As any cat owner knows, felines love to sleep in warm places. During cold winter months you’ll often find your cat curled up in front of a heater or fireplace. And during the summer, they’ll often find a patch of sun or a blanket to cuddle up in, especially on those days when your air conditioning is cranked. 

Cats have a knack of finding the warmest spot in the house to take their cat naps. And they love to snooze, so a heated cat bed will give your cat a warm and cozy place to sleep year round. Heated cat beds are also especially comforting for cats with less hair and for older cats that might have stiff joints or arthritis. 

So what should you look for if you’re considering a heated bed for your cat? And how can you use a heated bed safely? Have no fear – we’ve done all the research to find the very best beds for your feline friend.

Our Top Recommendations

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7 Best Heated Cat Beds to Consider

Here are our top picks to help you choose the best heated cat bed for your favorite furry friend. We’ve divided them up into 7 different categories and chose our favorites for each type of cat bed. 

Overall Best Heated Cat Bed

Our Pick: Pet Magasin Self Warming Cat Cave Bed

Pet Magasin Self Warming Cat Cave Bed

Cats are picky creatures and often hard to please. But this inexpensive heated cat bed also wins the award of the most versatile on our list. With overwhelming 5 star reviews, this self-warming cat bed has four different configurations: a cat cup kitten bed, a warming cat pad, a cat cave bed, and a cat pod to curl up on. It’s made of fleece and foam padding with faux-fur lining and a microfiber outer shell. Your pampered feline can have a different cat bed for each season and will keep warm and cozy without the use of electricity. Plus, you can’t beat the price!

Pros

  • Versatile 4-in-1 heated cat bed
  • Stylish and will blend with decor
  • Inexpensive
  • 30-day return policy

Cons

  • Hand washable only
  • Only comes in one color, beige
  • Indoor only 

Best Cat Heating Pad

Our Pick: Toozey Pet Heating Pad 

cat on bed

This is our favorite electric cat bed heating pad. The Toozey Pet Heating Pad has six adjustable temperatures, a timer, and a chew-resistant cord. There’s a 7-layer protective shield with UL-certified heating wire to protect your cat and a built-in intelligent temperature sensor in the heating pad to prevent your cat from overheating. It’s made of waterproof and flame-retardant PVC and fleece with a machine washable removable cover. This heated cat bed comes in four different colors and sizes to fit in with your decor.

Pros

  • Excellent safety features for an electric cat bed
  • Great price point
  • Several color and size options
  • 30-day return policy

Cons

  • The inside pad has to be wiped down 
  • Only the cover can be machine washed
  • Made for Indoor use only

Best Heated Outdoor Cat Bed

Our Pick: PETYELLA Heated Cat House 

PETYELLA Heated Cat House 

If your cat prefers the outdoors, or if you’d like to give feral cats their dream home, this heated cat house is adorable! It features a waterproof PVC tarp base, waterproof heating pad, waterproof heater with timer, two removable waterproof doors, and a chew-proof cord with a 16-foot extension. The inside walls and roof are insulated, and the cozy warming pad has a removable cover that’s machine washable. This is a great little indoor or outdoor house for any cat under 25 pounds. It comes in a “brick” or “wood” patterned exterior. 

Pros

  • It’s surprisingly easy to assemble
  • Excellent reviews from customers
  • Functional for both indoor or outdoor use
  • 30-day return policy

Cons

  • It’s not fully waterproof. Product description states overall it’s “water resistant” and needs to be under a covered area.

Best Perch/Cat Tree With Cat Bed

Our Pick: Tuft + Paw Grove Cat Tower

Tuft + Paw Grove Cat Tower

This elegantly designed cat tower provides a safe pedestal for your feline friends. Its stylistic design can be seamlessly incorporated into your modern household. The Grove Cat Tower comes in multiple sizes for versatility and features two different cushions that will leave your pets in the lap of luxury. The faux shearling top acts as a warm perch for your cat to rest and have a panoramic lookout. Fashion meets function since the round airy design blends seamlessly with any decor.

Pros

  • Beautiful design
  • Several size options
  • Premium plywood with ash veneer is easy to assemble
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Designed for cats of all sizes

Cons

  • A bit on the pricey side
  • Fabric areas cannot be removed for easy washing
  • Made for indoor use only

Best Elevated Heated Cat Bed

Our Pick: Kenyone Elevated Pet Hammock Bed

Kenyone Elevated Pet Hammock Bed

If your cat is one that likes to sleep on a raised bed or nestles on chairs or the couch, it might just love this comfy hammock-style raised cat bed. This is a great option if you live in a warmer climate – in summer your cat can sprawl out on the breathable mesh surface and during cooler months, snuggle up with the warm and fuzzy pillow mat. This elevated cat bed also comes with two spring balls your cat can play with to use up that last little bit of before-bed energy. This is a stylish cat bed that’s easy to assemble, lightweight, and big enough for all cats under 25 pounds. It can be used indoor or outdoor and the pillow is machine washable. Available in two colors, pink or gray. 

