Bed | |
| K&H Manufacturing EZ Mount Window Bed | |
With so many choices out there for the perfect cat beds, we’ve decided to give you a helping paw and have clawed through the rest to find you the best. Here are our top picks for the best cat beds on the market today.
Yicat Pet Bed, Quilt and Pillow
The Yicat cat bed could be considered a luxury pet bed due to its overall style. The padded bed comes with a quilt and pillow and is made with a combination of quality canvas and coordinating plush fabric. The high sides will provide your feline with that protected-feel, while the overall Princess-bed design would be adorable in any home decor. Plus, for your added convenience the whole unit detaches for machine washing.
Pros of Yicat Bed, Quilt and Pillow
The great qualities I found pleasing of the Yicat Cat Bed are;
- Machine washable
- Unique design is more than just a “cat bed”
- Comes in two colors
- Padded for added comfort
- Comes with quilt and pillow
- Comes in three sizes
- Reasonably priced
The Cons of Yicat Bed, Quilt and Pillow
One of the disadvantages of the Yicat Bed is that the two color choices may not suit every decor. In addition, the unit is quite large, so it may not be suitable for smaller homes.
The overall rating of the Yicat Bed, Quilt and Pillow is 5 out of 5 for its unique design and the comfort it provides (in many forms) for the feline.
Kitty Ball Rattan Bed
Now you can have a cat bed that is totally stylish, while your cat gains a higher vantage point from her unique bed. This tall faux rattan bed is durable and easy to assemble. The large 17-inch diameter provides plenty of room for one or two cats and will not break if clawed. The fluffy machinable washable pillow is included and will provide a comfy spot for your cat to relax and nap. Some cats even like to utilize the top of the dome to perch on.
Pros of the Kitty Ball Rattan Bed
The qualities many people found pleasing about the Kitty Ball Bed are;
- It’s durable
- It’s stylish
- Provides the cat with a cave-like resting area
- Cushion is machine washable
Cons of the Kitty Ball Rattan Bed
A couple of disadvantages of the Kitty Rattan Ball is the unit may be too large for some smaller apartments or homes and it is a bit pricey.
The overall rating for the Kitty Ball Rattan Bed is 4 out of 5 for its height and overall stylish design. However, the unit could be viewed as expensive for a cat bed.
Kivikis Cat Bed
The Kivikis feline cave/house is no ordinary cat bed, this unit is made wet felted from natural, chemical free, ecological sheep wool. The unique design will provide your cat with the privacy he’s looking for as well as being super soft and pliable. Plus, it’s stylish and will look great in any home decor.
Pros of the Kivikis Cat Bed
These features are pleasing about the Kivikis Cat Bed;
- Durable
- Soft
- Easy to maintain
- Stylish
- Comes in 4 different colors
- Great for cats with allergies
- Eco-friendly
- Comfortable
- Will fit cats up to 17 pounds
Cons of the Kivikis Cat Bed
The price of this unique cat bed may be a drawn back for some people.
The overall rating of the Kivikis Cat Bed is a 5 out of 5 for its coziness and hypoallergenic properties.
Aspen Pet Round Bed
The raised sides and soft material are just two of the great features that have earned the Aspen Pet Round Bed a place on our top best cat beds list. Your cat will love the cozy, enveloped feel of this cat bed and the draft-blocking ability it has with the padded walls. It is stuffed with high-loft, recycled polyester fill so there’s nothing foreign or harmful used to create all that comfort.
Pros of the Aspen Pet Round Bed
The following features are very pleasing about the Aspen Pet Round Bed;
- Reasonably priced
- Padded for comfort
- High walls to block drafts
- Machine washable
Cons of the Aspen Pet Round Bed
A couple of drawbacks some pet parents may regard the Aspen Pet Round Bed for having is the 18″x18″ size and the animal print plush fabric on the inside of the bed.
The overall rating of the Aspen Pet Round Bed is 5 out of 5 for its comfort, durability and price point.
K&H Manufacturing EZ Mount Window Bed
Let your indoor kitty perch in this EZ Mount Window Bed by the K&S company. The ingenious design allows you to simply suction cup the unit to any window, then let kitty survey her surroundings from the comfort and safety of your own home. Place this in a sunny window and your cat will have the perfect warm napping spot. The unit even comes with its very own Amazin’ Kitty Pad for added comfort.
Pros of the K&H Manufacturing EZ Mount Window Bed
These features are very pleasing about the K&S Window Mounted Cat Bed;
- Easy mounting; just uses suction cups
- Open air concept for easy access
- Provides a high up vantage point for the cat
- Quality
- One year limited warranty
- Kitty pad is machine washable
- Holds up to 60 pounds
- Reasonably priced
Cons of the K&H Manufacturing EZ Mount Window Bed
Some people may not like the two-color choices available for the window-mounted unit.
The overall rating of the K&H Manufacturing EZ Mount Window Bed is a 4 out of 5 for its unique concept and ability to hold up to 60 pounds. However, some people may not feel secure with a window mounted unit or want to take up their viewing area.
Conclusion
We have three very clear winners of our best cat bed roundup. These models deliver durability, convenience and the comfort your cat will appreciate when it’s time to rest or nap.
If you’re shopping for the best cat bed you can find, take these helpful hints and tips to help further your decision.