You spend $60 on a plush, beautifully designed cat bed. You set it up in a perfect spot. Your cat sniffs it once, walks away, and falls asleep in a cardboard box.
Sound familiar?
Cats are notoriously particular sleepers; and choosing the wrong bed isn't just a waste of money, it means your cat is sleeping somewhere less comfortable, less safe, or less warm than they should be. The good news is that once you understand what cats actually look for in a sleeping space, choosing the right bed becomes a lot more straightforward.
This guide covers everything Australian cat owners need to know: the types of cat beds available, what cats prefer at different life stages, how to get the placement right, and how to encourage your cat to actually use the bed you buy.
Why Your Cat's Bed Actually Matters
Cats sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day. Some senior cats sleep up to 20 hours. That means your cat spends more than half their life in a sleeping spot; and where and how they sleep has a direct impact on their physical comfort, warmth regulation, and emotional well-being.
A good cat bed:
- Provides joint support (particularly important for older cats and larger breeds)
- Offers a sense of security and privacy; reducing stress and anxiety
- Keeps your cat warm during Australian winters, especially at night in cooler climates like Melbourne, Canberra, and the ACT
- Gives your cat their own space, which reduces territorial stress in multi-cat households
- Keeps cat hair contained to one spot rather than spread across your furniture
The right bed isn't a luxury — it's part of responsible cat ownership.
The 5 Main Types of Cat Beds (And Which Cats Suit Each)
1. Cat Cave Beds (Enclosed / Hooded Beds)
Cave beds have a full or partial enclosure — the cat crawls inside to sleep. They're modelled on the kind of tight, enclosed spaces cats naturally seek out in the wild (think: inside a hollow log, under a bush, in the back of a wardrobe).
Who they're best for:
- Anxious or easily stressed cats
- Cats in busy households with children or other pets
- Cats who prefer privacy and tend to hide
- Any cat that loves sleeping under blankets or inside cupboards
What to look for: A cave bed with a removable, washable inner cushion. Felted wool cave beds are popular and naturally temperature-regulating, though synthetic options are easier to machine-wash.
Australian context: In winter, cave beds retain warmth exceptionally well — particularly important for short-haired cats and kittens in southern Australia.
2. Nest / Donut Beds (Bolstered Round Beds)
These are round beds with raised, cushioned walls all the way around — like a nest or a donut. The raised edges give your cat something to rest their head and chin against, which many cats find deeply comforting.
Who they're best for:
- Cats who love to curl up tight
- Cats who rest their chin on surfaces when sleeping
- Multiple cats in one household (each cat gets their own "nest")
- Confident, sociable cats who don't need full enclosure
What to look for: Cats have scent glands under their chin, and they'll mark the raised edges of a nest bed. Choose a bed with a removable, machine-washable cover — you'll be washing it regularly.
3. Flat / Mat Beds (Cushion Beds)
Simple padded cushions or mats, usually rectangular or oval. No walls, no enclosure — just a soft, comfortable surface.
Who they're best for:
- Confident, relaxed cats who aren't anxious
- Older cats or large breeds who need orthopedic support and find it difficult to climb into enclosed beds
- Cats who like to stretch out fully when sleeping (rather than curling up)
- Warm-climate households where your cat doesn't need to conserve warmth
What to look for: Memory foam or orthopedic filling for older cats. Easy-clean fabric for any cat.
4. Raised / Hammock Beds
These beds sit on a frame, lifting your cat off the ground. They often attach to cat trees, window sills, or radiators, or sit on their own four legs.
Who they're best for:
- Cats who like to be elevated (most cats prefer a higher vantage point — it's instinctual)
- Cats who overheat easily in summer — airflow under the bed keeps them cooler
- Cats in warm Australian climates (Queensland, Northern Territory, coastal NSW)
What to look for: Sturdy frame with a weight rating that suits your cat. Many hammocks have a weight limit — check this for larger breeds like Maine Coons or Ragdolls.
5. Heated Cat Beds
Beds with a built-in heating element or self-warming material (usually a thermal mylar layer that reflects body heat back to the cat — no electricity required).
Who they're best for:
- Senior cats, especially those with arthritis
- Kittens who struggle to regulate body temperature
- Short-haired breeds (Siamese, Burmese, Devon Rex) who feel the cold more
- Cats in southern Australia during winter
- Cats recovering from illness or surgery
What to look for: Self-warming options are the safest and most energy-efficient — no cords, no overheating risk. If you choose an electrically heated bed, ensure it has an auto-shutoff and a thermostat.
What Do Cats Actually Look for in a Bed?
If you've tried multiple beds and your cat keeps rejecting them, it's usually one of these five reasons:
1. Security Over Softness
Softness matters, but security matters more. Cats are both predator and prey animals — even fully domestic indoor cats retain the instinct to find a sleeping spot where they feel protected. A bed that's out in the open, easily approached from all sides, with no visual cover, makes many cats feel exposed.
Fix: Place beds in corners, against walls, or under furniture. Add a light blanket draped over a nest bed for extra enclosure. Cave beds solve this problem by design.
