So, you were excited to bring home your new fancy purchase to show your beloved feline. You open it up, get it out of the box, and show your kitty only to have them give it a couple of sniffs, turn up their nose, and walk away. They don’t want anything to do with it—and you’re out fifty bucks.
We all know how particular cats can be. But is there any way that you can persuade them to get their new bed a try? These methods might not work for every cat, but we have rounded up some ways to get their attention. Use one or a combination of these tips to get your kitty snoozing in the lap of luxury.
1. Treats, Treats, and More Treats
They say that the way to the man’s heart is through his belly. The same sentiment extends to our feline friends. If you want to lure your cat into their new bed, one of the best ways you can do it is to leave a few snacks of encouragement.
Anytime you want to coax your cat into the bed, just leave a treat or two on the surface where they can see and smell it. When they associate the treat with the bed, they might start lounging away.
2. Sprinkle Some Catnip
Can your cat resist the tantalizing power of catnip? We think not. Sprinkle a little cat nap on the bed itself or place a toy with catnip inside in the interior. Pretty soon, your cat will be rubbing all over it and getting to know it quite well.
Granted, not all cats react to catnip the same way. Kittens don’t react at all until they reach approximately 6 months of age. Even after that, an estimated 50% of cats do not react at all.
Remember to keep the catnip fresh since it does lose potency over time—like any other dried herb or plant.
See also: 8 Best Outdoor Cat Beds in 2021 – Reviews & Top Picks
3. Put Their Favorite Toys Inside
If your cat has a few favorite toys, you can always place the toys inside of the cat bed to get them to pay attention. The more they visit the location the more comfortable they will become. It might work especially well if they have another kitty to play with.
Your cat wants to be in a place they feel at ease. If they correlate this new bed with play, they will quickly acclimate. You can even make sure the new bed has a feature to entice play—like a ball on a string.
The more attractive the bed is to their playstyle, the more they might want to claim it.
4. Pick a Terrific Location
Can your cat resist peering out the window? Place the cat bed and a location that they visit frequently. If your cat prefers to sleep on a pile of laundry, you could set the bed close to the laundry basket or even on top to make it seem like they’re getting their way.
If your cat likes to sleep in bed with you, you can always place the new bed at the foot of yours for a few nights until they get used to sleeping on their own.
See also: 10 Best Elevated Cat Beds in 2021 – Reviews & Top Picks
5. Use a Specific Scent
When you season the new bed, you can always use a scent that they recognize to get them accustomed to sleeping in their new bed. Take a T-shirt that you’ve recently worn and place it into the bed if they sleep with you. Your smell might make them feel more secure in their new setting.
Since cats have scent glands, they mark their belongings constantly. Take some other piece of material that your cat lays on and place it into the bed. They will smell their own scent, helping them embrace ownership of this strange new piece of furniture.
Final Thoughts
Even after trying all of these tips, they might prefer the box that the bed came in instead. If none of these options help, you might have to break down and buy another option instead—or just let them sleep wherever they prefer. After all, there isn’t much that you can do if your cat isn’t having it.
Specific designs just won’t be as attractive to them, so no matter how persuasive you are, it still might not work out. Don’t be disheartened. These things happen. But in the meantime, exhaust all of your options until you’re sure that their answer is no.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
