An anxious or stressed-out cat is more common than you’d think. Vets estimate around 20-25% of their feline patients have some anxiety issues, often presenting in various behaviors, such as aggression, constant meowing, or even going to the bathroom outside of the litter box.
There are a few things you can do to make your cat feel more comfortable and secure if it suffers from anxiety problems.
One option is to purchase a calming cat bed because these beds are specially designed to mimic the feeling of warmth and safety a kitten feels when sleeping with its siblings.
Often, they’re warm, cozy, and confined, giving your cat a secure place to retreat when they’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
In this article, we’ll compare the best calming cat beds we could find and that we’ve tried out with our cats.
We looked at the cost from a value for money perspective, the design and snuggle factor and how it helps to soothe your cat plus we worked out what features our cats found most calming
Best Calming Cat Bed: Our Overall Choice
Our pick and the one that our cats all loved to settle down in is the Best Friends by Sheri Original Calming Donut Cat Bed. Bit of a mouthful, but a great anti-anxiety cat bed. The small size (big enough for most cats) is not very expensive, and it’s very soft and plush with a natural donut shape that lets your cat sink into it to feel secure.
3 Top Calming Cat Bed Picks Picks - Best, Value & Premium
As with all our group tests, we like to dive in a bit deeper on that number one overall pick and two other options, a value one and one that is either pricier or a bit more premium in terms of quality. Then we look at a range of other options if our top three picks aren’t quite right for your cat.
Calming cat beds come in a range of different styles to suit various felines. Some are cave-shaped, to give your kitties a dark place where they can be undisturbed as they sleep.
Others are intended to surround your cat with warmth and comfort while they rest.
We looked at a few different styles, but the one thing they all had in common was that they offered features aimed at making your cat calmer, less anxious, and feeling more secure.
Each of these products has those features and has been tried and tested by our discerning kitties and our team.
1. Best Friends by Sheri: The Original (Best Overall)
The Original donut-shaped calming cat bed from Best Friends by Sheri is one of the most highly-rated cat accessories on the market. Available in various colors and sizes, this product has a specifically designed round and deep donut shape, that makes it ideal for cats who love to curl up.
There’s a slightly raised rim, to offer a sense of security while providing better head and neck support for your feline friend.
This anti-anxiety cat bed comes with a super-soft filling, designed to provide joint and muscle pain relief. Plus, it’s coated in a shaggy faux-fur-type material, which mimics the experience of a kitten snuggling up to its mother.
The fabric is excellent at retaining heat too, so it can keep your cat warm in winter.
Plus, the materials on this bed are washing machine friendly, for easy maintenance.
The small is big enough for most cats at 23 inches across and only the largest breeds would need a medium.
Without seeming too biased we rate this calming cat bed extremely highly. So much so that it is our overall top cat bed pick when considering all types of cat beds.
Plus, pretty much every member of our team has one of these for their cats because they love them so much.
We don’t really have anything significant to point out as a downside other than the fact that the underside can be a bit slippy on a shiny floor!
Pros
Cons
2. Bedsure Cat Cave (Best Value)
Cave-style beds are a common choice for pet parents looking to comfort their nervous feline. These beds provide a safe, secluded space where your kitty can curl up without being disturbed.
The Bedsure cave-style bed is a comfortable and warm option for all kinds of cats. The sturdy construction prevents the design from folding in itself, so it’s easy for your kitty to enter or exit.
There’s also the option to push the top of the bed inwards and place the cushion on top if your cat prefers an open space.
The internal cushion provides plenty of self-warming comfort for your kitty. Plus, it can be easily removed for washing.
All that, and you get a stylish solution, designed to go well with virtually any home design.
This budget choice for anti-anxiety cat beds was also our value pick in our cat cave group test because we’ve seen a lot of happy kitties snuggled up in these.
Pros
Cons
3. Hepper Cat Nest (Best Premium)
Have you ever noticed how kitties love curling up in small spaces?
The Hepper Cat Nest appeals directly to this feline instinct.
The bowl-shaped bed has a cozy fleece lining, to provide a self-warming effect for your kitty. Plus, you can remove the fleece for quick and simple washing.
The durable and reliable bed has a modern design that’s great for any home, and it’s specially designed to help minimize cat anxiety. Your kitty can curl up into a ball, with a high rim raised all around them to provide security from the outside world.
Plus, the hard outer material on the bed means you’re less likely to have to replace the product if your cat scratches or chews it.
Pros
Cons
The Best Calming Cat Beds: Additional Picks
If the three options above don’t work for your cat, there are still plenty of great alternatives out there. Here are some of the other highly rated beds we discovered when seeking out the right calming bed options for every cat.
4. Furhaven Polar Fleece (Alternative Budget Pick)
Versatile and sturdy, this cave-style pet bed is a fantastic choice for people on a budget. It comes in a range of colors to suit your home and has a wide opening to provide easy access to your cat.
The enclosed foam walls help to promote relaxation, by making your cat feel safer and more secure. Inside, there’s also a removable base cushion, with insulating polar fleece for the winter.
This cat bed is easy to care for, thanks to a machine-washable range of materials. Plus, it folds down into a compact shape for travel.
