Cat beds are can come in many decorative shapes and colors. Jungle pattern velvet or hot pink frills, these beds are often fashion statements more than anything else, leaving cat owners disappointed when their precious feline declines the expensive cat bed and goes napping someplace else. And with a cat, napping is more than just a nap too, as felines can spend up to 18 hours a day sound asleep.
When shopping for a cat bed, it's important to look beyond the color and how well the cat bed fits into your room decor. You should always look for the following qualities -
Size of a Cat Bed
Make sure the bed is large enough for your cat. Some cats are large than others and may require a size closer to that of a dog. Also, if you have two or more cats that love snuggling up to each other when sleeping, an extra large pet bed may be a good idea. For some cats, the idea of sleeping too close to another feline is unthinkable, so don't expect to crowd in more than one cat into a single bed, unless they're used to sleeping alongside each other.
Softness and Texture
Most cats prefer a soft surface to curl up into when they take their nap. Softer is often better, and some cat beds offer extra thick mattresses for that reason.
Structure of a Cat Bed
Your cat needs to feel safe when going to bed. Many cat beds come with an enclosed space above the mattress, which could be suitable for some cats. Another option if a donut shaped bed, with a raised area around the sleeping cushion. Depending on how high above the floor you position your cat bed, an open donut might be a better alternative for some cats. As with anything else, individual cats may have their own unique preferences.
The Temperature
Cats prefer warm places most time of the year, which is why most cat beds come with plush warm covers. Some of them even include heating pads, microwavable or electricity driven, for therapeutic heating qualities. These can work wonders for aging cats or those prone to arthritis. Keep in mind that during summer months, in hot areas, a cat bed can get too warm. Your cat will usually let you know when that is the case, by opting to sleep in cooler places.
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Anne Moss is a cat behaviorist and a member of the Cat Writers Association. She is the owner and editor of Meowhoo.com Cat Directory, where you can find the best places to shop for cat beds. For questions or comments, feel free to reach Anne through the Cat Forums, where thousands of cat lovers join to discuss cats and cat care.
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