Cat prepared for sleeping and makes bed

To pick a bed they’ll love, take a good look at the places where your cat likes to sleep. If they are burrowing into a pile of blankets, a full-surround bed—like a padded tunnel or cat cave—could be the right choice. If they like to stretch out on your sofa or bed, a plush sleeping pad might work better. Some cats will seek out ways to have their heads and necks cushioned—they’d do best with a bolstered bed.

Keep in mind that your cat’s taste in sleeping arrangements may change as they age. Also, if your cat is Siamese or Birman, you may need to pass on a pretty wool bed; those breeds have a tendency to chew on, and even eat, wool.

Whatever style cat bed you choose, be sure to get one that’s large enough. Pet parents might love the neat and tidy look of a little cat bed, but your cat may find it too cramped. When our cats’ bolster-style beds started looking shabby, I replaced them with similar beds, just slightly smaller. Oops! Our big Siberian, Max, was miserable without enough room to get comfortable. (I hunted down one of the original beds, and he stopped glaring at me.) Also, with a large cat bed available, some cats in a multi-cat household will immediately decide to share—which is a great space-saver in itself.

Once you’ve figured out the size and style that works for your cat, be sure the bed meets your needs as well. It should be easy to clean so if there’s a hairball incident or a flea infestation, you can toss the bed into the washer and dryer. And it doesn’t have to be frumpy or boring—there are some beautiful contemporary beds out there. Tip: If you have multiple cats, check out some of the stacked cat beds and cat trees where you can have a cat sleeping on each level.