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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat bed: how do I get her to use it?

51 replies

LikeDylanInTheMovies · 18/07/2016 11:41

We've bought Purr Majesty a lovely domed cat igloo but so far she's ignored! We've tried lining itt with her favourite blanket, spraying it with feeliway and she studiously ignores the thing!

Any tips? She's a tortie so pretty strong willed!

OP posts:
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6
NeedACleverNN · 18/07/2016 15:09

The only cat I have ever had to use her bed.

I don't know why she chose to use it but she does.

She still sleeps everywhere else too though

Cat bed: how do I get her to use it?
JamieVardysParty · 18/07/2016 16:05

Mine love their bed, although now they are bigger, they can't both fit in it.

It's on the foot rest/pouffe that came with the sofa, so agree that they like to be off the ground.

They now take it turns to sleep in, with the other normally sleeping under the covers right in the middle of our bed.

Original poster
LikeDylanInTheMovies · 18/07/2016 17:23

need I could live with her also sleeping elsewhere, but she'll sleep anywhere but in her igloo. We got her an igloo as she likes dark enclosed spaces and will happily spend hours in the airing cupboard.

OP posts:
hollinhurst84 · 18/07/2016 17:31

Mine thinks my bed is his Hmm
How can one small cat take over a super king size bed? And he gets grumpy if he can't sleep ON me

Allergictoironing · 18/07/2016 18:12

Mine (both recently acquired ex-feral rescues) have a number of places they sleep, the two places they won't go near are the bed and the igloo.

We have - on the sofa, on the back of the sofa (with or without sheepskin covering), behind the sofa, INSIDE the sofa, Girlcat on any level of the cat tree including the caves (one of which she insists on squeezing half her body into and drooping out both ends as it's far too small), Boycat on the base of the cat tree, under any table preferably on the laminate floor, in the cardboard box, behind the PC table tangled in the cables, Girlcat on the window sill (Boycat is too thick & clumsy to get up there Blush), and on the bathroom floor.

But never ever in the bed or the igloo, which are obviously traps and have to be given a wide berth.

KittensandKnitting · 18/07/2016 20:39

Paper seems to be a good place for purs to sleep on too... Or anything I'm trying to read :)

JamieVardysParty · 19/07/2016 11:35

Can you tempt her in by placing a small pile of clean and ironed washing inside? It's kryptonite for mine Grin

hillyhilly · 19/07/2016 11:55

I have a heated pad in the bottom of my cats bed - perhaps you need to spend even more money and make it even more lavish!!
My DC is 18 on Friday so I think she really appreciates the warmth as she's not allowed in our bed at night which is where she'd much prefer to be.

Original poster
LikeDylanInTheMovies · 19/07/2016 13:04

Jamie I tried putting a t shirt she normally loves sleeping on in there and will see if that works.

OP posts:
JamieVardysParty · 19/07/2016 13:20

Fingers crossed that works!

When did you get it? Could it just be that she's too hot with the weather at the moment to go in it?

Original poster
LikeDylanInTheMovies · 19/07/2016 14:47

Cheers Jamie we got it last weekend and we live in Scotland so whilst it is quite warm today it has hardly been subtropical!

OP posts:
BluishSky · 19/07/2016 19:54

Are you sure she's not too hot? Mine lives in the hooded one in winter, but doesn't touch it in the warmer months.

Bogburglar99 · 20/07/2016 21:08

DD is very fond of sitting on BogBastards igloo Smile

I suppose he returns the favour by sleeping for preference on her high sleeper bed, or on her head ...

Toddlerteaplease · 21/07/2016 16:25

One of my girls has 3 beds. One on the armchair, one behind the recliner and one in my bedroom. I felt guilty as her sister only has one. (On the recliner) until I realised that she loves my favourite cushion. They both have blankets on the back of the sofa an on the armchair. They have more places to sit than I do!

Cat bed: how do I get her to use it?
Cat bed: how do I get her to use it?
Original poster
LikeDylanInTheMovies · 31/08/2016 00:09

Believe it or not: success!

My wife went into the lounge at 5 am to get a drink and what did she see peaking out of the igloo, but a pair of ears and whiskers. Fur ladyship also gave a meow that said 'yeah I'm in the igloo, what of it?'

OP posts:
Yukduck · 31/08/2016 09:01

New Kit Kit sleeps.....

  1. In the dog's bed in the hall (much to Yukdog's disgust!). Dog has not slept in his bed since we had Kit Kit.
  2. On clean towels on a high shelf in the bedroom (higher than the top of the bedroom door) and he will climb up our dressing gowns hung on the back of said door to get there. He is almost touching the ceiling but this is his fave place (and gives us a heart attack just watching him and imagining him falling).
  3. On the windowsill in the dining room. Hiding behind the drapes so we think we have lost him. He can stay quiet there for hours! We have put a soft towel there now for him as I have given up moving him.

Not once has he used his expensive Kit Kit bed, even when put off the floor on the sofa!!

problembottom · 31/08/2016 11:06

My cat would only use his igloo when we put it in pride of place in the lounge. Not exactly the look I was going for on top of my antique dresser...

Cat bed: how do I get her to use it?
cozietoesie · 31/08/2016 11:15

With that countenance, I'd just do whatever he fancied, problem. Grin

hollinhurst84 · 31/08/2016 11:52

Look at that face! "Slaves must worship me" GrinGrinGrin

cozietoesie · 31/08/2016 12:14

Well you'd be reluctant to say 'No' to him, wouldn't you? Wink

hollinhurst84 · 31/08/2016 12:17

Yeah I would be worried he would be plotting some evil revenge. Ollie is currently asleep on my bed Hmm

Cat bed: how do I get her to use it?
cozietoesie · 31/08/2016 12:33

So is Seniorboy. He's just had cold meat for lunch Blush and has headed back to his electric blanket. Smile

hollinhurst84 · 31/08/2016 12:37

Ollie had felix Hmm
I've had an operation and asked dad to drop some milk in for me. Dad (who doesn't like cats) came back with milk and felix pouches "because the cat might need food"Confused
I think he likes him Grin told dad to say sit and hold a treat up and Ollie sat and gave his paw (dad is dog person)

problembottom · 31/08/2016 15:54

Funny how you can tell he's the boss of our house. Grin These mogs have a nice life...

LittleCandle · 31/08/2016 16:10

I have two wicker igloos which are currently being ignored because I had the temerity to change the covers in them for new ones, that used to be the dog's blanket. CandleCat1 now sleeps on the dog's bed right next to one igloo and CandleCat2 hasn't been in much at all because the weather is fairly decent. However, in the winter, CandleCat1 will bully CandleCat2 out of the other igloo (not the one by the dog's bed), even though he has spent the day sleeping in the other one. CandleCat2 is so subservient to CandleCat1 (they are brothers) that he gets out and usually trundles outside in the huff. CandleCat1 is supremely indifferent to my accusations of bullying.

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