FAQ: Beds & Bedding for cats

While still damp, stretch and shape the bed by hand and shake out fibre filling so it spreads evenly. When drying, the sides can be stuffed with dry towels to help them keep their shape.

If the bed has a removable cover or zip, flattened filling can be replaced with new fibre or a foam pad. That restores the bed's softness while the cat keeps the familiar cover with its scent.

A cat does not need darkness, but it likes a quiet, dim spot where no one walks past. During the day many cats choose sunny spots, so having both a bright and a dimmer resting place is good.

Loss can be stressful for a cat, so keep the usual routine and familiar resting spots, and do not wash or move the beds right away. If the cat goes long without eating, hides constantly or becomes listless, see a vet.

Static usually builds up in synthetic plush beds when the air is dry during the heating season. A humidifier, cotton or wool blankets on the bed and washing without strongly scented products all help.

It can if the bed stands somewhere damp, such as a balcony or against a cold wall, or was not dried properly after washing. A mouldy bed should be thrown away, as mould spores can harm both the cat and people.

Some cats suck or knead fabric, especially wool — it can be a habit in kittens weaned too early or a sign of stress. If the cat swallows pieces of fabric, talk to a vet, as this is dangerous for digestion.

A cat scratches and kneads its bed to mark it and get it ready to lie in, and sometimes because there is no scratcher nearby. If the bed tears quickly, put a scratcher beside it and choose a sturdier, densely woven bed.

Many cats love warm floors, and a bed on them is usually safe as long as the floor is warm rather than hot. An electric heated bed on top of underfloor heating is unnecessary, and the cat should have a cooler spot to choose too.

It is not essential, but it is handy, especially for older cats that find frequent stair climbing hard. A bed or blanket on each floor lets the cat rest wherever the family is.

Such beds can be used as a cave or folded open into an open bed. That is handy when you are unsure what your cat prefers, and lets you adapt the bed to the season.

By the door a cat can wait for its owner and watch who comes and goes, and in summer it is often cooler there because of the draught. If the cat lies there a lot, a small mat can go nearby, but not in the walkway.

A cat needs a quiet spot out of children's reach, such as high on a shelf, a cat tree or a separate room. Teach children not to wake the cat or pull it out of its bed, so it feels safe.

With a cone, a cat struggles to get into a cave or high-sided bed, so a wide, flat bed or mattress without sides suits it during that time. It should be low so no jumping is needed.

In the cold, dark months many cats sleep longer and move less, especially indoors. But if the cat becomes lethargic, eats less or stops wanting to play, it may be illness rather than the season, so talk to a vet.

For a newly adopted cat, a versatile bed with sides and a removable cover, or one that works as both a cave and an open bed, is a good start. Watch for a few weeks where and how the cat sleeps, and choose further beds accordingly.

In winter the cold glass can make the spot chilly, so lay a warm blanket or fleece pad on the window lounger. Suction cups grip less well in cold weather, so check them more often.

Many cats love sleeping on wardrobes, and it is safe as long as the cat can get up and down easily and the bed cannot slide off the edge. High spots can become too hard for older cats, so give them steps or a lower alternative.

Yes, if the carrier stands open with a soft pad inside, the cat starts using it as an ordinary resting spot. Vet visits and trips are then less stressful, because the carrier feels familiar and safe.

Not always: some houseplants and cut flowers are toxic to cats, and lilies are especially dangerous even in small amounts. Check that plants near the bed are cat-safe, and if you notice signs of poisoning, contact a vet urgently.