How to Choose the Right Bed for Your Cat

By Dr Duncan Houston

For cats, a comfortable bed needs more than a soft cushion. It also needs to feel safe, sit in the right place and be easy to reach.

A confident young cat may enjoy an elevated lookout. A shy cat may prefer a sheltered cave. An older cat with arthritis may need supportive padding and an entrance they can step through comfortably.

The best starting point is your cat’s existing habits. Their preferred sleeping spot tells you more than the photograph on the packaging.

Quick Answer

Choose a cat bed according to your cat’s age, weight, mobility, preference for cover and sleeping position. Cats with arthritis or reduced mobility often benefit from supportive cushioning, a low entrance and easy access, while healthy lighter cats may be comfortable on softer filling. Covered beds can suit cats who like hiding, and fluffy textures can appeal to cats who enjoy kneading and nuzzling. Look for washable removable covers, with a waterproof liner if needed, and place the bed somewhere your cat can rest undisturbed.

1. Match the Bed to Your Cat’s Age

Kittens

Choose a stable, accessible bed with soft padding and washable materials. Avoid loose ribbons, decorative attachments or exposed filling that a curious kitten could chew and swallow.

Initially, a low resting spot makes it easier to get in and out. As their coordination develops, provide safe climbing and resting options appropriate to their abilities.

A kitten may outgrow a small cave quickly, so check both the entrance and the space inside.

Adult cats

For a healthy adult, preference plays a large role.

Watch whether your cat curls tightly, sprawls on their side, sleeps against something or seeks an overhead covering. Provide enough room for their usual sleeping positions, including turning and stretching.

Some cats appreciate more than one option and change sleeping locations throughout the day.

Senior cats

Make access a priority. A high-sided bed or deep cushion may become difficult to navigate as mobility changes.

Offer a low entrance, a stable base and enough cushioning for comfortable rest. If your cat still enjoys an elevated spot, well-secured steps or a ramp with good grip may help preserve access. Cornell recommends adapting favourite resting places rather than assuming an older cat simply no longer wants to use them.

2. Consider Body Weight and Mattress Support

A heavier cat places more load on the same cushion, so check how well the filling holds up beneath them.

The bed should retain useful padding under the shoulders and hips once your cat lies down. A cushion that looks generous when empty may flatten substantially in use.

For larger cats, look for:

• Resilient filling that does not collapse to a thin layer.

• Enough usable sleeping space for their whole body.

• A stable surface for turning and standing.

• An appropriately sized entrance if the bed is enclosed.

Is memory foam a good choice for cats?

A supportive memory foam bed is an option for cats with painful joints. VCA includes orthopaedic or memory foam bedding among the home adjustments that may improve comfort for cats with osteoarthritis.

However, judge the actual mattress. Thickness, firmness, construction and wear matter more than the label alone.

The aim is comfortable cushioning without excessive sinking. A cat should be able to change position and get up easily.

Healthy, lighter cats may do well with a softer fibre-filled bed because they compress it less. But small cats can have arthritis too, and a thin cat with little padding over their bones still needs a comfortable surface.

Weight is one consideration, not a complete prescription for bed firmness.

3. Adapt the Bed for Arthritis and Other Health Problems

Cats with arthritis do not always show an obvious limp.

You might notice hesitation before jumping, abandoning a favourite high perch, stiffness after resting, reduced grooming or reluctance to climb into a bed. These changes can reflect pain and deserve a veterinary assessment.

For a cat with mobility problems, prioritise:

• A low opening that does not require a jump.

• Supportive padding that remains comfortable under their weight.

• A non-slip base and good grip around the bed.

• A quiet location with easy access to everyday resources.

• A route to favourite resting places that avoids large jumps.

International Cat Care recommends accessible, soft resting areas and practical changes such as non-slip ramps or intermediate steps for cats with joint pain.

A cat recovering from surgery or living with weakness may need a different setup. Follow their veterinary team’s instructions about climbing, confinement, positioning and bedding.

