FAQ: Beds & Bedding for cats

A heated bed helps older, hairless, thin and ill cats, as well as cats in cold homes or rooms. A healthy cat in a warm flat usually does not need one — a self-warming bed or blanket is enough.

A self-warming bed only reflects the cat's body heat and has no electrics, so it can go anywhere. An electric bed actively heats and suits cats that need more warmth, but it needs a socket and a cord to look after.

Some pet heated beds are designed for continuous use, others only for limited periods, so follow the manufacturer's instructions. Beds with a thermostat that heat only when the cat lies on them are often the most convenient.

Warmth matters to kittens, but they do not always move away from too much heat yet. If you use a heated bed, heat only part of it, choose a low temperature and watch the kitten, and ask a vet for advice with very young kittens.

Pet heated beds are usually low-wattage, so they use little electricity. Beds with a thermostat or weight sensor that heat only while the cat lies on them are even more economical.

Warmth can ease stiffness and make rest more comfortable, so many older cats love heated beds. It does not replace treatment, though: discuss joint pain and its relief with a vet.

Friendly cats often sleep together, so a larger bed may suit them. Still, each cat should have its own resting spot too, as relationships change and a cat needs somewhere to retreat.

The usual advice is at least one bed or resting spot per cat, spread across different places and heights. This reduces competition and lets each cat choose where to rest.

Cats often pick the warmest, highest or safest spot, and a dominant cat claims it. Put several similar beds in different places so no cat is left without a comfortable spot.

If the animals get on, they sometimes sleep together, but the cat must have its own bed up high out of the dog's reach. Dog beds are often too big and cool for a cat, and the cat must be able to get away from the dog.

Prepare a quiet room with an enclosed bed or cave where the new cat can hide, and add something carrying the smell of its previous home if you have it. A safe hiding place helps a cat settle in faster.

Yes, a soft pad or thin bed in the carrier cushions movement and adds warmth, and a familiar scent calms the cat. Choose an absorbent, easily washed pad, as the cat may get anxious and have an accident on the way.

If the cat travels with you, its bed or blanket gives a familiar scent in the new place and helps it calm down sooner. Light, foldable beds or a simple blanket are handy for travel.

Pack the cat's bed or a blanket that smells of home — a familiar scent reduces stress in a new place. Do not wash it before leaving, so it keeps the scent of the cat and home.

Move the old bed unwashed and set it up in a quiet room in the new home along with the litter box and bowls. The familiar scent helps the cat feel safe sooner, and new beds are best introduced later.

In a car a cat is safest in a secured carrier with a soft, absorbent pad, not lying loose in a bed on the seat. Strap the carrier in with a seat belt and keep it out of direct sun and the air-conditioning stream.

It is time to replace a bed when the filling has flattened so the cat lies almost on the floor, the fabric is torn or odours no longer wash out. If the bed is still in good shape but the cat stopped using it, try a different spot first.

It depends on the materials, how often it is washed and whether the cat scratches or chews it. A sturdy bed with a removable cover and good filling often lasts several years, while cheaper soft beds may wear out sooner.

A used bed can be fine if it can be washed thoroughly at a high temperature and has no fleas or mould. Avoid non-washable caves and beds with thick filling, as smells and parasites can linger in them.

Not necessarily: what matters is that the bed suits the cat's sleeping habits, is the right size and is easy to clean. Many cats love a simple blanket or box most, so it is worth watching what your cat chooses first.