2. Elevation
Most cats prefer to be up high. It gives them a better vantage point over their environment — again, a deeply ingrained survival instinct. A bed on the floor may simply be ignored in favour of a shelf, the top of the wardrobe, or your pillow.
Fix: Try a raised bed on a cat tree platform, or place a flat or nest bed on a piece of furniture at height rather than on the floor.
3. Warmth
Cats seek warmth — their preferred ambient temperature is higher than ours. A bed in a cold or draughty spot is likely to be ignored, particularly in winter.
Fix: Position beds in sunny spots (next to a window that gets morning sun is ideal) or in the warmest room in the house. In winter, a cave or self-warming bed dramatically increases uptake.
4. Familiar Scent
Cats navigate primarily by scent. A brand new bed smells like a factory and nothing like your cat — which makes it feel foreign and potentially unsafe. This is the number one reason cats ignore new beds in the first few days.
Fix: Place a worn t-shirt or small blanket your cat already uses inside the new bed. Rub the bed with your hands (transferring your scent, which your cat associates with safety). Don't wash a new bed before introducing it.
5. Size
A cat that curls up tight needs a nest or cave bed. A cat that stretches out fully needs a flat mat big enough that their whole body fits. If your cat hangs off the edges or can't fully curl inside an enclosed bed, they'll abandon it.
Fix: Observe your cat's natural sleeping position before you buy. Curler = enclosed bed. Stretcher = flat or larger nest bed.
Choosing a Cat Bed by Life Stage
Kittens (Under 12 Months)
Kittens need warmth above all else — they can't regulate their body temperature effectively until around 3–4 weeks of age, and they remain more cold-sensitive than adult cats throughout their first year.
A soft cave or nest bed with self-warming material is ideal. Choose a smaller size — kittens feel more secure in a cosy, snug space. Washability is non-negotiable; kittens are messy.
Adult Cats (1–7 Years)
Most adult cats will clearly show you what type of sleeper they are — curler, stretcher, or hider. Match the bed type to the behaviour. Focus on durability and washability for this life stage, as adult cats are the most active scratchers and kneaders.
Senior Cats (7+ Years)
As cats age, joint comfort becomes the priority. Arthritis is common in cats over 10, and many cats won't show obvious signs of pain — they'll simply sleep more and become less active.
Key features for senior cats:
- Low entry point — seniors shouldn't have to jump or climb into their bed
- Orthopedic or memory foam filling — supports joints under sustained body weight
- Warmth — older cats feel the cold more acutely; heated or cave beds are excellent
- Easy to clean — senior cats can be less meticulous about grooming and may have occasional accidents
Getting Placement Right
Even the best bed won't work in the wrong spot. Here's where to place a cat bed for maximum uptake:
✅ Corner of a room or against a wall — cats feel exposed in the middle of a room
✅ Elevated position — on a shelf, cat tree, or piece of furniture
✅ Near a sunny window — morning sun spots are a cat's favourite real estate
✅ Away from the litter tray — cats won't sleep near their toilet
✅ Away from noisy appliances — washing machines, dishwashers, loud TVs
✅ In a room the cat already likes — don't try to redirect them to a room they avoid
If you have multiple cats, provide one bed per cat plus one extra. Competition for sleeping spots is a common source of stress in multi-cat households.
How to Get Your Cat to Use Their New Bed
If your cat is ignoring the new bed, try these steps before giving up on it:
- Put your scent on it — sleep with a small blanket and place it inside the bed
- Add catnip — sprinkle a small amount on and around the bed to create positive association
- Use treats — place treats near, then inside the bed over several days
- Position it in their current favourite spot — if they sleep on the couch, place the bed there first, then gradually move it
- Cover a nest bed — drape a light throw over the top to increase the feeling of enclosure
- Give it time — most cats take 3–7 days to accept a new sleeping spot. Don't move it repeatedly.
What to Avoid When Buying a Cat Bed
❌ Non-removable covers — you need to wash this regularly
❌ Beds that are too small — your cat's whole body should fit comfortably
❌ Strong synthetic smells — heavily dyed or chemical-smelling beds will be rejected immediately
❌ Unsafe heating elements — avoid cheap electrically heated beds with no thermostat or auto-shutoff
❌ Flimsy frames on raised beds — if it wobbles, your cat won't trust it
The Bottom Line
There's no single "best cat bed" — the right bed depends on your cat's personality, age, sleeping style, and your home environment. But the formula is simpler than it looks:
- Anxious or shy cat → cave bed in a quiet, elevated corner
- Confident, sociable cat → nest or donut bed in the heart of the home
- Senior cat → low-entry orthopedic flat bed with warmth
- Kitten → small, snug cave or nest with self-warming material
- Hot climate → raised or hammock bed for airflow
- Cold climate → cave or self-warming nest bed
Get the type right, get the placement right, add your scent — and your cat will actually use it.
Browse Cat Beds at Paw Dingo
We stock a range of cat beds to suit every sleeping style, life stage, and Australian climate — all selected with your cat's comfort in mind.
Shop All Cat Beds — Cave, Nest, Orthopedic & More →
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