Cats are territorial animals that spend two-thirds of their time sleeping, so caring owners often wonder how many beds each cat should have.
The short answer is “at least one,” but it isn’t always sufficient.
Some cats might need more beds – for example, if they like changing sleeping spots or if you have a very big house.
If you have multiple cats, a personal sleeping place for each cat is crucial to prevent territorial aggression and ensure the mental well-being of your pets.
Cats enjoy privacy. Even if your cat likes spending time with you and finds your bed comfortable, it needs a safe, quiet area away from everyone.
At Least One Bed per Cat
Each cat should have a bed, whether it lives alone or in a multi-cat household. Even if your cat prefers to spend most of its time on the couch or in your bed, it should have its private space for when it wants to be alone.
Cats are territorial animals that only feel secure in familiar environments. They have tiny scent glands in their paws and face that release pheromones when they rub against something, marking the territory.
Cats heavily rely on the sense of smell, so your cat should have a bed that doesn’t smell of people or other pets, where it can wind off and relieve anxiety.
The cat bed should be in a low-traffic area because cats are introverted animals that love silence. Even if your cat prefers human company, it needs some alone time away from everyone.
Plus, cats don’t like to be disturbed when they sleep. Your cat can get irritated if you constantly sit and stand up from your couch while it sleeps.
The best cat bed is soft and warm. The feline body temperature is higher than ours, so cats often feel cold at room temperature and appreciate fuzzy beds that hug their body, providing the feeling of contentment.
A soft, warm bed is especially important for senior cats with joint problems and other felines in pain. Heat relieves pain and body tension, improving the cat’s overall physical and mental well-being.
Cats also like routine. They want to be fed at the same time and sleep in the same place. A chaotic lifestyle can be distressing for a cat, so your pet should always have a comfortable spot instead of searching the house for one.
Lastly, cleaning becomes much easier when your cat has its bed because it collects most fur and litter pellets.
The Cat’s Favorite Spots
One bed per cat is the absolute minimum, but your cat won’t mind having more beds. Frankly, your furry friend cannot have too many sleeping spots.
To determine how many beds your cat needs to be truly happy, note your pet’s favorite resting spots. Consider whether your cat always sleeps in one place or favors several areas in the house.
For example, your cat might usually sleep on the couch but also spend a lot of time resting on the windowsill, fridge, and balcony.
You might want to get a bed for each of your cat’s favorite resting areas to maximize the comfort. Even if your cat doesn’t sleep but watches the birds behind the window, it will appreciate something warm and fuzzy to lie on.
Owners of multiple cats often have a dozen beds around the house for their pets to rest wherever they like.
Although cats like a routine, they have their minds and sometimes fancy novelty. Plus, cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment that you may deem insignificant.
For instance, your cat’s current sleeping spot might be comfortable on sunny days but too cold in chilly weather. Or your cat might like to sleep in your room during the day but not at night.
In these scenarios, your cat could benefit from two or more beds to accommodate different situations.
The Cat’s Sleeping Habits
Consider also your cat’s sleeping habits. Some cats prefer to sleep with their owners and spend most of their day playing or wandering around the house. Such cats don’t need many beds, but they still should have at least one.
Other cats prefer sleeping alone in their personal space that no one else enters. Some felines have a somewhat chaotic sleeping pattern and like to sleep in different places every night.
Can Cats Share Beds?
Figuring out how many beds each act needs in a single-cat household is straightforward. However, determining the number of beds for two, three, or more cats is trickier.
As a rule of thumb, allow at least one bed per cat. If you have two cats, get at least two beds; if you have five cats, get at least five beds.
Cats are territorial animals that can’t stand sharing resources, whether litter box, food, or bed. Sharing can cause severe stress to your pets and worsen their relationship.
Often, resource sharing even leads to territorial aggression. If you don’t want your cats to fight over a bed, ensure each one has its safe sleeping spot.
Some cat owners think their pets are an exception because they are friends and like to sleep cuddled up together.
This could be true – cats can get along well and even form strong bonds, genuinely suffering when separated. Cats often share the bed as they nap during the day but sleep alone at night.
Kittens, fixed cats, and cats of different sexes are more likely to share their bed without aggression than intact cats of the same sex. However, every cat can sometimes not feel like interacting with anyone.
When a cat feels sick, stressed, or anxious, it becomes territorial and wants to be alone. If another cat approaches it at the wrong moment, they can begin a fight.
Personal space is crucial for pregnant felines or young mothers because they can get overly protective. If all your cats favor the same area, get a cat tree with multiple condos.
Do Cats Claim Their Beds?
Cats don’t like sharing beds, but do cats claim their beds, or do they just take up whichever bed is free? After all, cats rub their beds with pheromones, making the territory.
The answer depends. Some cats are extremely territorial and claim things as their own, becoming jealous when another cat or owner approaches them.
A territorial cat can attack another pet if it attempts to sleep in its bed. In such cases, owners must ensure that each pet sleeps in its assigned spot to prevent conflict aggravation.
However, cats use pheromones to recognize other felines from their social group. Familiar smells make them feel secure and content.
If cats within a household generally get along, they are unlikely to claim their sleeping spots and become aggressive when someone approaches their belongings.
Cats in multi-cat households typically don’t mind rotating beds, provided that they sleep alone. It’s not that they want to have a bed that belongs solely to them but that they are advocates of social distancing.
If your cat doesn’t like other cats sleeping in its bed, you should seek the root of the conflict. Consider whether your pets feel safe and confident in their home.
Often, territorial aggression in cats is caused by mating competition, maternal instinct, anxiety, or stress caused by a change in the environment, pain, or loss of a loved one.
Content and calm cats don’t mind another cat using their scratching post, litter box, toy, or bed, although cats might pick their favorite areas and things.
The Bed Placement
The cat bed placement is equally important as the number of beds. It’s better to have one cat bed located in a perfect spot than several beds randomly scattered around the house.
The perfect cat sleeping area should be enclosed, private, warm, quiet, and far enough from litter box and food. You want to find a low-traffic area in your home.
You likely wouldn’t like to sleep and listen to children running or the door constantly opening and closing. Your cat, too, needs a place where it won’t be disturbed by loud noises and movement.
Don’t place your cat’s bed in the middle of the living room, kitchen, hallway, or near the kids’ room. It shouldn’t be located too close to doors and windows because cats don’t like a chilly breeze.
If floors in your house are cold, find an elevated spot or buy a bed with a thick bottom. Keeping these factors in mind, consider where your cat prefers to sleep now.
For example, if your cat likes to sleep in your bed, you can place its condo near the radiator in your room. Or, if your cat usually sleeps on the couch, place its bed on the carpet in the living room.
If you have multiple cats and limited areas that comply with the requirements, get a cat tree with several condos. This way, each cat has a bed in the same area.
If you have a large house, get a bed for every floor. Even better if you can get a bed for every room apart from the kitchen, kid’s room, bathroom, and your office (unless you don’t mind your furry friend helping).