Training - What's the need? Some people are happy for their cats to sleep on their beds, sofa's, ironing pile or dirty washing basket and as long you don't mind picking up all the hair there's no problem.
Others might be concerned about tick and fleas being transferred to beds or breathing difficulties being made worse at night with cats sleeping in the same space as you.
It could just be that you've bought a new cat bed and you're cat is refusing to acknowledge it.
It's also nice for your cat to have a special space of their own, somewhere where they can go and know they won't be disturbed.
It doesn't matter what ever the reason you need your cat to sleep in their own cat bed because training them to do so is simple and easy to do.
Choosing a Cat Bed If you haven't already got a cat bed you'll need to buy one, but if your counting the pennies or just need a temporary bed, then a cardboard box with a folded towel will also work.
Before you do buy one, try to work out what it is that your cats loves sleeping in the place they sleep now, do you like to be covered so crawl under the duvet, do they sleep off the ground, do they like a lot of padding underneath them? These questions will help you discover whether they would prefer a covered cat bed, whether raised cat bed would be appreciated and decide how important cushion thickness is.
Also think about the location of where your cat likes to sleep as this will be the same place you put the cat bed.
Location of where they sleep is important to them, they will often choose location over other factors such as warmth and comfort.
So if this location is somewhere that you will often see, it's important that the bed is a style that suits you and fits with the rest of your décor.
How do you get them to sleep in their new cat bed There are a few things you can do to make their new bed more appealing to your cat, firstly make it smell more like home.
Whether the cat bed has come from a shop or a warehouse it is going to smell unfamiliar to them, so it's not going to be appealing for them to sleep in.
Add something from your home that smells like you such as your clothes or towels.
Also add in your cats toys.
Because your cat has previously chewed these toys they've got their scent on them.
Another reason for doing this is that if they want to play with them they will have to acknowledge the new bed.
If these things alone don't get your cat to investigate the bed within 24 hours then make it their new sleeping place irresistible to them.
Cat's are observant creatures, if you go and faff with the bed, they'll want to know what it is, if you're lucky they've venture over to it to inspect.
If you can get your cat to interact with the bed give them lots of positive reinforcement such as affection, soothing words and treats.
If they're still ignoring the bed, go stand with it and call your cat over, spend time petting your cat while you're both near the bed.
If your cat has a favourite small toy roll it around the cat bed to encourage your cat to climb in and see what it feels like under their paws.
If your cat is affected by catnip you can spray the bed lightly with a catnip to make the area seem more attractive.
It's important that you find the right location for the bed, make it smell like you and them and introduce them to it without any pressure at all.
Others might be concerned about tick and fleas being transferred to beds or breathing difficulties being made worse at night with cats sleeping in the same space as you.
It could just be that you've bought a new cat bed and you're cat is refusing to acknowledge it.
It's also nice for your cat to have a special space of their own, somewhere where they can go and know they won't be disturbed.
It doesn't matter what ever the reason you need your cat to sleep in their own cat bed because training them to do so is simple and easy to do.
Choosing a Cat Bed If you haven't already got a cat bed you'll need to buy one, but if your counting the pennies or just need a temporary bed, then a cardboard box with a folded towel will also work.
Before you do buy one, try to work out what it is that your cats loves sleeping in the place they sleep now, do you like to be covered so crawl under the duvet, do they sleep off the ground, do they like a lot of padding underneath them? These questions will help you discover whether they would prefer a covered cat bed, whether raised cat bed would be appreciated and decide how important cushion thickness is.
Also think about the location of where your cat likes to sleep as this will be the same place you put the cat bed.
Location of where they sleep is important to them, they will often choose location over other factors such as warmth and comfort.
So if this location is somewhere that you will often see, it's important that the bed is a style that suits you and fits with the rest of your décor.
How do you get them to sleep in their new cat bed There are a few things you can do to make their new bed more appealing to your cat, firstly make it smell more like home.
Whether the cat bed has come from a shop or a warehouse it is going to smell unfamiliar to them, so it's not going to be appealing for them to sleep in.
Add something from your home that smells like you such as your clothes or towels.
Also add in your cats toys.
Because your cat has previously chewed these toys they've got their scent on them.
Another reason for doing this is that if they want to play with them they will have to acknowledge the new bed.
If these things alone don't get your cat to investigate the bed within 24 hours then make it their new sleeping place irresistible to them.
Cat's are observant creatures, if you go and faff with the bed, they'll want to know what it is, if you're lucky they've venture over to it to inspect.
If you can get your cat to interact with the bed give them lots of positive reinforcement such as affection, soothing words and treats.
If they're still ignoring the bed, go stand with it and call your cat over, spend time petting your cat while you're both near the bed.
If your cat has a favourite small toy roll it around the cat bed to encourage your cat to climb in and see what it feels like under their paws.
If your cat is affected by catnip you can spray the bed lightly with a catnip to make the area seem more attractive.
It's important that you find the right location for the bed, make it smell like you and them and introduce them to it without any pressure at all.