Can I use a dog bed for my cat?
It is not uncommon for households to have both dogs
and cats in their home. Despite what is seen on TV shows like Tom and Jerry,
these two animals tend to get along fine provided they are both well
socialized and recognize their “place” in the household.
When you have both of these animals inside of your
house, you may occasionally want to utilize items that you gave to one
animal for another animal. A great example of this is with dog beds. Perhaps
you purchased a new dog bed or decided your canine did not need theirs –
regardless, if you have a dog bed you no longer need, and you have a cat,
you may be tempted to give the dog bed to the cat.
Differences Between Cat Beds and Dog Beds
As far as the differences between cat beds and dog
beds, there are very few. One of the only differences is that dog beds tend
to be larger, and therefore are a greater waste of space when using it for a
feline. Other differences include:
·
Less Preferential Design – Though the
beds don’t NEED to be different, cats do prefer beds that are higher up,
have scratching posts, or have enclosures.
·
May Not Be Ready for Cats – Some dog
beds also could not handle the scratching that some cats do on a regular
basis, making them less ideal.
Otherwise the beds are roughly similar, and there
are a variety of dog beds that are sold as “pet beds’ for this very reason.
Problems With Dog Beds for Cats
That said, there are some problems that could occur
when you give your dog bed to your cat – especially if you are giving a hand
me down bed. One of the biggest problems that may occur is that your dog, if
it sees itself as above the cat in the pecking order, will not take kindly
to a cat sleeping on the bed it “owns.” Even if you buy it a newer, better
bed, their previous bed will likely still “belong” to them.
In addition, the bed no doubt has a great deal of
the dog’s scent, and that may cause the cat to not want to sleep on the bed
with any regularity. All animals use scent to tell whether or not they are
going to be safe where they are, and if the dog smell is all over the bed,
your cat may not be comfortable.
Finally, things like size, stamina, and whether or
not the bed fits your cat’s needs is always going to be an issue. Cats can
rip some of the weaker dog beds to shreds in a matter of moments, and they
do also tend to be fairly large for a cat’s needs (since cats often sleep in
a ball).
Overall, there is nothing stopping you from giving
a dog bed to your cat. But recognize that they are not always ideal, and
depending on the pecking order within your family, they could pose a
behavioral problem.
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