Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Lifestyle

Where Should Cats Sleep at Night? 7 Vet-Approved Tips & Advice

By Adam Mann · Reviewed & fact-checked by Dr. Maja PlatisaVet Approved
Dr. Maja Platisa
Reviewed & Fact-Checked byDr. Maja PlatisaDVM MRCVS (Veterinarian)
Maja joined our team in March 2023 as one of our in-house veterinarians. She is passionate about animals and their health and loves to help the readers with any issues or questions they have regarding their four-legged friends and other animal companions. Her passion is small animal medicine and emergency work, while she also has a great interest in animal welfare.View authorThe information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Read about our vets
Share
cat sleeping

While cats are mostly crepuscular, many of our furry companions like to match our schedules to spend more time with us. If that sounds like your cat, where should they sleep? And what are some tips you should follow?

We’ve highlighted some tips for setting up their sleeping area for you below.

divider 2 cats

Top 7 Tips for Setting Up a Cat Sleeping Area

If you’re trying to find the perfect area for your cat to sleep at night, there are a few things you can do to help them out. We’ve highlighted seven great tips you can follow to help your cat get a little more sleep.

1. Set Them Up High

Cats love high perches, so if you’re trying to set them up with an area to sleep at night, you’ll want to add some height. Find some spaces up high throughout your home and see if you can set their beds there. This can be with a tall cat tower, or you can make use of other higher elements in your home.

Photo Credit by: Ellie Burnett, Shutterstock

2. Give Them Options

Cats like having different areas to sleep in, so if you only set them up with one area to go to bed, you’ll find them sleeping in other areas all the time. But if you can set them up with several options, they’ll be more likely to choose one of them to use.


3. Consider a Cat Bed

While you don’t need a cat bed, and your cat might not use one, having one or two strategically placed in your home is a good idea. Cats love insulated and soft spaces, so if you put the bed in an area they like, they should use it.

Our Favorite Cat Bed

Our recommendation
Hepper Cat Nest Bed
Hepper Cat Nest Bed
  • COMFY KITTY - Your cat or kitten will have an amazingly deep sleep in this self warming, nesting cat bed. The warm, fluffy cat bed lining provides calming stress relief for cats of all ages.
  • PRETTY HOME - This round cat bed has a modern and unique design that’s perfect for a sleek indoor look. We don’t think of it as cat furniture but think of the Cat Nest as a “cat home”.
  • SPACE SAVER - Reclaim your desk, window sill, or couch from kitten encroachment. This calming nest cat bed has an elevated, space-saving hideout so comfortable your kitty can't resist!

Cats sleep away the majority of the day, so finding a bed that's supportive, warm, and secure is key. Most cats find the modern design of the Hepper Nest Bed irresistible, making it a practical option if you're looking for a rest spot your cat will use consistently. It's supportive and caters to felines of all ages, sizes, and ailments. The portability means that your cat can nap wherever you go — your desk, couch, side table, or even your bed. Learn more about the heavenly Nest here.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!


4. Find Low Traffic Areas

When cats are sleeping, they don’t like people constantly waking them up, and if people do, they will try and find a different place to sleep. So, if you have a quiet area where you can set their beds up, it’s more likely that they’ll come back to use it again.


5. Give Them a View

Cats like watching the world around them, and sometimes they’ll laze around before they fall asleep. If you give them something to look at and enjoy before they fall asleep, they’ll be more likely to use that bed again in the future.

Photo Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

6. Make It Comfortable

Everyone wants a comfy place to sleep, and your cat is no exception. Give them a soft place with plenty of insulation and try to keep it away from drafts. The more comfortable you make it for them, the more likely it is that they’ll come back and use it again.


7. Give Them Hiding Spots

Some cats can be a bit timid, and when they’re trying to sleep, they can feel especially exposed. Giving your cat a few hiding spots where they can cuddle up and go to sleep and not feel like they’re on full display makes it more likely that they’ll use that spot.

Photo Credit: Bairyna, Pixabay
divider 2 cats

Should Cats Sleep in Your Bed?

Cats are social creatures, and you might find they want to sleep in your bed. If that’s the case, there are pros and cons to letting them sleep in your bed. There are emotional perks to letting your cat sleep in your bed, including an increased sense of security and emotional well-being.

