In this guide
You buy a beautiful bed, your cat sniffs it, ignores it and goes to sleep in the box it came in. Classic. Cats don’t pick beds for looks: they look for warmth, security, height and their own scent. Get those right and the odds of the bed being used go way up.
Quick answer: International Cat Care recommends several beds in different places, ideally raised, warm and quiet, with a mix of open and covered options. For cats that sleep curled up, a round donut bed like the Bedsure Calming Donut. For shy or older cats, a cave like the Meowfia wool cave or the Bedsure Cat House. For window watchers, a window perch like the Zakkart, supported from below.
What cats look for in a sleeping spot#
According to International Cat Care:
- Warmth: cats prefer warm places to sleep, though in very hot weather they may choose a cooler spot.
- Familiar scent: many like places that smell strongly of themselves and the home, which feels safe. Beds should be washable, but not washed too often unless dirty.
- Height: many cats feel vulnerable sleeping on the floor. If you offer a bed, put it somewhere raised.
- Variety: offer beds in different places (warm, sunny, quiet and social). They don’t have to be “cat beds”: many cats are happy on your bed, a chair or the couch with a warm blanket in their favorite spot.
- Hiding places: time out from social demands is essential, so hiding places matter, and a cat shouldn’t be disturbed there (unless you think it’s unwell).
- Multi-cat homes: beds with more than one way in or out help prevent one cat from blocking another.
Which type suits your cat#
| Type | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Round / donut | Cats that sleep curled up | Check the diameter for large cats |
| Cave / igloo | Shy or older cats, or cats that like to hide | In hot weather, pick one that also works as an open bed |
| Cat house / cube | Hiding below, lounging on top | Check weight limits for jumping cats |
| Window perch | Cats that love height and watching outside | Check your window type and the weight limit |
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For older cats or cats with joint pain, International Cat Care’s home-changes guide says they benefit from soft beds in quiet, easy-to-reach, draft-free spots, that many older cats prefer igloo-style beds to stay warm and secure, and that steps or ramps help them reach high places.
The beds we picked#
Quick comparison (data from the listings cited below, checked Oct 19, 2026):
| Bed | Type | Size (listing) | Washable | Rating at check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedsure Calming Donut | Round, raised rim | 20 x 20 x 6 in | Machine washable (XS–M) | 4.6 (27,164) |
| Meowfia Wool Cave (M) | Felted wool cave | 16 x 16 x 10 in; cats up to 10 lb | Follow wool care guide | 4.7 (15,390) |
| Bedsure Cat House | Enclosed cube + top platform | Inside 16.5 x 16.5 x 13 in; cats under 20 lb | Removable covers | 4.6 (19,987) |
| Zakkart Window Perch | Metal-supported perch + bed | 25 x 14 x 12.5 in; up to 40 lb | Bed machine washable | 4.8 (4,587) |
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Best round bed
Bedsure Calming Donut Cat Bed, 20 in
Who it’s for: cats that sleep curled up and like a rim to rest their head on.
What the listing says (checked Oct 19, 2026):
- 20 x 20 x 6 in, faux fur with a raised rim; non-slip base.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified materials, per the listing; smaller sizes (XS–M) are fully machine washable.
- 4.6 out of 5 from 27,164 ratings, #1 in Cat Beds at the time we checked.
Heads-up: “calming” is the brand’s marketing term. A round bed on the floor works best if you can place it somewhere raised and warm.
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Best cave for shy cats
Meowfia Wool Cat Cave
Who it’s for: shy cats, older cats and cats that like to hide.
What the listing says (checked Oct 19, 2026):
- Handcrafted felted merino wool cave, 16 x 16 x 10 in (size M); the top can also be used as a bed.
- Size M is for cats up to 10 lb; size L (sold separately) for cats up to 20 lb.
- 4.7 out of 5 from 15,390 ratings at the time we checked.
Heads-up: wool needs the brand’s care routine. The listing suggests putting your clothes inside at first so it smells familiar — consistent with International Cat Care’s point about scent.
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Hide below, lounge on top
Bedsure Cat House with Scratch Pad
Who it’s for: cats that like both a hideout and a lookout, and multi-cat homes.
What the listing says (checked Oct 19, 2026):
- Enclosed bottom area 16.5 x 16.5 x 13 in plus a cushioned top platform.
- MDF panels with soft lambswool fabric (per the listing); sisal scratch board and hanging ball; folds flat.
- Removable, reversible, machine-washable cushion covers; for cats under 20 lb.
- 4.6 out of 5 from 19,987 ratings at the time we checked.
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Best window perch
Zakkart Cat Window Perch, metal supported
Who it’s for: cats that love height and watching birds.
What the listing says (checked Oct 19, 2026):
- Metal frame with triangular arms supported from below; holds up to 40 lb, per the brand.
- Machine-washable bed included; no tools needed; attaches to the window.
- 4.8 out of 5 from 4,587 ratings at the time we checked.
Heads-up: the listing gives slightly different sizes (25 x 14 x 12.5 in and 23 x 12.5 x 13 in). The brand offers free replacement suction cups, so check them periodically; make sure your window and sill suit the mount.
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How to get your cat to use a new bed#
- Put it where your cat already sleeps, or somewhere a little higher nearby.
- Add a blanket or T-shirt that smells of your cat (or of you).
- Don’t force it: don’t put your cat in the bed. Let it explore.
- Offer more than one option in different places and see which wins.
- Wash in moderation, alternating blankets to keep the familiar scent.
Related guides#
- Cat scratching post: a good post near the bed matters, since cats often scratch on waking.
- Interactive cat toys: burn energy before bedtime.
- Cat carrier: leaving the carrier open with a blanket also turns it into a resting spot.
Bottom line#
The best cat bed respects what cats look for: warmth, height, familiar scent and a place to hide. For curl-up sleepers, the Bedsure Donut; for shy or older cats, the Meowfia cave or Bedsure Cat House; for window watchers, the Zakkart perch. And as International Cat Care recommends, several options in different places usually work better than one bed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best type of cat bed?
It depends on the cat. International Cat Care recommends several options in different places — warm, sunny, quiet and social — and says a mix of covered and open spots works well. Cats that sleep curled up often like round beds; shy or older cats often like cave-style beds.
Where should I put my cat's bed?
Preferably somewhere raised, because many cats feel vulnerable sleeping on the floor, according to International Cat Care. In cold homes, near warmth or sun; in very hot weather, a cat may prefer a cooler spot. Cats that like to be alone need beds in quiet areas.
My cat won't use the new bed. What should I do?
Put it where your cat already sleeps, or somewhere a little higher, and lay a blanket that smells of your cat on top. International Cat Care notes that cats like familiar-smelling places and many are happy on the owner's bed, a chair or the couch.
How often should I wash a cat bed?
The bed should be washable, but International Cat Care advises not washing it too often unless it's dirty, because cats seek places that smell of themselves. Alternating between two blankets helps.
Sources
- International Cat Care — Making your home cat friendly
- International Cat Care — Cat carer guide: changes to the home environment (PDF)
- Amazon.com — Bedsure Calming Donut Cat Bed, 20 in (ASIN B08PQQ2FHQ)
- Amazon.com — Meowfia Wool Cat Cave (ASIN B078NJM2CT)
- Amazon.com — Bedsure Cat House (ASIN B08CY5VR5W)
- Amazon.com — Zakkart Cat Window Perch (ASIN B08SQX65CN)
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