If you have a cat, then I’m sure you often find it sleeping in places you’d least expect – bookshelves, cardboard boxes, shoe racks, etc. This observation has led many to believe that buying a bed for their cat is pointless.
While this claim may have some truth to it, I still believe that any kitty would enjoy having a pleasant and comfortable spot to snug down in.
Today, I’m going to present a list of the best cat beds on the market and explain what you need to know before buying one. These products come in a wide variety of styles and designs, so this article aims to help you pick the best possible model for your feline.
Top beds for cats
K&H Thermo-Kitty Heated Pet Bed
In case your pet loves snoozing close to a furnace, or on top of a heating vent then this product might be the right choice for it. K&H Thermo-Kitty is a soft and heated cat bed that is hard not to like.
Shape-wise, it is an open, round bed with high walls so it’s more suitable for younger cats as seniors could potentially have a hard time getting into them. They come in two different diameters – 16 and 20 inches, so you can pick the one that suits your cat’s size.
The bed is made from ortho-foam which is a very comfortable material and will provide loads of coziness to the pet. Another great thing about it is the thick padding which retains heat and stays warm all the time.
The 4-watt heater is powered through a cord that’s plugged into an electrical outlet. It is low-powered so don’t worry about having a high electricity bill as it won’t happen.
The heater works in such a way that it detects the temperature of the room and then heats the bed up to a slightly higher temperature if the cat isn’t lying on it. When the cat comes, it lowers the hit a bit, to complement the pet’s body temperature.
Now, when it comes to cleaning Thermo-Kitty’s cover is removable and can be washed in the washing machine. However, it is best if you line-dry it because trying to do that in a heated dryer might damage it.
Pros
- Soft, cozy, and comfortable
- The cover is machine-washable
- Suitable for cats who like warm spots
- The cord is relatively long (5.5’)
Cons
- Might not be good for senior cats
- The cover shouldn’t be dried in a dryer
Twin Critters Hand Crafted Cat Bed
The Twin Critters company’s products are unique on the market as they have a number of interesting features. They use organic materials to make their items, and the beds come in a variety of wacky, colorful designs. If you are a kind of person that’s concerned about the health of their beloved pet, then this company should catch your attention.
Twin Critters make cave beds from all-natural New Zealand wool, and they handcraft them in many different styles. Some are plain-looking, while others resemble fish, unicorns, and other peculiar creatures. Depending on the design, the price varies a few dollars, but this is definitely not a deal breaker.
The beds are about 12” tall and 20” wide while the opening has a diameter of 9”. This makes it quite spacious and should be more than enough for most cats. Wool is very soft and has a natural ability to regulate temperature no matter which season it is. It is also effective in repelling stains and odors, so it won’t get dirty very quickly.
Besides being healthy and breathable, this material also allows you to flatten the bed for easy storing or in case your cat likes to sleep on a mat.
In case you don’t like hand-washing, then this product might not be ideal for you. It is not machine-washable so soaking it in cold water and rubbing it is the only way to clean it properly.
Pros
- Made from all-natural, organic wool
- Healthy for the cat
- The material repels odors and stains
- Can be flattened into a mat
- Available in many interesting designs
Cons
- It is not machine-washable
- Might be a bit expensive for some
Armarkat Cave Bed
Since cats love to sleep in places that make them feel secure, I decided to put another cave bed into this list. If your kitty happens to enjoy warm, cushiony environments surrounded by walls for additional privacy, then it will adore this product.
The bed is made from soft velvet, and it includes a skid-free base. Armarkat beds are available in eleven different designs, all of which have different shapes, colors, and sizes. The sizes vary depending on the style of the bed, so some are tall but narrow while others are short but long. Larger beds are only a few bucks more expensive than the smaller ones, but this isn’t a big problem.
All these options might make it hard for a person to decide which model to pick, so I say that the first thing to consider should be your cat’s age. If your pet is old, definitely choose a model with a low-entry lip, and there are many of those at Armarkat.
What’s so nice about these beds is that they hold the shape very well, even when the cat moves around inside. Also, the cover is stain-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about washing it very often. When cleaning time comes, you can just throw it into the washing machine and hang it to dry afterward. It shouldn’t be washed frequently as this might wear it out.
If the cover or the cushion ever get damaged or start looking ugly and old, you can call up the company and order a replacement part. This is a big bonus as not many manufacturers offer this service.
Pros
- Made from super-soft, pet-friendly materials
- Available in eleven interesting designs
- Can be found in different sizes
- Machine-washable
- Doesn’t stain easily
Cons
- Shouldn’t be washed frequently
- The cat might tip it over
Pet Fusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge
And now for something a bit different from what you’d expect to find in a list of cat bed reviews. Pet Fusion is a lounger and might appeal to those who have energetic and active cats with a “scratching problem.” Let’s take a closer look at this product.
