How To Get Your Cat To Actually USE Their Cat Bed February 25 2022, 17 Comments
If you're a cat owner, this is probably an all-too-familiar scenario: You want to spoil your kitty with a bed as comfortable as your own (and get that eyesore of a cardboard box out of your living room). You anxiously await the delivery. And when you finally plop the cat bed down in front of your persnickety feline, all you get is a curious sniff and then it's back to their favorite cardboard box.
But it doesn't have to be that way! With a few tips and tricks (and seeing things from your cat's perspective,) you can get your cat to finally use that bed you bought.
Make the Bed Appealing
Lure your picky feline to the bed by sprinkling it with their favorite treats or a bit of fresh catnip. Catnip is a great way to trigger your cat's interest in something new and encourage them to play and roll around in the bed. And, as an added bonus - cats tend to curl up and take a nap after their catnip "high" ends, and they're more likely to choose the new bed!
Once your kitty willingly steps into the bed, hold a treat up until he sits down. Give him the treat and some praise as soon as he does. Don't force your cat to sit or lie down in the bed if it doesn't want to, as this can cause negative associations with the bed. Leave a sprinkling of his favorite treats to entice your kitty to come back later.
Many cats are also comforted by their own scent, as well as the scent of their owners. Try leaving an old T-shirt that you've worn in the bed, or a blanket that your cat is especially fond of cuddling up to.
Location, Location, Location
Place your kitty's bed in a spot where he already likes to sleep so he'll be more likely to use it.
Via OreoPuffKitty, Instagram
- For kitties who like to sleep high up or in elevated spots, try placing the bed on a piece of furniture, like a bookshelf or windowsill, or on the tier of a cat tree, as demonstrated above with our Fruit Tart Cat Bed!
- Choose a quiet, low-traffic area away from noise and other pets. Putting the bed up high can help keep your cat away from dogs and toddlers.
- A lot of cats like sleeping in warm, sunny spots, so place the bed in an area of your home that gets a lot of sun during the day.
Choose the Right Bed
Pizza Cat Bed
When it comes to picking the right bed for your cat, pay attention to where and how your cat likes to sleep to help determine which bed they might prefer to cuddle up in.
- If your cat likes to stretch out when she sleeps, choose a bed large enough to allow her to stretch as far as she wants - consider a flat, rectangular bed with lower sides so they can easily stretch out.
- If your cat prefers to sleep in "safer" more protected areas, like under your bed or tucked away in your closet, choose a hooded, cave-like bed or a bed with higher sides.
- If you have a senior kitty, a heated cat bed (or self-warming cat bed) may appeal to older cats who tend to suffer from discomforting arthritis.
- Cats that like to sleep curled in a ball may like a rounder, softer bed to snuggle in with raised sides to help hold in their body heat.
Make Other Spots Undesirable
If your kitty is sleeping on your laundry, bed or other furniture and you'd prefer not to have cat hair on your fresh laundry, make those spots undesirable for the cat using harmless deterrents so they'll be more likely to prefer sleeping in his own bed.
- Cover the spots with aluminum foil or upside-down plastic carpet runners.
- Spray the areas you don't want your cat to sleep in or scratch with natural citrus spray made from orange and lemon peels and water, or apple cider vinegar and water, which cats don't like the smell of and tend to avoid. They are natural and non-toxic to cats and humans. Be sure not to use essential oils, as certain types are known to be toxic to cats. And never spray your cat directly.
- Block your cat's access to "forbidden" sleeping spots with physical barriers like pet gates, or close the door to any rooms you don't want your cat to access.
Of course, there are no guarantees in life (especially when it comes to cats), but these tips should help ensure your kitty gets sweet dreams in their new bed!
Comments
Shez on April 05 2022 at 04:20PM
Make your own citrus spray. Orange/lemon peel in water. The article doesn’t suggest citrus oils as essential oils are toxic, therefore dangerous to cats and other pets.
