Adult Cats & Caves: Why Secure Beds Aren’t Just for Kittens 🐱🏠

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Cat caves are often marketed toward kittens — but the need for secure, enclosed sleeping spaces doesn’t disappear as cats grow up. In fact, adult and senior cats may benefit even more from cave-style beds. 😺

This article breaks down why cat caves support instinctual behavior, how they promote calm and better sleep, and which adult cats need one the most.

🧠 Why Cats Love Caves (At Any Age)

Caves appeal to your cat’s wild instincts: 

• ✅ Offer safety, security, and warmth 
• ✅ Reduce exposure to light and sound 
• ✅ Allow “watching” without being watched

Even confident adult cats benefit from having a self-regulated retreat zone in their territory.

😾 Signs Your Adult Cat Might Still Need a Cave 

• Always sleeping under furniture 
• Startles easily during naps 
• Avoids open beds, sofa spaces, or high-traffic areas
  
• Hides during storms, houseguests, or stress

💡 A cave bed gives them a designated safe space — so they don’t claim the back of your wardrobe or laundry basket instead.

🛏️ Best Caves for Adult and Senior Cats

🌋 Uluru Felt Cave 

• Fully enclosed with structured felt 
• Stays warm without overheating
  
• Perfect for adult cats who like to curl, observe, or decompress

🔁 3-in-1 Cube Cave 

• Switch between flat pad, half-dome, and cube 
• Great for multi-cat households or cats with changing moods

🏠 Felt Houses 

• Structured hideouts that double as play or nap zones 
• Stylish enough to blend into modern homes

👵 Do Senior Cats Still Use Caves?

✅ Yes — and even more than younger cats in many cases.

• Warmth helps with joint stiffness 
• Enclosed spaces reduce sensory overload 
• Familiar scent = stress relief during illness or change

Pair with a fleece or heat disc inside for maximum comfort.

💬 From Dr. Duncan Houston

“Cat caves offer more than comfort — they offer control. And for adult cats, especially those in multi-pet homes or high-stimulation environments, that control is critical for wellbeing.”

🛒 Secure, Stylish Beds for All Ages 

• 🌋 Uluru Felt Cave 
• 🔁 3-in-1 Cube 
• 🏠 Felt Houses Collection

😽 Browse all vet-approved cat caves at Purrz

📚 References

1. International Cat Care. (2023). Hiding, security, and safe zones. https://icatcare.org 
2. Buffington, C. A. T. (2011). Environmental enrichment for stress management in adult cats. *Vet Clinics: Small Animal Practice*, 41(5), 1012–1019.