The Cat Scratcher lounge is made from thick cardboard and has an attractive, curved design. It looks as if you’ve squashed a big circle-shaped object. The cardboard is glued together with non-toxic, cornstarch glue, so there’s no need to worry about it being bad for the kitty’s health.
The material is solid and will allow the cat to scratch it as much as it wants, and when it gets tired, this object becomes the perfect place to chill and nap. Besides being a stress-reliever, scratching also helps cats maintain healthy claws, so it is necessary for them to do it.
The lounger is relatively large, and its dimensions are 34 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches. It is available in three different colors so you can pick the one that suits your interior the most. Pet Fusion’s product has been awarded an Eco-Excellence award in 2015 for its environmentally friendly way of production. Those who like to watch Animal Planet might have seen it on the TV show “My Cat From Hell”.
All in all, this is a useful product that’s worth its price, even though it is a bit higher than most of its competition. The manufacturer offers a 6-month warranty if you happen not to be satisfied or in case there are some defects.
Pros
- Strong, quality build
- Eco-friendly (uses recycled cardboard)
- Made from non-toxic materials
- Great for cats which love to scratch
- Available in three colors
Cons
- Not good for cats that like soft surfaces
- It tends to wear out over time
Sheri Ortho Comfort Deep Dish Cuddler
Looking for a cozy bed for your feline? Then you mustn’t overlook this one. The Sheri Ortho deep dish cuddler radiates with comfort, and you’ll know it’s true as soon as you lay your eyes upon it.
This bed looks kind of like an oversized baseball mitt – it is round and has one high and one low side. The higher wall provides support for the cats back as it presses against it while it’s lying down, while the lower wall can be great for the pet to rest its head on. The item is available in two sizes, jumbo, and standard.
The jumbo bed has a 13” high bolster and 9” low bolster, whereas the standard one’s bolsters are 12” and 9”. There are fourteen different colors and designs available in both sizes so it shouldn’t be hard to find one that you like.
It is a good product for senior felines it terms of comfort, but it isn’t so accessible for cats which don’t move well anymore or have a condition such as arthritis. As for the material, the bed is lined with Sherpa fleece, which is a polyblend material and it aims to replicate the feel and features of real fleece.
The great thing about this material is that cats seem to adore it and it is easy to clean.
The beds are machine-washable and dryer-friendly, so they won’t give you a lot of fuss when it’s time to clean them. Due to their bolsters, the beds have weight limitations. The small one’s limit is 25 pounds while the larger can handle 30 pounds.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Machine-washable and dryer-safe
- Available in two sizes and fourteen colors
Cons
- There are weight limitations
- Not good for older cats with movement restrictions
MidWest Quiet Time Thick Mat
Cats (and owners) who enjoy simplicity will probably be interested in checking out this product. MidWest Quiet Time mat is as simple and straightforward as pet beds get and if you like these features, please read on.
This item can be used as a stand-alone bed, or if you prefer, you can place it inside of a crate. The bottom side is covered with a non-skid surface which increases friction between the mat and the floor so it will not move around. What’s exceptionally nice about this product is its outer shell – soft, plush and, most importantly durable, in case your kitten likes to scratch.
Now, the material used is a kind of polyester which might not be suitable for everyone as certain people and pets do not like synthetic materials. However, there seemed to be no issues with this one regarding cat’s health, so there’s no cause for concern. The mat comes in seven dimensions with the smallest one being 11” x 17” and the largest 29” x 46”.
If your kitty tends to mark territory, or to put it bluntly, pee in the bed, then my best advice would be to place it in a crate with plastic lining as the bed’s material doesn’t retain liquids and they will spill out on the floor.
When “accidents” like this happen or if it gets dirty, you can machine wash it and dry it in a dryer. In case you experience any troubles, or the product gets damaged, the manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Made from soft, plush material
- Machine-washable and dryer-friendly
- Available in three colors and seven sizes
- Features a non-skid surface on the bottom
- Very affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t absorb liquids
- Some cats might not enjoy the synthetic material
Pet Palace Snooze Tunnel
Those who weren’t able to figure out just what kind of bed would be suitable for their cat should maybe try out this multi-functional one. The Pet Palace Snooze Tunnel is a 2-in-1 product which can be zipped into a tunnel-like shape or unzipped to be laid out like a mat. It is ideal for kitties who like more than one type of bed.