Anonymous on March 25 2022 at 03:12AM
My cat doesn’t like her bed no matter what I do. I tried everything, including your instructions. She simply doesn’t give a damn. As if she can’t even see it ___
Kayden on January 10 2022 at 02:05AM
Every night I put a treat in my cats bed and let her find It and once a week or so I’ll put catnip in there she just layer down in it very exciting! And she’s out 😂
Louise Anderson on January 03 2022 at 05:12PM
Ive found a hack with my cats.
I sleep on their cat bed or use a blanket i intended to use on their bed so it smells like me.. then they “steal” it.
Works wonders
Barbara perry on August 14 2021 at 05:30AM
Having brought a dog and cat back from abroad 8 years ago, together, by road which took 7 days, they obviously have a bond but it is mostly from cat to dog, she gets on the dog’s nerves and keeps getting in the dog’s large bed and the dog gets out! I keep buying another cat bed to no avail. She did use one for a while and even when I put cat nip in it she still gets in with the dog and she gets out!!! Help please.
Meowingtons on June 21 2021 at 09:34AM
Thank you for your concerned comments regarding the citrus oils. We have edited the article to be more clear surrounding citrus oils.
Concerned 2.0 on June 18 2021 at 06:43PM
Essential oils are TOXIC to cats! Do not use them as deterrents or even for human benefit if you have a cat. It may not be immediately noticeable, but all essential oils can cause severe illness in cats. Do your research before posting misleading information that could cause harm to animals!
A Curious Cat Owner on February 15 2021 at 06:07PM
We Bought Our Tom a Dog Bed as He is a Rather Large Cat Who Likes to Spread Out and Like Having a Side to Lean on … He Used it a Couple of Times and Now He Has Stopped – We have tried Moving It To All His Favourite Spots – NOTHING!!
HELP PLEASE!!!
I ain’t giving you my name on January 25 2021 at 05:56PM
In the section about picking the right cat bed, I realized that my cat needs a cave-like bed but we got him a pizza bed that is just a soft, realistic piece of pizza. So how can I train my cat to use it even though it is not right for him. 🍕🐈🛌
Nan Dishmon on December 30 2020 at 10:52AM
What kind of citrus oil spray would you recommend for cats to stay off certain places? Thank you 😊
Thomas Clarence on October 15 2020 at 03:36PM
It was really helpful when you explained that it is a good idea to get a large bed if you have a cat that likes to stretch. My wife and I would like to get a cushion for our cat to use so that she will stop trying to sleep in our bed at night. These tips you shared will help me find a cushioned mat that is a perfect size for our pet. https://doggiedigsandcatnaps.com/t/medium-flat-pet-mats—-finished-measurements-34-12-l-x-29-18-w
Tony Manfredonia on July 13 2020 at 07:17PM
What does it mean when our cat loved a cat bed and slept in it for months, but now refuses to go into it? Why would she seemingly randomly change her mind? It was her favorite sleeping spot for so long. Now she hates it :(
If anyone has any thoughts, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Alfie Baker on May 27 2020 at 12:25PM
Thanks for the review, it really helps us a lot to find the perfect pet bed for a cat I adopted in last week hope she like it.
Concerned on April 07 2020 at 04:18PM
Spray the areas you don’t want your cat to sleep in with citrus oils, which cats don’t like. - are you trying to murder cats?
Christi Fox on October 15 2019 at 02:44AM
Love that fruit tart bed! I just took in a 10-week old kitten who likes just sleeping balled up in the middle of the living room or up against her scratching post. I think since she does like to curl up, I’m going to get the fruit tart bed to try!
Do Owners ever line cat beds with one of their shirts so it smells like them to their kitty? Kinda like a lure?
Alex Fairbairn on August 01 2019 at 01:36PM
This thing happened with me when i buy cat beds in australia. As a beginner in this case, i don’t know about the tips and tricks related to the cat beds. but after doing research on internet, i found out some amazing post including your post, it will definitely help me. Keep write stuff related to cats and share with us!
Monica Manø on April 14 2019 at 02:50AM
Make touse the bed: Se
Make Other Spots Undesirable – He
😁😁