Pros
Cons
5. Calming Cat Bed Etsy (Alternative Donut)
If you’re looking for a comforting donut-shaped bed where your kitty can curl up comfortably for the perfect nap, this is a good alternative to our overall winner
We include it because we found the quality to be pretty much as good as the Best Friends by Sheri whilst it has slightly different sizing.
Cute, modern, and trendy, this product looks fantastic, and it feels great for your cat too.
The beds are cushioned with an orthopedic filling, making them great for kitties with joint and muscle pains.
The soft faux fur material mimics the experience of and the sleeping positions with other cats for your kitten while keeping them warm throughout the night.
The raised rims are also excellent for relieving anxiety, by giving them a secure nesting space.
Pros
Cons
6. Nepfaivy Calming Cat Bed
Another phenomenal donut-shaped cat bed from the main competitor to our number one pick.
The main difference between the two is that this Nepfaivy has a slightly different faux fur material that has a slightly longer but less tight pile. It still feels incredibly fluffy though.
Additionally, we felt that the donut part in the middle was perhaps a little deeper than the Best Friends by Sheri.
Regardless this cuddly product is perfect for small dogs and cats alike.
Available in a range of colors to suit your home design, the plush product comes with a raised rim to deliver excellent head and neck support.
The materials also absorb heat naturally, to keep your kitty warm during the winter months.
Safe and durable, this product features entirely pet-safe materials, as well as a luxurious filling for extra joint and muscle support.
As we said the faux fur on this donut bed is slightly different in texture (which you and your cat may prefer) and, as with the other donut beds we tried, it does a good job of mimicking the experience of sleeping with other animals.
Pros
Cons
7. GASUR Rectangle Anti-anxiety Bed
Specially designed to deliver some much-needed comfort for your anxious cat, this orthopedic bed is brimming with padding to provide joint and muscle support.
The warm and fleecy lining is great for offering a relaxing experience to your kitty, while the raised walls around the center provide a sense of protection and security.
Machine washable, this product is easy to maintain, and clean.
It also comes with a covered blanket-like section, which allows your cat to burrow in and hide toward the back of the bed if they feel nervous.
Pros
Cons
8. Windracing Round Donut Cat Bed
This bed calls itself a ‘calming donut bed’ but it’s not like the three soft-shaped faux fur ones we’ve already looked at.
This extra-deep donut bed has a more rigid (yet still very flexible) design with clearly defined walls that provides a safe and comforting place for your cat to relax when they’re feeling anxious.
These extra-high walls offer a sense of security and comfort, as well as give your kitty somewhere to rest its head for extra neck support.
The high-quality materials throughout this product ensure it can stand the test of time while looking fantastic in your home. It’s also fully washable and has a removable inner cushion.
There’s also a non-skid bottom, so it won’t slide around if your cat decides to run and jump into their bedding.
Pros
Cons
9. Kitty City Large Cat Hiding Tunnel Bed
Not all calming cat beds are donut-shaped for curling up in. And, sometimes, cats need a place to hide away when they’re feeling anxious. This take on the anti-anxiety bed takes the donut and turns it into a tunnel! A design that is excellent for those kitties looking to really hideaway and snuggle down.
The design is a zip-together combination of both a cozy donut-shaped bed and a play tunnel.
Your cat can choose whether they want to snuggle into the plush cushion in the middle, with raised walls on all sides, or hide in the tunnel itself.
Not only is this product great for anxious cats, but it also offers a great source of fun for your kitty when they’re looking for an opportunity to play.
The tunnel area doesn’t have any bedding of its own so it’s not as comfortable as the center but if you like this idea you could throw some blankets in there to make it as snuggly as the central bed.
Pros
Cons
10. Bedsure Foldable Cat Cave with Cat Scratch Pad
We included this Bedsure cat cave in our picks for best cat cave because it’s so versatile, but it is also very much a calming cat bed because your cat can get inside and hide away.
The design is a foldable cat cube made from solid MDF and wrapped in an attractive resilient fabric with a bonus sisal scratching pad fixed to one side. There’s also a play ball in the entrance to the cave that most cats will either ignore or destroy…
It has a second area on top where your (or another) cat can sleep, which makes it a great choice for a two-cat household. One inside the cube away from activity and one on top. The design and MDF construction mean this bed can easily cope with 20lbs of cats sitting on it.
There are two removable and washable mats, one being a fur fleece and the other a sherpa wool. It’s all washable apart from the MDF structural pieces.
Our cats really liked the security of the cave area, but they also liked to sit on the top of the cushion. That means it gives you and your cats the security or the observing option depending on where they settle.
Pros
Cons
11. Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Deep Dish Cuddler
From the same company as our overall top pick, this is definitely a calming cat bed that you should consider.
It’s made from a shorter but very comfortable plush and although it’s circular it’s not a donut bed. Instead, this bed is designed as a ‘deep snuggler’.
It achieves this by letting your cat really sink down into the center and will help them feel secure with the raised rear wall and high sides, whilst the front wall is a perfect chin rest.
The filling is a special lofting fiber that keeps its puffed-up support for longer whilst molding to whatever sleeping position your cat adopts for maximum security and comfort.