When spread out, the bed’s size amounts to 32” x 20” while its folded dimensions are 13.5” x 19.25” x 8”. The bed’s construction includes three layers including a middle, thermo-reflective material which helps to keep the surface warm as it reflects the heat of the pet’s body.
The outer layer is covered with faux fleece, and it has electrostatic properties which enable it to trap hair and prevent potential health problems for family members with allergy issues.
A great benefit of the Pet Palace is that you can place it literally anywhere – on the couch, on the floor, in the car, and so on. It is machine-washable, but it is recommended to wash it in a laundry bag to protect the faux fleece from getting damaged. When it comes to drying, it is safe to tumble dry it, but it is preferable if you hang it.
Even though it is easy to get into, this bed isn’t the best option for older cats as they are fully grown and might not fit into it. So yes, the bed is best for small to medium sized felines.
Pros
- 2-in-1 function (tunnel and mat)
- Thermo-reflective core keeps it warm
- Machine-washable and dryer-friendly
- Material traps the hairs inside
- Pretty cheap
Cons
- Not good for large cats
- Some users complained about the zipper
Types of cat beds
Cat beds differ in terms of material and shape so we can divide them into the following categories:
Pillow beds
The name is self-explanatory – it is a bed that resembles (or pretty much IS) a pillow. They are soft, easy to maintain, and might prevent the kitty from jumping on your bed all the time.
Cave beds
Cave beds, also known as teepees, igloos, and so on, are enclosed structures made from a soft material that a cat is able to step into. Cats that have kittens enjoy these models as they give them a sense of security.
Open beds
Open beds are simple beds which have walls but no roof. They can be round, rectangular or of some other shape, and are usually soft and plush.
Cat mats
These are mainly small mats intended for a cat to nap on.
Loungers
This type differs from the rest as it is commonly made from wood or some other hard material. It’s good for kitties which like to relax or sleep on firm surfaces.
Basket beds
These beds are composed of two parts – a wicker-type basket and a cushion inside of it. They look nice, cats seem to like them, but they might be too bulky for certain homes.
What to know before buying a cat bed?
Watch how your cat behaves
Pay attention to how the cat likes to sleep. For example, if it likes to sleep under a pile of clothes or a cushion, maybe a cave bed would be good for it. On the other hand, if the cat snoozes curled up in a ball, get around the bed.
However, even if you buy the bed that you think is suitable for the pet’s preferred sleeping position this still doesn’t mean that the cat will like it. This is ok, so do not get discouraged; return the product, try another one, and eventually, you’ll get it right.
Think about the size
The size of the bed doesn’t only depend on how big the cat is, but also on how it behaves in the bed. Some cats like to stretch out which means that they’ll need a larger bed. Many felines love to lounge, and the ideal model for them would be an open one, as long as their body.
An enclosed bed will give them a feeling of security, and it wouldn’t be bad if it would be big enough for them to stretch in. Again, experiment a little bit, see how the pet responds, and then you’ll know for sure.
Natural is always better
It would be a good idea to go for natural materials such as cotton or wool because they are more breathable than synthetic materials. These materials also have much less odor which is a good thing as cats’ noses are very sensitive.
Feel free to try out polyester or other fabrics if you wish but always keep an eye on how the cat reacts to it.
Adjust the bed to the cat’s age
If your cat is old and can’t move so well anymore, it might be better if it had a bed with a low entry lip. Another thing that senior felines will benefit from are the softer, orthopedic materials as they provide more comfort. With juvenile cats or kittens, you won’t have to worry so much about accessibility.
Pick a bed that’s easy to clean
This is a significant factor that you should keep in mind at all times when searching for a cat bed. Definitely get one which is machine washable. However, be careful when washing it and make sure always to follow the instructions closely as these things are very sensitive as even a slight mistake might cause the bed to shrink or even tear.
What spot the cat likes to sleep in?
Try to see where your pet likes to sleep; maybe it’s the window sill, or close to the heater, or on the highest shelf in the house. Nevertheless, this can give you a clue about where you should place the bed so make sure that it can fit this spot.
Heated or not?
Some beds have heaters inside of them, and they can be an excellent choice for cats that like warm, snuggly places.
The final word
Slowly but surely, I’ve reached the end of the article, and now it is time to declare a winner of the roundup. It’s tough to say which one is the best when you have so many amazing products to choose from but I’ve made the decision to award K&H Thermo-Kitty bed with 1st place.
The main reasons I chose this one include its ability to heat up and stay warm for a long time as well as the ultra-comfortable material that it’s made of. Washing the cover doesn’t present a problem either, so I feel that this is a product that both the cat and the owner will enjoy having around.
Of course, it’s needless to say that the other beds I reviewed do not fall far behind K&H, and I encourage you to try out the one that you like the most.