However, there are also potential risks involved, such as accidental scratches and ingestion or inhalation of cat hair, particularly in susceptible or immunocompromised individuals or those suffering from cat allergies. It’s up to you to balance the potential pros and cons and make the best decision for you and your cat!

divider 2 cats

Final Thoughts

Now that you know a little more about how and where you should set up sleeping areas for your cats, all that’s left is for you to do it! Remember that they need multiple locations, so set up a few different areas for your cat and let them pick their favorites.

When you do, let them pick their favorites and then leave them to it at night!

Sources

Featured Image Credit: KatinkavomWolfenmond, Pixabay

The Catster Newsletter

Expert cat care, straight to your inbox

News, insights, and useful advice, delivered to you.

No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)

Adam Mann
Authored by

Adam Mann

Leave a Reply

You're very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let's have a positive and constructive conversation.

Where Do I Put My Cat's Bed? 5 Vet-Approved Ideal Spots

Where Do I Put My Cat's Bed? 5 Vet-Approved Ideal Spots

Cats are drawn to all kinds of weird spots in the house, and cat owners understand how much they love to nap. You can find them basking in the sunlight on a su…

Christian Adams
By Christian Adams ·
Do Cats Have an Evening Routine? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Do Cats Have an Evening Routine? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Cats are creatures of habit, and they love routine. That’s why they know when dinnertime is approaching and will let you know if it’s time for their daily trea…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
Where Do Cats Like to Sleep? 5 Typical Places

Where Do Cats Like to Sleep? 5 Typical Places

If you are a cat owner, you know how much cats love to sleep. Most cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, and when choosing a place to sleep, most indoor cats love t…

Rachel Giordano
By Rachel Giordano ·
Are House Cats Nocturnal? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

Are House Cats Nocturnal? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

If your cat has been keeping you awake with their night-time antics, you might be wondering if cats are truly a nocturnal species. Another reason to wonder is…

Emma Stenhouse
By Emma Stenhouse ·

How to Catify Your Home: 9 Vet-Approved Simple Ideas

Catifying your home means making it suitable for a cat or cats to live in. This means removing any potential hazards while also adding items that improve and e…

Nicole Cosgrove
By Nicole Cosgrove ·
How to Catify Your Home: 9 Vet-Approved Simple Ideas

How to Get Your Cat to Sleep in a New Bed: Vet-Verified Tips & Tricks

Saying that cats love to sleep is a bit of an understatement. Cats sleep between 15 and 20 hours each day. They're pros at finding comfortable spots to cuddle…

Christian Adams
By Christian Adams ·
How to Get Your Cat to Sleep in a New Bed: Vet-Verified Tips & Tricks

Where to Put Your Cat's Litter Box: 12 Vet-Reviewed Tips for Choosing the Perfect Location

A necessary part of bringing a new cat into your home is buying them a litter box. But just like how getting the right type of litter box is very important for…

Adam Mann
By Adam Mann ·
Where to Put Your Cat's Litter Box: 12 Vet-Reviewed Tips for Choosing the Perfect Location

How to Make Your Home More Cat-Friendly: 8 Vet Approved Ways

Cat owners know that cats are more than just tiny predators with an aloof personality—they’re family. And just like with family, you want your fur family to fe…

Codee Chessher
By Codee Chessher ·
How to Make Your Home More Cat-Friendly: 8 Vet Approved Ways

Do Cats Like the Dark? Vet-Verified Vision Facts (With Infograph)

All cat parents know that their adorable feline turns into a formidable predator when night comes. Frantic runs all over the house at 3 a.m. are part of the ha…

Genevieve Dugal
By Genevieve Dugal ·
Do Cats Like the Dark? Vet-Verified Vision Facts (With Infograph)

Why Does My Cat Sleep on My Pillow? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cat owners are no strangers to waking up with cat fur in their faces, followed by the faint sounds of a purring, content kitty. Cats are funny creatures and ca…

Rachel Giordano
By Rachel Giordano ·
Why Does My Cat Sleep on My Pillow? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

If there is one thing I regret about my automatic litter box, it’s that I didn’t get one sooner. For years, I dismissed this marvel of engineering as an overpr…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

If you have a cat (or cats!) in your life, then you know the value of play; there’s no better way to spend time with a loved one, both human and furry. I’m a l…

Mike Mearls
By Mike Mearls ·
Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert cat care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on feline behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.

You may opt-out at any time. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

The Catster site on a phone