The Best Cat Beds

The best cat bed is one your cat will actually use: soft, warm, private and easy to wash. Our top pick is the K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed, a heated bed for cats who love warm spots. Below are five beds for different cats and budgets.

Our picks at a glance

• Best heated bed: K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed
• Best covered bed: Best Friends by Sheri Vegan Fur Meow Hut
• Best budget: FurHaven ThermaNAP Faux Fur Self-Warming Pet Bed Mat
• Best for senior cats: FurHaven NAP Oval Pet Bed Lounger
• Best for burrowers: FurHaven Snuggery Burrow Bed

The best cat beds

Best heated bed

Cat beds

K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed

Best for: Cats who love warm spots

This round bed has 6-inch foam walls and a removable 4-watt heater with a thermostat. K&H says the surface warms to about 102°F when your cat lies on it. It comes in 16-inch and 20-inch sizes. Skip it if you don’t have an outlet nearby.

• Pro: Removable 4-watt thermostat-controlled heater
• Pro: 6-inch foam walls hug your cat
• Pro: Fleece cover is machine washable
• Con: Needs an outlet nearby
• Con: Only two sizes

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Best covered bed

Cat beds

Best Friends by Sheri Vegan Fur Meow Hut

Best for: Cats who like to hide

A cat-ear shaped hideaway covered in faux fur. The cover gives your cat privacy and warmth, and the insert comes out for washing. The Jumbo size is listed for pets up to 20 lbs. Skip it if your cat doesn’t like closed-in spaces.

• Pro: Covered shape for privacy and warmth
• Pro: Removable insert, machine washable and dryer safe
• Pro: Water-resistant woven base
• Con: The Jumbo size is made for pets up to 20 lbs
• Con: Not open on all sides, so not ideal for cats who dislike enclosed spaces

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Best budget

Cat beds

FurHaven ThermaNAP Faux Fur Self-Warming Pet Bed Mat

Best for: Budget shoppers and travel

A thin mat that holds your cat’s body heat, so it needs no electricity. FurHaven lists it in small and large sizes, and it is machine washable. It is light enough to take with you. Skip it if your cat wants a bed with sides or deep cushioning.

• Pro: Self-warming with no electricity
• Pro: Thin and light enough to carry
• Pro: Machine washable
• Con: Flat mat with no sides
• Con: Offers less cushioning than a thick bed

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Best for senior cats

Cat beds

FurHaven NAP Oval Pet Bed Lounger

Best for: Older cats with sore joints

This oval bed has orthopedic foam walls and a cutout at the front so your cat can step in easily. FurHaven says it suits small, elderly and disabled pets. The cover is machine washable, but the foam core needs hand washing. It may be too plain for cats who want to hide.

• Pro: Orthopedic foam walls support back, hips and joints
• Pro: Front cutout for easy entry
• Pro: Zippered cover is machine washable
• Con: Foam core must be hand washed
• Con: Sold in several sizes, so check the size chart

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Best for burrowers

Cat beds

FurHaven Snuggery Burrow Bed

Best for: Cats who like to burrow

A round bed with an attached blanket that becomes a cave. You can choose orthopedic foam, memory foam or cooling gel foam. The cover is machine washable. Sizes start at 26 inches round, so a small cat may prefer a snugger bed.

• Pro: Attached blanket makes a burrow
• Pro: Choice of orthopedic, memory foam or cooling gel foam
• Pro: Removable cover is machine washable
• Con: Smallest size is a 26-inch round bed
• Con: The blanket cave needs shaping each time

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How to choose a cat bed

Cats Protection lists six things that make a bed appealing. Use them as a checklist.

Comfort and warmth

Pick something soft and cushioned, like a donut-style bed. Cats Protection says cats seek out warm spots, so warmth matters. Cornell Feline Health Center also advises keeping an older cat’s bed out of drafty areas.

Privacy and a good view

Covered or igloo-style beds help some cats feel secure. Cats Protection also says cats like a raised spot where they can watch what is going on. Beds with more than one way out feel safer to cats that like an escape route.

Easy cleaning

Cats Protection says cleaning matters, and that cats rotate their sleeping spots. Look for a machine-washable cover or insert. Wash the bed regularly, even if it seems unused.

Beds for older cats

Older cats may find it hard to jump or climb. Cornell suggests box steps, ramps or pet stairs with a non-slip covering for cats that can’t reach favorite spots. A low bed with an easy entry is a good fit.

Sizing

None of our sources give a size rule, so use each maker’s size chart. Check the bed’s width against how your cat sleeps, whether curled up or stretched out.

Safety tips

• Be careful with heat. Cornell warns that too much heat can be dangerous for cats with reduced mobility. Make sure a heated bed has a thermostat and that your cat can leave it easily.
• Follow the maker’s directions. Use the heater and cord only as the brand instructs, and check them for damage. If a cord looks chewed or worn, stop using it.
• Put the bed in a quiet place. Cats Protection suggests private areas away from disturbances.
• Make it smell familiar. Cats Protection suggests adding a familiar-scented item to a new bed.
• Keep it clean. Wash covers and inserts regularly using the care instructions.