Cat Beds Facts that Won't Put You to Sleep

When I think of Garfield the cat, I see him in my mind's eye with his eyes half shut. You know that look, the sleepyhead Garfield, who wants nothing more than to find a comfortable warm spot and enjoy a good long cat nap.

It isn't just Garfield, you know. Cats really are sleepy heads! Here are some interesting facts about cat sleep:

1. Cats sleep an average of 15 hours a day. Anything between 12 and 18 hours is perfectly fine in the cat world.
2. Cats are nocturnal predators by nature. That means many of them prefer to sleep more during the day, especially if there is no one around and nothing to stimulate them into staying active. Those cats may get more active during night time.
3. Cats love napping. A lot of their sleeping time can be spent drowsing in a not too deep state of sleep. The slightest sound or movement can wake them up instantly.

So, now that you know that your cat is a sleep addict, you want to spoil your cat with a nice plush cat bed? Keep in mind, that cats are free spirits - you can offer them the most expensive luxurious cat bed, but they may still opt to sleep on your bed, or nap on their favorite sunny windowsill.

In fact, cats are notorious for sharing beds with their humans. If you live with a feline bedmate, you know all too well that size doesn't matter in this case. Just because she weighs 5 pounds does not mean Kitty won't take up more than half the bed. And don't get me start on where on the bed cats prefer to sleep... let's just say this, whether the most comfortable spot is just on the human belly, under a knee or balled next to a warm neck, it's quite amazing how quickly our cats train us not to move in our sleep...

But, if you want to try and convince Kitty to move out into her own bed, here are some tips on how to choose and create that purrfect cat bed:

1. Cats need to feel secure and some cats prefer a more sheltered cat bed, possibly one with a tent or some other form of a "cave". In a multi-cat household where you are dealing with hostile feline rivals, cats may avoid "closed" beds so as not to get trapped inside when their adversary walks over.
2. Cats love warmth, so keep temperature in mind. For cold winter days and nights, consider an extra warm bed, plush and enveloping. You may even consider using a cat heating pad for your cat's bed - a special treat for cats who live outdoors on the porch! However, keep the weather in mind during summer days as well, and if necessary, offer a cooler open pet bed.
3. Location, location, location - like real estate, location can make or break a bed. You may need to try several locations, to see which one your cat prefers. Some cats may prefer the privacy of your bedroom, while others may prefer to nap in the busier areas or your home. Think allevation too - the higher the cat bed is, the more secure it feels to your cat.
4. Style - well, ok, this one probably doesn't matter that much to your cat, but it can matter to you, especially if you want to put your cat bed in a more public area of the house. The good news is that cat beds come in a huge variety of designs, shapes, colors and textures. Check out the Amazon links below for some some ideas or browse the list of cat beds manufacturers on Meowhoo.com