Cats sleep most of the day, and they usually find a cozy spot to sleep. It may be your bed, favorite chair, stack of papers and books, fresh pile of linen, on top of a piece of furniture, or in an isolated corner.
For my cat Mittens, those were all preferred spots at one time or the other, that is until I got her a cat basket. I placed it in her favorite corner, added an old towel for cushioning, and at first she ignored it. So two days later I added her favorite toy to the cat basket, watched from afar, and waited patiently. As curious as a cat, as the saying goes, she stepped in the basket and got hooked. Since that day it has been her preferred, cozy spot.
Cat baskets are available in a variety of sizes, they are composed of different materials, can be found in most pet stores, and can be purchased online. Prices are reasonable, and our loyal family members deserve to be treated to their own spot. They not only sleep in their basket, they stretch, and roll and play.
When shopping for a cat basket you need to consider not just the size, but also the age of your cat. If you have a young cat you need to buy a cat basket large enough to accommodate a growing cat. The cat basket should be large enough for your cat to stretch out, as cats frequently do, into whatever position he or she likes.
The majority of cat baskets I have seen are made of interwoven rattan/reed, typical basket material. Adding a cushion, blanket, towel, or old, but clean clothing is all that is needed. Regular washes, just as you would any pet bedding, is all that is required to maintain hygiene. I sometimes use old clothing and towels then discard when soiled because my cat spends at least thirty minutes to an hour outdoor each day, and after consuming all that grass I expect vomiting. Whenever the rattan/reed material gets soiled with vomitus, I just wipe with a moist soapy cloth or disinfectant.
Cat baskets are also made of plastic and foam rubber. They are easier to clean and disinfect. The foam rubber is usually covered with a zipped, machine washable material that can be easily laundered in the washing machine.
All you have to do is unzip and remove foam. The plastic variety, I personally avoid because of fear of possible toxic exposure to BPA to my pet. We have to be careful when purchasing items made of plastic whether for humans or for our animal family members. As have been revealed by the media some products, including plastic products such as toys and feeding bowls from China and other foreign countries, may contain toxic substances containing BPA and other products lead, which can be harmful. USA made products are usually safer.
