A cat spends much of the day asleep or dozing. They choose their spots with care, and not always the ones planned for them. Understanding their criteria helps you offer a bed that they will really use.
What a cat looks for to sleep
Four criteria come up almost every time.
- Warmth. A cat seeks out warm spots: a patch of sun, the top of an appliance, your lap.
- Safety. They sleep better when nothing can surprise them from behind. Hence their liking for nooks, beds with high sides and high places.
- Calm. Busy routes, slamming doors and noisy appliances put them off.
- A familiar scent. Your jumper, your bed, their own blanket: whatever smells of home reassures them.
They also change spot through the hours and seasons. In summer, they seek the coolness of a tiled floor. In winter, they follow the sun from one room to another. Several beds are therefore better than just one.
The places they prefer
High up
The top of a wardrobe, a shelf, the top of a cat tree. They see everything and feel out of reach. If your cat often sleeps up high, add a cushion or a folded blanket. Check that they can get up and down without jumping from too high, especially if they are getting older.
Near a source of heat
The sill of a sunny window or a corner near a radiator attracts them. A radiator hammock may appeal to them. Just avoid scorching surfaces and appliances they could knock over.
On your things
Clean laundry, the armchair where you read, your side of the bed. They settle there because these spots carry your scent and stay warm after you have been there.
In a shelter
Cardboard box, closed basket, under the bed: some cats only sleep deeply out of sight. Leave at least one hiding place accessible at all times.
Which bed to choose
First watch how your cat sleeps.
- They curl in a ball: a round bed with raised sides lets them lean and keep their warmth.
- They sprawl at full length: a flat cushion or a folded blanket will suit them better.
- They hide to sleep: a covered bed, igloo style, or a basket slipped under a piece of furniture.
As for material, favour a soft textile that keeps warmth and cleans easily. A removable cover makes care simpler.
The blanket, a no-effort bed
Often, the cat has already chosen: a corner of the sofa or an armchair. Rather than moving them off, lay a blanket there. It protects your fabric and gives them a soft surface that keeps their scent. Cats like to settle on our alpaca blankets, in alpaca and wool, designed in Estonia and made in Peru. Brush them regularly and have them dry-cleaned when needed.
Where to put their bed
- In a room where you live, so that they sleep near you without being in the way.
- Away from the litter tray and the bowl.
- Out of draughts and the scorching summer sun.
- In several places if possible: one up high, one on the floor, one sheltered.
If you have several cats, provide at least one bed per cat, in different places. Some sleep together, others prefer to keep their distance.
Getting them to accept a new bed
A cat is often wary of a new object. To help them:
- Put the bed where they already sleep, rather than where it suits you.
- Add a piece of clothing you have worn or their old blanket, for the scent.
- Let them discover it alone. Do not put them in it by force.
- Give them time. Some cats accept it straight away, others after several days.
A little catnip sprinkled on it attracts some cats. Not all of them react to it.
What if they sleep in your bed?
Many cats join their humans at night. It is your choice. If you accept it, keep their parasite treatments up to date with your vet and wash your sheets regularly. If you prefer to sleep alone, close the door from the start and offer them a comfortable bed right next to it, with a piece of your clothing. A cat accepts a clear, consistent rule better than a door that is open one evening in two.
When to worry
A sudden change in sleep deserves your attention. If your cat sleeps much more than usual, hides all the time, no longer climbs to their favourite high spots or eats less, make an appointment with the vet. These signs can hide pain or illness, which cats show little.
To go further on your cat's wellbeing at home, read Making an Indoor Cat Happy.
In short
- Warmth, safety, calm and a familiar scent guide their choices.
- Offer several beds: up high, on the floor, sheltered.
- Choose the shape according to how they sleep.
- Put the new bed where they already sleep.
- Sleep that changes all at once warrants a vet's opinion.