A better bed can improve comfort, but it does not replace treatment for pain. Continue any prescribed arthritis plan, including suitable activity and weight management where needed.

4. Choose a Covered Bed for Cats Who Like Hiding

A cave, igloo or covered bed can provide a sheltered retreat for a cat who enjoys privacy.

Hiding itself is a normal feline behaviour. Many confident cats enjoy a quiet enclosed nap, so choosing a cave does not automatically mean your cat is anxious. Cats Protection recommends providing safe hiding places where cats can rest without being disturbed.

A suitable covered bed should have:

• Enough space to turn around and settle comfortably.

• An entrance your cat can use without squeezing or struggling.

• Adequate ventilation.

• A stable structure.

• An unobstructed way out.

If another animal could block the entrance, a hide with two exits may be a better choice. Feline environmental guidance emphasises the importance of escape routes and safe access to resting areas.

Let your cat enter voluntarily. Avoid pushing them inside or reaching in repeatedly to stroke them. A retreat only works if the cat can control when they use it.

Some cats prefer an open bed with raised sides so they can rest while watching the room. Offer that option if they avoid enclosed spaces.

5. Choose a Texture They Enjoy

Fluffy, fleece or plush surfaces can suit cats who like nuzzling and kneading.

Kneading is the repeated pressing of the front paws into a surface, often a blanket or lap. It begins during nursing and can continue into adulthood. The exact reasons adult cats knead are not fully understood, so avoid assuming a particular fabric has a proven calming effect.

If your cat enjoys a soft surface, a washable plush cover over supportive padding can offer both texture and comfort.

Check for:

• Loose fibres that can be pulled free.

• Looped fabric that repeatedly catches their claws.

• Fraying seams or exposed filling.

• Wool or fabric chewing.

Kneading and swallowing fabric are different behaviours. Cats who ingest wool, threads or pieces of bedding can develop intestinal obstruction. Remove access to materials they swallow and discuss the behaviour with your vet.

A smooth, tightly woven cover may be more suitable for a fabric-chewing cat, although no fabric is guaranteed to resist determined chewing.

6. Prioritise Washable Covers and Practical Protection

Even a dedicated self-groomer leaves hair, skin debris and the occasional surprise on their bed.

Removable slip-on or zip-off covers make cleaning easier. Check whether the cover fits your washing machine, how it must be dried and whether the mattress itself can be washed.

A spare cover means your cat does not lose their preferred sleeping spot on laundry day.

When is a waterproof liner useful?

A waterproof liner beneath a comfortable outer cover can help protect the mattress from urine, vomit or moisture. It is particularly useful for cats with accidents or ongoing care needs.

Check whether the protection covers the whole mattress and inspect seams and zips. Water-resistant fabric may repel a small spill without preventing liquid from soaking through during prolonged contact.

Change wet or soiled bedding promptly. A waterproof barrier protects the filling, but the surface touching your cat still needs to stay clean and dry.

New urine accidents should be investigated rather than accepted as an inevitable part of ageing.

Keep some familiar scent

Cats use scent to recognise familiar surroundings. For routine washing, rotate bedding rather than cleaning every resting item at once, provided the remaining items are clean and safe. This approach is recommended in the AAFP and ISFM feline environmental guidelines.

Use a well-rinsed, preferably fragrance-free detergent and follow the care label. Avoid adding perfume to make the bed smell appealing to people.

If your vet has prescribed a cleaning routine for parasites or an infectious condition, follow that advice instead.

Warmth, Height and Location Matter Too

Many cats seek warm resting places, particularly as they age. Position the bed away from cold draughts, while allowing your cat to move somewhere cooler.

Warm should never become hot. Cats with reduced mobility may struggle to move away from excessive heat and can be burned. If additional heating is needed, ask your vet about a suitable pet-specific setup and follow its instructions.

