Vet’s 2025 Guide to Getting Your Cat to Use a New Bed 🐾🛏️

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

You did it — you found the perfect cat bed. It’s soft. It’s stylish. It’s Purrz-approved. But your cat? They sniff it once and go back to sleeping in a cardboard box. 🙃

Sound familiar? You're not alone. Cats are creatures of habit — and sometimes, even the coziest bed needs a little introduction. Here's how to get your cat to actually use their new bed — with proven, vet-approved steps that work (and no bribes required... okay, maybe a few treats).

😿 Why Do Cats Reject New Beds? 

• 📦 The bed smells unfamiliar 
• 📍 It's in the wrong location 
• 🧠 Cats associate “safe sleep” with specific textures or routines 
• 😼 Too squishy, too exposed, or too different from their norm

Don’t take it personally — this is normal feline behavior. But it’s fixable.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Introduce a New Cat Bed

1. Start with Familiar Scent 

• Rub the bed with your cat’s favorite blanket or toy 
• Place something from their current sleeping spot inside 
• You can even use a worn T-shirt to add your scent

2. Pick the Right Location 

• Put the bed where your cat already likes to nap (even temporarily) 
• Quiet corners, sunlit floors, window perches = ✨ winning 
• Avoid high-traffic areas or near litter/food

3. Reward Curiosity 

• Sprinkle treats, silvervine, or catnip inside the bed 
• Gently lure them in with a wand toy or teaser 
• Give praise (and back off if they’re unsure)

4. Be Patient (But Consistent) 

• Leave the bed in place for at least a week 
• Don’t push or force use — cats don’t love ultimatums

🧺 Purrz Beds That Transition Easily

✅ 3-in-1 Cat Cube Cave

Change it based on mood: flat for lounging, cave for hiding, cube for confidence. Ideal for picky sleepers who don’t like commitment.

✅ Uluru Felt Cave

Provides enclosed comfort without trapping heat. Great for cats who need safety and structure.

✅ XL Flat Felt Pad

For cats that hate walls or beds that feel too fluffy — this one transitions seamlessly from floor to bed, and can be used as a liner in crates or carriers.

🧠 Extra Tricks (For the Stubborn Ones) 

• Warm the bed slightly with a safe heat pad (especially in winter) 
• Place the bed on top of or near a cardboard box at first, then slowly move it 
• Pair it with feeding time or a treat session nearby to create positive associations

💬 Vet Insight from Dr. Duncan Houston

"Even confident cats are naturally cautious of change. It’s not the bed they dislike — it’s the newness. Familiar scent, location, and time are your best tools for building trust with a new sleep space."

🛍️ Find the Right Bed for Your Cat’s Personality 

• 😻 Uluru Felt Cave – for introverts and anxious cats 
• 🔁 3-in-1 Cube Cave – for cats who like options 
• 🧘♀️ XL Felt Pad – for laid-back loungers

🛏️ Shop the full comfort collection at Purrz now