For cats, one of their favourite pastimes is sleeping. They spend several hours a day snoozing and relaxing so one concern I often hear is ‘where will my cat sleep when they stay at The Great Catsby?’ Many cats often in bed sleep with their owners or at least in the same room. So being away from home can be worrying. How will your cat cope without their usually sleepy spot!
Cat’s are amazing, as we all know! And I find they usually adjust to the new sleeping arrangements without any issues. In fact, after a couple of days, they usually find a better sleeping spot.
Where can my cat sleep at The Great Catsby?
At The Great Catsby, I designed each room with a cat’s best interest in mind. I have a selection of beds and sleeping spaces carefully placed to meet their needs.
Every room has two beds attached to the wall. During the lockdown in April 2020 I spent some time updating the rooms. Previously some rooms had a hammock on the wall. But now every room has a snuggly wall bed.
The beds attached to the wall tend to be a big hit with most guests. Not only do they have a comfy spot to lounge around in but they are high up, where they feel safe and can assess the territory below. A cat will gravitate to places that are higher up, it’s a natural instinct and a survival skill. For cats, in the wild, they can spot incoming predators or their next meal scurrying about below them. For domesticated cats, they feel naturally safer higher up, although they won’t find any predators hanging around.
Along with the wall beds, there is also a bed under the window. Depending on the room your cat has it will either have a wooden bed to stretch out on a new luxury sofa (as of April 2020) or a bespoke teepee bed to curl up in.
The teepee beds were specially designed and built for The Great Catsby. Knowing that cats feel secure in small spaces the teepee provides a secure bed to those who like to hide or feel safer enclosed.
A high shelf also provides an extra resting space for those that like a birds-eye view of their surroundings.
If your cat needs any extra spaces then there is always the carrier they came in. I leave their carrier in their room for the whole stay. This provides an additional safe, secure space should your cat need it. Some cats prefer to sleep in their carrier for the first day or so until they find their feet. I don’t mind that they sleep in their carriers, I would prefer them to feel secure in a space they know so that they can build up their confidence.
How will my cats cope at night time?
Although they will be on their own during the night most cats cope well, even those not used to being alone. I spend a lot of time each day with the cats, playing, providing company, keeping them entertained and giving them a loving environment so that they can go to bed at night feeling fulfilled.
Overnight is when most of the cats are active, the more anxious and shy cats tend to come out. I often find little clues in the morning about their overnight antics. If the cats haven’t spotted the beds during the day then chances are they’ll find them at night time.
Can I bring my cat’s bed from home?
Yes of course. You are more than welcome to bring a bed from home. Not only will your cat recognise it as theirs but the bed will also smell of their home and you. Which can offer comfort to those that are a little anxious.
Having said that most of the cats that do bring their own bed tend to sleep in one of the wall beds as soon as they discover them. But there’s plenty of space for you to bring your own.
My cat doesn’t have a bed at home? What should I bring?
Don’t worry if your cat doesn’t have a bed at home. As I mentioned, there are lots of spaces for them to have a comfortable night’s sleep. If you do want to bring something to remind them of home then you can always bring a blanket, a t-shirt or even a cuddly toy.
How do you keep your beds clean?
After a cat has gone home the beds and the room is cleaned thoroughly. Firstly I remove all cat hair. I have a three-step system to get rid of any traces of fur from the previous guests. Once the hair has gone I wash the removable cushions and steam clean the rest of the furniture.
Can my cat get fleas from your beds?
Absolutely not!! In almost three years that I’ve been open, there has never been any fleas. All the cats that stay at The Great Catsby have lovely homes and are well looked after. As part of my license agreement with the local council, I have to check that regular flea and worming treatments are given. No cats have ever come to The Great Catsby with fleas. On top of my stringent checks, I also blast each room every 3 months with a flea spray, as a precaution. As the beds are cleaned and disinfected between use this also helps to maintain a flea-free zone.
So just to clarify your cat will have plenty of space to sleep at The Great Catsby. If you’re still not sure then come and have a look around and see where the other cats are sleeping.