As with feeding dishes, choosing beds for you cat is more involved than one would think.

The preferred shape is round. That is not to say they won’t sleep in a box, but since a cat sleeps curled up, a round bed will sort of “hug” the body. A smallish plush square bed will also be coveted.

Of course, super soft and deeply padded is irresistible, especially during cold weather. In the summer, your cat may be more likely to stretch out on a flat surface, so purchase an assortment of styles and sizes. Even just a furry throw rug will work, especially if you drape it over the furniture. Doing that also helps keep pet hair at bay.

If you have more than one cat, consider getting a dog bed. Many felines like to sleep together, so this would accommodate a pair or more.

Offer several small beds. Look for them at garage sales and thrift stores, but be sure to wash those before putting them out for your kitties. If they smell like the original owner, it may cause consternation among the ranks thinking that perhaps an interloper has invaded their space.

Color really does make a difference! Cats only see a couple of colors, but more importantly they are drawn by natural instinct towards camouflage. If you have light-colored kitties, buy beds where the insides are pale. Dark pets prefer dark beds. Multi-colored cats like patterns. The outside covering doesn’t matter so much, so choose whatever pleases you.

When placing the beds around the house, you need to think like a realtor: location, location, location! Look for the telltale signs of accumulated cat hair indicating favorite sleeping spots. If the cat sleeps on a particular piece of furniture, position a bed there. It is so much easier to toss that in the washer than a heavy bedspread, and it is very easy to move should company come.

Many cats like to sleep high up. If you have a large dresser or other tall piece of furniture, put a cozy bed on top if your kitty has a way up.

If a particular bed is being shunned, try changing the color by adding an old towel or throw. Of course, you can buy all sorts of beds and scatter them throughout the house, and then your cat might choose to sleep on your keyboard anyway.