Cat basket

[hadenoughforever]

It took about a year for my cat to climb into her new soft slightly covered basket which has a big padded fleece cushion on base. I used to hoover it out and finally succumbed to washing it. Did extra rinse, dried etc. Except now she won’t go near it. The cushion pad still smells faintly of detergent (I didn’t overdo it ie use too much).
So, she’s been sleeping on my chair which is a bit of inconvenience (not a lap cat) just gets down. But my long run into this post is she likely not to use it again (it’s been three months since the wash) and she avoids it just as she did in beginning. Should I buy her another one?? Any advice gratefully received.

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Tell her if she doesn't use it, you will throw it away!

@Toddlerteaplease … she’s a teenager cat, probably will tune me out 🤔

Anyone had this happen? Not exactly gripping topic but just the cat experience is second to none here (shameless grovelling)😬

Could you give it another wash without any detergent? If you can smell it, it will smell far stronger to her so it could be why she's avoiding it?

You don’t just tell her you’re throwing it out, you put it in the bin pile. Then it will become Important.

The suggestion to wash it again with no detergent is a good one. Have you tried taking the cushion out and seeing if she will use that without the rest of the bed? Or use the bed without the cushion? Might be worth trying the cushion on your chair, as if she hates the cushion at least you get your seat back? Who knows, it might be comfortable for you to sit on?!

Then again, if she took a year to use it before you washed it, you’ve probably got another 9 months of this before she just gets in it on a random Wednesday because cats