Why Your Cat Isn't Sleeping In The Bed You Bought For It

If you earned a quarter for every time your cat did something odd, you'd probably be $100 richer. For instance, cats "make biscuits" (aka knead) on soft surfaces, including human laps and backs, and they sleep in weird positions or in strange things like cardboard boxes. Perhaps witnessing the latter prompted you to buy your cat a bed, only to find it abandoned a week later — a classic bed fail that proves cats do what they want. No, it didn't stop sleeping on it because it disliked the bed's design or hanging toy. Rather, cats rotate their sleeping spots regardless of their comfort levels because of their instincts.

This rotation means your feline friend could sleep in that adorable pineapple-shaped cave you just bought every few weeks, depending on how many other options it has around the house. Even if a cat has never lived outdoors, domesticated cats retain several instincts inherited from their wild cat ancestors. This includes changing where they sleep, which wild cats do as a means of protection from predators.

Many cats have no objections to napping in clothing drawers, shoe boxes, bathroom sinks, and other seemingly uncomfortable places. There's usually no harm in this bed-rotating behavior, but there are ways you can make a store-bought bed more appealing — and maybe even your cat's favorite sleeping spot.

Although cats share many similarities, they have many differences as well, even within the same litter. A male cat might enjoy napping on top of the refrigerator, while his sister would prefer a much lower location on a window perch. Consider where your cat prefers to sleep before attempting to alter its bed. You can add a blanket, sprinkle some catnip on it, or simply change its location to encourage your trusty feline to spend more time in its bed.

If you have multiple throw blankets with varying textures in your home, place two or three of them side-by-side on the floor. Cats are curious by nature, so within a day or two, yours will likely explore the blankets and pick one to lie on. After its nap, take the blanket and place it on the cat's bed to provide familiarity and an extra layer of comfort. Adding catnip to the blanket, or in place of the blanket, might also make the bed more enticing, as it causes a euphoric response when inhaled.

Location is another factor to consider with your cat's bed. Does your cat like to hang out by the window, or does it prefer a more hidden area, like under the dining table? Move the bed in or near the place where it's already spending time. Or, you can move the bed around the house every few days to try to match its rotating behavior. Your cat just might appreciate a bed that follows it around!