A good resting spot meets three criteria: warm, elevated, and within sight of the household action. Cats want to feel safe and connected at the same time.
The setup
- A soft bed or blanket in a quiet corner
- Slightly elevated — a chair, a windowsill, a cat tree
- Out of foot traffic but not isolated
- Near, but not directly in, sunlight
Offer choices
Cats rotate napping spots throughout the day based on temperature and mood. Two or three options give them what they need without ever being told.
Seasonal adjustments
In peak summer, a cooler tiled spot or a bed away from direct afternoon sun often gets more use than the usual favourite; in winter, a spot near (not on) a warm appliance or a heated bed becomes the draw. Letting the options shift with the weather keeps every bed you've bought from going unused half the year.
If your cat sleeps in a hard, awkward spot instead of the bed you bought, the bed is in the wrong location. Move it; don't blame the cat.
