Which bed should you choose for your cat? Shape, size and spot

You bought a lovely bed… and your cat sleeps in the box it came in. A classic! A cat picks its spot based on how it sleeps, warmth and where it feels safe. By watching its habits a little, you can choose a bed it will actually use.

Step 1: watch how your cat sleeps

It’s the best clue. Watch your cat for a few days:

Curls up in a ball, nose tucked into its tail: it likes round beds with raised edges to snuggle against.
Hides under the duvet, in cupboards or under the bed: it prefers a covered shelter, igloo-style.
Stretches out on its side or back: it needs a bigger surface, rather rectangular.
Rests its head on an edge (armrest, cushion): it will love a bed with padded sides.

Many cats change position with the seasons: curled up when it’s cold, stretched out when it’s warm.

Step 2: choose the shape

The igloo bed, for cats who like to hide

A closed or semi-closed shelter makes a cat feel out of sight, and it keeps the warmth in. Our plush igloo bed has a blanket attached to the edge: folded down, it makes a little shelter; folded up, it’s an open bed. Handy for a cat who can’t decide, or changes its mind with the seasons. It’s 40 cm in diameter and suits a cat or small dog up to 40 cm long, about 2.5 kg.

The round bed, for cats who sleep curled up

The great classic. A soft rim all around lets your cat snuggle in and rest its head. The round plush bed comes in 40, 50, 60 and 70 cm diameters, with a non-slip base.

The rectangular bed, for cats who stretch out

More room to lie down, and sides to lean on. The rectangular bed has a lower entrance at the front, handy for an older cat who finds it harder to step over. It comes in five sizes, from 45 × 30 cm to 80 × 60 cm.

Step 3: get the right size

A bed that’s too big doesn’t keep warm; too small, and your cat can’t settle in the way it likes.

For a round bed: measure your cat curled up, then go one size up.
For a rectangular bed: measure it lying stretched out, from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and add about ten centimetres.
For an igloo: check that your cat doesn’t exceed the length and weight given.

A medium-sized cat who sleeps curled up is often very happy in a 50 cm round bed. A large cat, or two cats who sleep together, will appreciate more space.

Step 4: choose the right spot

The best bed in the world will stay empty if it’s in the wrong place.

Somewhere quiet, away from busy areas, the washing machine and the front door.
Somewhere warm, but not right against a hot radiator. A patch of sunshine is often a favourite.
A little higher up, if possible: many cats like to watch the room from above, on a low piece of furniture or near a window.
Away from the food bowl and litter tray: cats like their areas well separated.
Where it already sleeps: the simplest option is often to put the bed in the spot it has already chosen.

How to help your cat adopt its new bed

Let the bed regain its shape: plush beds often travel compressed. Shake it and wait a day or two.
Add a familiar smell: an old jumper of yours or its usual blanket.
Make it appealing: a few pieces of kibble or a toy inside, or a play session right next to it.
Don’t force it: don’t put your cat in it by force. Let it come on its own, which can take a few days.

Care

A clean bed stays fluffy and keeps hair and smells down. Shake it regularly, run the vacuum or a hair-removal glove over the plush, and wash it according to the manufacturer’s instructions (ideally on a gentle cycle, air-dried).

Find all our beds in the Beds section. And if your cat is bored during the day, read my cat is bored: signs and solutions.

Frequently asked questions

My cat won’t use its bed, what should I do?

Move it, ideally to where your cat already sleeps, and add a smell it knows. Some cats need several days. And sometimes it will prefer another shape: a cat who hides will be more drawn to an igloo.

Do you need one bed per cat?

It’s a good idea, even if some cats happily sleep together. Having several resting spots avoids tension.

Can a dog bed work for a cat?

Yes, as long as the size is right. Our round and rectangular beds suit cats and small dogs alike: just choose the size for your pet.