Guides · How-to
How to Choose the Right Cat Bed Size: A Simple Measuring Guide
A bed that's too small gets ignored. One that's too big can feel exposed, and a warming bed that's much bigger than your cat holds less warmth around them. Getting the size right takes two minutes and a tape measure.
Step 1: Watch how your cat sleeps
- Curlers tuck into a tight ball. They need less length than you'd think, and they like a bed that feels snug.
- Stretchers sprawl out on their side or back. Size for their full stretched length.
- Sharers pile up with another cat. Size for both of them together.
Most cats do some of each. Size for the way your cat sleeps on the spot where the bed will go. A cat that curls on the window sill may stretch out on the sofa.
Step 2: Measure
- Wait until your cat is lying down relaxed, ideally stretched out.
- Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Leave the tail out; it curls around.
- Add 4 to 6 inches for a stretcher, or use the measurement as-is for a curler.
- For two cats that share, add their widths together rather than their lengths.
Also measure the place the bed will go: the window sill depth, the crate floor or the carrier base. A bed that hangs over the edge slides off.
Step 3: Match it to a size
As an example, here is how the four sizes of our self-warming mat map to cats and other pets. Other brands use similar size steps.
| Size | Inches | Pet weight | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 24 × 17 in | Up to 25 lb | One cat that curls up; most cat carriers and small crates |
| Medium | 29 × 19 in | Up to 40 lb | One larger cat that stretches out |
| Large | 34 × 22 in | Up to 65 lb | Two cats that share, or one large breed such as a Maine Coon |
| X-Large | 40 × 28 in | Up to 90 lb | Several cats, or a cat and a dog |
Pet weight limits are the manufacturer's ratings. If your pet falls between two sizes, size up for a stretcher and stay smaller for a curler.
Special cases
Crates and carriers
Measure the inside floor and choose the size that fits without folding. A folded mat creates a ridge cats avoid, and folding can crease the reflective layer in a self-warming mat.
Kittens
Buy for the cat they'll become if it's a long-lasting bed, but kittens feel safest in a small, snug spot. A small mat in a box or basket works well until they grow.
Senior cats
Older cats often prefer a flat, low bed that's easy to step onto. Choose a size that lets them stretch out stiff joints, and place it somewhere warm and easy to reach.
Multi-cat homes
Two cats that like each other will share a large mat. Cats that merely tolerate each other usually prefer two separate smaller beds.
Still between two sizes?
For a self-warming mat, go with the smaller of the two if your cat curls up, since a snug fit keeps more warmth around them. Go with the larger if your cat stretches out or shares.
A corduroy fleece mat with a quiet Mylar heat-reflecting layer and a non-slip base. No power needed. Four sizes and three colors, with free shipping and 30-day returns from Depoodeal.
View product