FAQ: Beds & Bedding for cats

Cats love being near a heat source, but the bed must be at a safe distance to avoid fire or burn risk. Do not leave fire or hot surfaces unattended, and guard the fireplace with a screen.

Yes, a cat can get tangled in bag handles, suffocate in a plastic bag or chew the plastic. After unpacking a new bed, throw the packaging away at once, and offer the cat a safe box or cave instead of bags.

A house can be unsafe if it is unstable, has a narrow opening a large cat could get stuck in, or has protruding nails or staples. Check it before use and inspect it regularly for wear.

Pet heated beds usually warm only up to around or below a cat's body temperature to avoid burns. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and check the surface by hand — it should feel warm, not hot.

No, heating pads and blankets for people can get too hot and lack the safeguards pets need, such as a chew-resistant cord. Use only heated beds designed for pets.

In winter offer the cat an enclosed bed or cave, an extra blanket, a self-warming bed and a draught-free spot, such as near a radiator or off the floor. Older, hairless and thin cats need warmth the most.

In summer open, breathable cotton beds, hammocks or cooling mats in the shade suit cats. Plush caves can be put away for a while, and the cat should always have water and the option to lie on cool floors.

Most cooling mats are safe when used as directed and undamaged. Check a gel mat's condition, as a cat can puncture it with its claws and the contents must not be swallowed; if that happens, talk to a vet.

A self-warming bed, an enclosed cave, an extra wool or fleece blanket and a bed raised off cold floors all help. The bed can stand in a sunny spot or near a radiator, as long as the cat can move away from too much heat.

No, most hammocks are designed for a particular radiator type and depth, so measure your radiator and check the fixing method before buying. A poorly fitted hammock can slip off when the cat jumps in.

In summer a hammock on a cold radiator can still be a comfy resting spot, especially if it is raised and near a window. If the cat stops using it, wash the fabric and store it somewhere dry until autumn.

An overheating cat may breathe fast with its mouth open, be lethargic, wobble or drool heavily. In that case move it to a cool place at once, offer water and contact a vet urgently.

Wash and dry the glass and suction cups, press the cups firmly and test the load by hand before letting the cat on. Fix the hammock to a fixed pane rather than a window that is opened often.

Check the suction cups at least weekly and after every window cleaning, as they lose grip over time. In cold weather or with condensation on the glass they can come loose faster.

Usually yes, since the suction cups hold onto the inner pane if it is smooth and clean. Textured, decorative or film-covered glass is unsuitable, and very old or cracked panes are best not loaded.

On an opening sash the hammock can come loose, and the cat can fall out of an open window. Fix the lounger to a fixed part of the window and protect opening windows with a screen.

For an older cat, jumping into a high-mounted hammock can be hard and risky. A wide windowsill lounger or a low bed by the window, reachable by steps, suits such a cat better.

You can fit a sill-extending lounger, put a shelf or cat tree by the window, or use a suction-cup window hammock. The lounger must be stable and not near an opening window without a screen.

By the window a cat can watch birds, people and movement, and the sun keeps it warm. This is important entertainment for an indoor cat, so a bed or lounger by the window often becomes a favourite.

For many cats it is a favourite warm spot, and it is usually safe as long as the cat can move away freely. Make sure the sill is stable and that an open window is always protected by a screen.