Cat bed for in the garage - new owners.

[Goingtogetflamed]

Hi, we have inherited a cat and don’t know much about cats. She lives outside, always has We have invited her in to the house and will continue to do so but in the meantime what can we get her to sleep in / on? She seems to like sleeping under things in the garage and has free access to it but I’d like to get her something warmer than a piece of tarpaulin or her old bed. Any suggestions? The bed caves look good but there’s so much choice and it’s hard to tell quality when we can only shop online.
Thanks.

Do you have electric sockets in the garage? You can buy heated pet mats.

Our (indoor) dog has a pet hot water bottle overnight- 5 mins in the microwave and it seems to stay warm for 10 hours.

One of those caves would be good on top of a polystyrene board for extra insulation?

This is going to sound like a cheap solution but have you considered putting her old bed in a cardboard box, sealing it and cutting an entrance in the front? She will be more insulated, her bed will be familiar so she'll be more likely to use it and cats love boxes.

My cats' willingness to use new things is in reverse proportion to how much it cost (radiator beds, climbing towers, fancy litter trays have all been ignored).

This is going to sound like a cheap solution but have you considered putting her old bed in a cardboard box, sealing it and cutting an entrance in the front? She will be more insulated, her bed will be familiar so she'll be more likely to use it and cats love boxes.

My cats' willingness to use new things is in reverse proportion to how much it cost (radiator beds, climbing towers, fancy litter trays have all been ignored).

I agree lidded box with hole and something she currently uses will make it more attractive.

The hot gel/water bottle was from Zooplus.

Cats won't sleep in new fancy stuff that they aren't used to. Sounds cheapskate and uncaring but putting her current bed inside a cardboard box to insulate it and under the current thing is honestly the best solution. She might come round in time and move in with you, just need patience on your part.

We took in an abandoned cat and just bought a furry tent like cat bed ( don't know how else to describe it ) he took to it straight away

Well I was hoping for a nice bit of selfless retail therapy but you’re all ruining my fun! Her current bed is one of the plastic moulded ones with a manky old cushion and blanket. I was going to put the old blanket in whatever we get her but wanted to get something really nice.
Will a cardboard box really do the job? I can put the old cushion and blanket inside and put it on top of some carpet Squares with a foil blanket folded up in between for insulation?

Sounds perfect.

Plus the hot "water" bottle

Thanks all - I’ll go with the cardboard box and make it cosy. Sorry for making two threads

We use a plastic toy box lined with a baby quilt. She been sleeping in it for nearly a year

If you did want to buy something, our cat loves this one

You can get self-heating cat beds if you fancy some retail therapy
www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/tramps-luxury-thermal-self-heating-cat-ring-bed-burgundy