Pros

  • Excellent customer reviews
  • Suitable for both indoor or outdoor use
  • Stylish and available in two colors
  • Inexpensive
  • 30-day return policy

Cons

  • Not the warmest heated bed on our list
  • Ideal for warmer climates as an outdoor cat bed, or for households that don’t get too cold

Best Luxury Warming Cat Bed

Our Pick: K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed Deluxe Hooded Cat Bed 

K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed Deluxe Hooded Cat Bed 

For the ultimate heated cat bed, we love the Thermo-Kitty Deluxe. It features a dual thermostat and a 4-watt heating unit inside a premium polyfill pillow base, which warms the bed 10-15 degrees above the room’s air temperature. Its outer cover is a soft micro fleece that is machine washable/dryable. The cat bed is partially covered with a hood which most cats love to sleep under for extra warmth and a sense of security. Available in two different sizes and two different colors: tan or mocha.

Pros

  • The dual thermostat helps regulate the temperature so your cat stays cozy
  • Only consumes 4 watts of energy when plugged in
  • Washable cover makes upkeep simple
  • Available in two different sizes and neutral colors

Cons

  • More expensive than similar products
  • Indoor only

Best Heated Bed for Your Budget

Our Pick: FurHaven Self-Warming Pet Bed 

FurHaven Self-Warming Pet Bed 

If you’re looking for an inexpensive warm cat bed, you can’t beat the price on this one. This self-warming pet mat has an insulated polyester fiber core that captures your cat’s body heat and radiates its warmth back. It’s machine washable and comes in two different sizes and four different colors (including a snazzy leopard print)! Great for travel or multiple pets. 

Pros

  • It’s a solid, inexpensive option
  • We really like this bed for travel
  • Available in 6 stylish colors
  • 90-day warranty

Cons

  • Indoor only
  • It’s a self-warming pad, not as warm or thick as a heated bed for cats

What is a Heated Cat Bed?

Heated beds for cats will keep your feline warmer than traditional cat beds. There are two main types of heated cat beds available: self heating or electric. 

A self-heating cat bed doesn’t need electricity but instead is made with a layer of self-warming fabric, which reflects body heat back to your cat. An electrically heated cat bed plugs into the wall and is generally warmer than a self-warming bed. 

Heated cat beds, especially electric heating beds for cats, are great for older cats who may have stiff joints. These warming cat beds have fancy features such as adjustable temperature settings or pressure activation, which activates the heat as soon as your cat sits on it. 

There are many different styles of electric and non-electric warming cat beds including cat heating pads, cat bed caves, cat couches, covered cat beds, elevated cat beds, and indoor or outdoor heated cat beds. 

Are Heated Cat Beds Safe?

siamese kitten in cat bed

The answer is yes. Heated cat beds are safe, even if they are left on and plugged in overnight. Cat bed heaters are low wattage and only heat up about 10-15 degrees above the room’s temperature. When your cat nestles in for a nap, the heater will automatically adjust to your cat’s body temperature, which is about 102 degrees. Cat beds that heat up are safe for kittens as well. 

Self-heating cat beds don’t rely on any supplemental electricity and only use your cat’s body heat, making them a safer option than electric beds. However, most electric heated cat beds come with safety features including temperature sensors, chew-resistant cords, and automatic shut offs.

If you opt for an electric heating cat bed, we just recommend purchasing one with a chew-resistant cord cover. This is important to keep your cat from chewing or clawing at the wires. 

How We Selected Our Top Choices

In choosing the best heated cat beds, we read numerous customer reviews on each product, compared them with other similar brands/models, and talked to other cat owners to get their heated cat bed recommendations. 

We took into consideration the style, functionality, and overall aesthetics, including the comfort and durability of the material used and if it’s washable. 

Once we selected our favorite products, we price-compared each of them with multiple online stores to find the best deal.  

Heated Cat Bed Buyer’s Guide

With so many different types of heated cat beds to choose from, you’ll want to do a little research to pick out the best heated cat bed for your furry feline. Here are some tips to make the best decision for your feline family member.

Consider the climate and temperature. Where you live and the temperature of your home may determine whether or not you’ll need a self-heating cat bed or an electric heated cat bed. Electric beds get warmer than self-heating ones and may be better suited for colder climates or older cats with joint problems. Self-heating beds may be a great choice for warmer geographic locations.

Pay attention to your cat’s sleeping habits. Start by noting where your cat sleeps and whether or not they enjoy thick and cozy blankets or a smoother surface. Do they generally sleep on an elevated surface or prefer covered spaces? Do they lounge safely outdoors or snooze inside? All of these things will help you determine things like fabric choice, style of bed, and whether you need one for indoor or outdoor use. 

Evaluate the size. If you only have one cat, select a bed that will comfortably allow your cat to sprawl out and be comfortable. However, if you have multiple cats who enjoy curling up together, you may want to opt for a larger bed to accommodate everyone. 

Think about your decor. While your cat may not care about the color of their heated bed, you may want to choose one to match your home decor – especially if you plan to use it in a prominent area like your living room. 

Research the upkeep. Before buying, check to make sure the material can be washed and that it’s made of a durable material (like polyester) if your cat is a scratcher or if you have kittens that might use the cat bed to play or wrestle on. Also see if a heated cat bed is made for indoor or outdoor use, which will usually be in the product’s description. And lastly, check the return policy and product warranty.