Cat beds in winter and summer: what changes with the seasons

If your cat switches beds over the course of the year, it isn't fickleness: it's thermoregulation. A cat seeks out warmth in winter and gets rid of it in summer, and no bed does both well. That's why, when it comes to cat beds for winter and summer, two of opposite shapes are better than one very expensive one — and why there's no point fighting it when your cat deserts their bed in July.

What your cat looks for in winter

Three things, in this order.

Insulation from the floor. Tiles and cold wooden floors draw body heat away by conduction. A bed placed straight on a cold floor, however well padded, is still less effective than one raised a few centimetres off it. A bed that hangs from the radiator goes further: held by two hooks, it lifts them right off the floor, in a faux-fur-style plush.

A small space. An enclosed space holds in body heat with no outside help. That's why a cat burrows under a duvet or squeezes into a cardboard box in January. A capsule bed recreates exactly that effect, as does a sleeping bag they can slip right inside.

Shelter from draughts. The most overlooked point. A nice warm bed placed between a door and a window will be snubbed. Check where the air is coming from first, before you look at the padding.

For a large cat, or one that likes to be able to turn around inside, a villa cat house gives the same cocooning effect with more room.

What your cat looks for in summer

Exactly the opposite, and that's what makes a winter bed unusable.

Ventilation from below. This is the deciding factor. In a padded bed, body heat is trapped underneath the cat. A raised bed lets air flow underneath: that's the idea behind the camp-style bed on wooden legs, whose taut fabric stays much cooler than a cushion.

A material that doesn't hold in heat. Rattan breathes through the sides, which makes a rattan bed usable all year round — especially if the cushion flips over to a smooth side.

Contact with something cool. Many cats abandon every bed in summer to sleep straight on the bathroom tiles or under a piece of furniture. It isn't a rejection of their bed: they're seeking out a cool surface to lose heat by conduction. A cooling mat gives them a surface that is cool to the touch where they sleep, with no gel, water or electricity: it does not make cold, the coolness comes from the fabric.

The seasons at a glance

The solution that saves you buying twice

Rather than replacing the bed twice a year, the better approach is to have two beds of opposite shapes, available all the time, and let your cat choose.

It takes less effort than it sounds: your cat will drift from one to the other over the weeks of their own accord, without you having to do a thing. And it solves a recurring problem — the owner who puts the winter bed away a little too early, or too late.

Some beds are designed to cover both uses. A sleeping bag closes up in winter and unfolds flat into a mat for summer. A raised tunnel bed, open at both ends, stays ventilated while still offering shelter.

One bed for both seasons
Closed in winter, they burrow in and their body heat stays inside; opened out flat in summer, the same bag becomes a mat, machine washable all year round. Discover the cat sleeping bag →

Seasonal mistakes

Persisting with the winter bed in July. Your cat isn't sulking; they're too hot in it. Put it away and offer something else.

Putting the summer bed in full sun. A south-facing windowsill turns into an oven in the afternoon. The same spot, excellent in February, is best avoided in August.

Using a heating device with no way out. A cat must always be able to move away from a heat source. This is especially true for an older cat, who is less able to sense temperature.

Washing the bed when the seasons change. It's the worst possible moment: your cat finds a bed that is both unfamiliar and stripped of their scent. Wash it ahead of time, not at the moment of the switch.

The moulting cycle, which follows the seasons

Twice a year, in spring and autumn, your cat renews their coat. These periods coincide with the change of bed, and they have two practical consequences.

The bed fills up with hair much faster. This is the time to remove hair more often — a wipe with a damp glove every two or three days rather than once a week. A bed in a smooth material greatly limits the build-up; the details are in cat hair and bed care.

Your cat swallows more hair while grooming, which raises the risk of hairballs. Regular brushing during the moult goes a long way towards solving the problem, and it fits in naturally when your cat is settled on their bed.

It's also the ideal time to deep-clean the bed from the season that's ending, before putting it away — rather than when you bring it back out, when your cat would find it without their scent.

When heat becomes a problem

In a heatwave, the bed is only part of the answer. Cats are poor at regulating their temperature — they only sweat through their paw pads — and signs of overheating call for a quick response: open-mouth breathing, panting, unusual lethargy.

The full set of measures, and what counts as an emergency, are covered in how to keep your cat cool in hot weather. Don't forget hydration either: a cat's water needs rise noticeably in summer.

Frequently asked questions

My cat sleeps on the floor in summer. Should I worry?

No, it's normal behaviour: they're cooling off through contact with a cold surface. Offer a ventilated bed nearby — many cats take to it, because it combines coolness and comfort.

Does my cat need a heated bed in winter?

It's rarely necessary for a healthy adult cat in a heated home. A covered bed is enough in most cases. For an older or very thin cat, a gentle heat source can help, provided they can move away from it.

How many beds does a cat need in total?

Two or three, in different shapes and spread around your home. That's more useful than a single high-end bed, and it lets your cat choose according to the time of day and the season. How to choose is covered in which cat bed to choose.

Can I put a blanket in the bed in winter?

Yes, and it's a good idea: it adds insulation and quickly picks up your cat's scent. Choose a washable one, and skip scented fabric softener.

My cat changes beds every month.

That's normal, and rather a good sign: they're adjusting to the light, the temperature and the comings and goings. Leave several options available rather than hunting for the one bed they'll keep all year round.