For an elevated bed, check the platform, fastenings, weight rating and route up and down. A loose cushion on a narrow shelf is not a secure resting place.

Keep sleeping areas away from noisy appliances, busy walkways and the litter tray. In homes with several cats, provide separate resting choices in different locations so one cat cannot control access to all of them.

Which Bed Features Suit Your Cat?

Your cat’s needs	Features to prioritise	What to watch for
Kitten	Stable, accessible bed with washable padding	Loose threads, chewable decorations and outgrowing the entrance
Healthy adult	Preferred shape and room to change position	A location they avoid or padding that flattens
Large or heavy cat	Resilient cushioning and generous internal space	Sinking through to the base or an undersized opening
Arthritis or reduced mobility	Low entrance, supportive mattress and good grip	Hesitation, slipping or difficulty standing
Cat who likes hiding	Quiet, ventilated cave with a clear exit	Another animal blocking access
Cat who enjoys kneading	Soft washable surface with secure fibres	Snagged claws, chewing or fabric ingestion
Cat with accidents	Washable cover, waterproof liner and spare bedding	Dampness, skin irritation or an untreated medical cause

A cat may need several of these features together. An older, nervous cat could benefit from a covered bed with supportive padding and a low entrance.

How to Introduce a New Cat Bed

1. Start near a preferred resting spot. Familiar surroundings can make the new bed easier to accept.

2. Add familiar bedding if safe. A clean blanket your cat already uses can make the new surface smell more familiar.

3. Keep access simple. Check the entrance, footing and route to the bed.

4. Let your cat choose. Avoid repeatedly placing them inside or disturbing them once they settle.

5. Adjust one feature at a time. Try changing the location before assuming the entire bed is wrong.

Cats Protection notes that unfamiliar smells can contribute to bed avoidance and suggests adding an item carrying the cat’s own scent.

An ignored bed does not necessarily mean it is uncomfortable. Your cat may dislike the location, temperature, smell or lack of visibility. The price tag rarely features in their decision.

When Should You Contact Your Vet?

A cat who occasionally changes sleeping spots may simply be expressing a preference.

A cat who suddenly hides much more, stops visiting favourite places, struggles to rise or seems persistently uncomfortable needs assessment. Pain, illness, household tension and changes in the environment can all alter resting behaviour.

Contact your vet promptly if a change in sleeping or hiding comes with reduced appetite, poor grooming, altered toileting or reduced movement.

Seek emergency care if your cat suddenly cannot stand or use a limb, or appears to be in severe pain. Do not assume this is ordinary stiffness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing softness without checking support. Deep sinking can make movement harder.

• Placing every bed up high. Older or less mobile cats also need accessible resting options.

• Forcing a cat into a cave. Privacy should come with choice and a clear escape route.

• Overlooking household competition. Several beds clustered together may still be controlled by one cat.

• Treating new hiding as a personality change. Rule out pain or illness when behaviour changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cats need memory foam beds?

Not all cats do. Healthy cats may be comfortable on other well-padded surfaces. Memory foam is worth considering for cats who need additional support, particularly those with joint pain.

Are covered beds better for nervous cats?

They can provide a useful retreat for cats who like hiding. Choose a safe entrance and exit, introduce the bed without pressure and address ongoing anxiety with your vet.

Why does my cat knead their bed?

Kneading is a normal behaviour that starts in kittenhood and often occurs on soft surfaces. Allow it if the material remains intact and your cat is not swallowing fibres.

How many beds should I provide?

Offer several resting choices where space allows, with a separate safe option for every cat. Spread them around the home, and include accessible alternatives for cats who cannot comfortably climb.

A well-chosen cat bed gives your cat support, comfort and control over where they rest. Start with their habits, adapt for their health and let their behaviour tell you whether the setup works.

For more practical guidance on feline comfort and wellbeing, explore ASK A VET™. If your cat’s sleep, mobility or hiding behaviour has changed, speak with your vet so you can address the cause as well as the sleeping space.