Soft beds vs hammocks: which rest spot fits your cat

Two very different naps

A soft bed sits on the floor or the couch. A window hammock hangs on the glass or a frame. Both give a cat a dedicated rest spot, but they suit different cats and different homes. Plenty of households end up with both.

How your cat sleeps

Watch your cat for a few days.

Curlers tuck into a tight ball. They often like a round bed with raised sides.
Stretchers sprawl out long. A flat mat or a longer hammock suits them.
Sun seekers follow the light around the house. A window spot is a natural fit.
Hiders like a covered bed or a cave in a quiet corner.

Warmth

Soft beds win on cosiness. Deep sides and plush fabric hold body heat, which helps in winter and for older cats. A window hammock gets its warmth from the sun. That is lovely on a mild morning, but it can be too hot in summer afternoons and cool on grey days.

Age and mobility

Older cats, cats with stiff joints, and very young kittens usually do better with a low soft bed they can step into. A hammock suits cats that jump easily. If you like the hammock idea for an older cat, place a sturdy step or chair nearby so the climb is short.

Space and placement

Soft beds need floor or furniture space, and can move around the house.
Hammocks free up the floor and the sill, which helps in small flats.
Suction hammocks work on smooth glass and need regular cup checks.

Cleaning

Look for removable, washable covers on both. Beds collect more fur and dust because they sit low. Hammocks get sun, which helps them dry and stay fresh, but the fabric can fade over time.

Safety

For beds, check there are no loose threads or small parts. For hammocks, check the weight limit, press down on the bed before your cat tries it, and keep it away from open windows. Our window hammock guide covers mounting and glass types in more detail.

What we've ordered

We've ordered a window hammock and it's on the way. Once it arrives, we'll try it alongside the soft bed our cat already uses, to see which one wins on different days:

Window hammock with suction cups (Black)

A soft suction-cup bed for window glass, about 55 × 35 cm. Easy to move between sunny spots.

Mount: suction cups on clean, smooth glass

Size: about 55 × 35 cm

Colour shown: Black

We've ordered this to try at home and will share how it goes once it arrives and we've lived with it for a bit.

Quick way to choose

Cat loves windows and jumps well: try a hammock.
Cat is older, small, or loves to burrow: a soft bed first.
Not sure: put a soft bed near the window, then add a hammock later.

FAQ

Can a hammock replace my cat's bed?

For some cats it becomes the favourite spot, but most still like a floor bed for longer sleeps and cooler days.

Do hammocks suit heavier cats?

Only if the weight limit allows. Check the listing and give the bed a firm push test first.