This calming pet bed is fully washable and has a non-slip underside. The standard size is perfect for all but the most massive cats.
If you like the quality of Sheri beds but aren’t keen on their donut design then this could be the perfect pick for your cat - anxious or not!
Pros
Cons
12. Lazy Rabbit Fluffy Calming Self-Warming Cat Bed
Just because this is the last in our list of calming cat beds, don’t dismiss it. This Lazy Rabbit donut-style bed is well worth your consideration.
The only reason it rounds off our group test rather than featuring higher up is that we wanted to give some non-donut designs some attention as well.
This bed, though, is a winner!
It is a donut-type design but the addition of two ears both makes it look cute like a cat’s head but also provides that higher rear wall to give a feeling of an enclosure to your cat.
The pile of the faux fur in this bed is also longer than in some of the others and really does have a soft luxurious feel. And, of course, it will do its job of calming an anxious cat.
The loft filling is of premium quality and holds the bed’s shape and comfort well and we also noticed that when testing this bed seemed to hold our cat’s body heat very well.
It’s fully washable and has a waterproof and non-slip base. Much liked by all our cats and highly recommended. Although the 20” size in most designs is big enough for most cats, the Lazy Rabbit’s sides are so well stuffed that we suggest going for the larger size (24”) for most cats.
That said the 24” version can feel a little too big for some cats, so do have a good look before deciding. You want it to be just snug enough without your cat hanging over the side but not too roomy so they don’t get the security of a snug fit.
You can buy this with or without an additional blanket. You don’t need it and we suggest going without unless your cat likes to be covered as well as snuggly.
Pros
Cons
Read this next: 18 Best Heated Cat Beds (For Every Budget And Type Of Cat!)
Calming Cat Bed Buyers Guide
Most cats can sleep just about anywhere with a certain degree of comfort. However, if you have a particularly anxious cat, you may find they prefer a specific type of environment when they’re ready to rest.
When choosing a bed for an anxious cat, it’s important to think carefully about their behavior.
For instance, a cat who prefers to run and hide when they’re feeling nervous might look for a cave-style bed with plenty of protection from the outside world.
Types of Calming Cat Bed
Calming cat beds come in a range of shapes, sizes, and styles to suit different needs. For instance, some give your feline friend a good place to hide when they’re feeling nervous, while others focus on delivering a combination of warmth and comfort.
The most common options include:
What Makes a Bed a Calming Cat Bed?
There’s no one-size-fits-all for creating the ultimate calming cat bed. In most cases, these beds are designed to provide your kitty with a combination of comfort, and security.
Raised walls and enclosed areas can provide your cat with a sense of protection, making them feel safer and more secure. At the same time, self-warming capabilities offer a sense of consistent comfort.
A calming cat bed can also come with materials intended to replicate the feeling of being curled up next to a mother cat, or siblings. Soft faux-fur coverings are particularly popular for nervous cats.
The design of the bed is also intended to be extremely comfortable, so your cat can curl up and enjoy excellent softness and support as they sleep.
Why Do Some Cats Need Calming or Anti-Anxiety Beds?
As mentioned above, not every cat will need a specific type of bed to get a good rest. Many can sleep just about anywhere with no problem.
However, cats can suffer from anxiety which manifests in the form of consistent meowing, aggression, and even spraying outside of the litter box.
If a cat is experiencing anxiety, either temporarily, or as part of their general disposition, the best option is often to provide them with a place where they can feel safe for sleep.
Read this next: Best Cat Hammock: Macrame, Window, Tower And Bed Options
FAQs
What is a cat calming bed?
A calming cat bed is a bed specifically designed to ease your cat’s feelings of anxiety and provide them with a sense of security and comfort.
These products can come in a range of styles to suit cats with different types of anxiety.
Do calming cat beds work?
Calming cat beds can be very beneficial for kitties with issues regarding anxiety. However, it may take some time to find the style of bed best suited for your feline friend.
Make sure you consider the behavior and preferences of your cat carefully.
What is the best thing for calming cats?
All cats respond to anxiety in different ways. If you notice symptoms of nervousness in your furry friend, the best option is to get advice from a vet.
In some cases, you may be able to take simple actions to reduce anxiety, like buying a calming cat bed. In other cases, medication may be necessary to manage symptoms.
What kind of calming beds do cats like the most?
The calming cat bed with the best results for your kitty will depend on several factors, including their personal preferences.
There’s no one-size-fits-all here. However, donut beds and cave-style beds have had excellent results for a lot of pet owners.
Read this next: Best Cat Radiator Bed: Can You Put A Cat Bed On A Radiator?
Best Calming Cat Bed: The Verdict
If you’re struggling with the side effects of a nervous cat, a calming cat bed could be the perfect solution.
We highly recommend the Best Friends by Sheri original donut bed as our number one choice, thanks to its fantastic levels of support and comfort, as well as its unique design.
The donut shape comforts and reassures your feline friend, while the faux fur coating mimics the experience of being curled up next to a mother cat.
But, even more so, simply because every cat we know has hopped in and fallen in love with theirs!