Your cat tends to sleep wherever the urge hits him, as long as that place happens to be warm and comfortable. Most cats manage to cram in enough short catnaps to add up to eighteen hours every day. But if your cat is alone at home during the day while you're at work, he may spend all day sleeping just so he can devote his waking hours to you when you return. And then, of course, he'll insist on having your attention.

If you leave a piece of clothing lying on a bed or chair, you may return to find your cat comfortably snuggled up on it because he will be attracted to your scent. If there are some areas you'd prefer your cat not to consider one of several beds he may freely lounge on, giving him his own personal bed may help.

Before purchasing any type of cat bed, bear in mind that the best bed and bedding must be warm and comfortable, protect the cat from drafts, and afford some kind of privacy. Make sure the bed is large enough to fit your cat while he's stretched out when he's full-grown.

Cat beds come in many shapes and types. They can include anything from a cardboard box or laundry basket to commercially manufactured baskets, plastic/fiberglass molds with cushions, bean bags, hammocks, or cloth-covered pads. Use the bed list below to help you choose the type of bed that will work best for your cat.

Cardboard Box

• Easy to obtain and replace.
• Provides excellent protection against drafts; especially good as "birthing" bed and for cats nursing kittens.
• Unattractive; must be replaced frequently.
• Avoid boxes with colored print, as the ink could be toxic. This is very important if your cat tends to chew on the box.

Basket

• Usually made of wicker or a similar material.
• Visually attractive.
• Can be difficult to keep clean; will wear more quickly; offers only moderate protection from drafts.
• Your cat may chew on the basket or use it for claw sharpening.

Plastic or Fiberglass Mold

• Molded cat beds come in a wide variety of styles; some are available with heaters.
• Very easy to wash and keep clean; visually attractive; good protection from drafts.
• You must add bedding material for warmth and comfort.
• Be cautious of any exposed sharp edges.

Bean Bag

• Usually a circular bag shape, made of fabric, filled with polystyrene beads.
• Very warm; your cat can work it into whatever "nest" shape pleases him; moderate protection from drafts.
• Must be laundered when soiled, will wear more quickly than plastic; if it gets torn you'll have tiny polystyrene beads
• scattered everywhere.
• Be sure the filling material is safe.

Hammock

• Consists of a fabric-covered pad suspended in a frame.
• Very warm; elevates the bed off the floor, which many cats prefer; moderate protection from drafts.
• Must be laundered when soiled; not as durable as plastic.
• Not good for kittens because of difficulty getting in and possibility of falling out.

Pad

• Usually matting or foam covered with fabric.
• Inexpensive and highly portable; good for protecting the upholstery on a chair where your cat insists on sleeping.
• Little or no protection from drafts; must be laundered when soiled; not as durable as plastic.
• Be sure the filling material is safe.

A heating pad is a good supplement to your cat's bed and bedding. If you are preparing a bed for nursing cats, kittens or cats who are ill, you should pay very close attention to providing adequate warmth and eliminating drafts. You can provide additional warmth by using an electric heating pad (or a hot water bottle if a heating pad is not currently available), but be sure to protect your cat against burns by covering it with several layers of bedding material. You should use a heating pad only in a bed that is large enough to allow you to place the heating pad at one end. There should be enough room at the other end for the cat to move if the heat becomes too intense. And you should not use a heating pad if your cat is immobile for any reason, including illness or infirmity.