Some cats sleep sprawled out in the middle of the living room floor like they own the place. Others want to be tucked away somewhere they can’t be seen from across the room. Both are completely normal — and it’s a big part of why “covered” and “open” cat beds both exist as real, distinct categories rather than one being a simple upgrade of the other.
Here’s how to figure out which style actually fits your cat, rather than guessing based on which looks nicer in your living room.
What Covered Beds Actually Offer
A covered or hooded bed, like PawNest’s cozy covered nest bed, gives a cat an enclosed space with visibility limited to one entrance. For cats that are naturally more cautious, easily startled, or living in a busy multi-pet or multi-person household, this kind of den-like structure can genuinely lower stress — it mimics the tucked-away spots cats instinctively seek out, like under furniture or inside a box. It also holds body heat better, which matters more once the house starts cooling down in fall.
What Open Beds Actually Offer
An open bed, like a plush donut-style bed, gives a cat full visibility in every direction while still offering a raised rim to curl against. Confident, social cats — especially ones that like to keep an eye on household activity or prefer sleeping somewhere central rather than tucked away — often prefer this style. It’s also easier to see, clean, and monitor, which matters if your cat is a senior or has a health condition you’re keeping an eye on.
Reading Your Cat’s Actual Preference
The clearest signal is watching where your cat already chooses to sleep when given the option. A cat that regularly climbs into boxes, closets, under the bed, or behind the couch is telling you something — a covered bed is likely to get used, while an open one might get ignored in favor of the couch cushion crevice they’ve already claimed. Conversely, a cat that sprawls on top of the highest, most visible surface in the room (a cat tree perch, a windowsill, the back of the sofa) is more likely to gravitate toward an open design.
Multi-Cat Households
In homes with more than one cat, covered beds can help reduce tension by giving a more anxious or lower-confidence cat a place to retreat where it doesn’t feel watched or approached from multiple angles. If you have cats with very different personalities, offering one of each style rather than committing to a single bed type for the whole household is often the more practical approach.
A Few Practical Trade-Offs
Covered beds are naturally warmer, which is a plus for cooler months but can be less appealing to a cat in a warm room or a naturally heat-sensitive breed. They can also be slightly harder to keep an eye on if you’re monitoring an unwell or senior cat’s sleep and appetite. Open beds are easier to clean and watch, but offer less of the enclosed security some cats specifically seek out. Neither is objectively better — it comes down to the individual cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
My cat hides constantly. Does that mean they need a covered bed?
Often, yes — cats that already seek out enclosed hiding spots are usually the best candidates for a covered bed, since it offers that same security in a dedicated, comfortable spot rather than a closet floor.
Can I offer both types and let my cat choose?
Yes, and it’s a reasonable way to figure out a genuine preference, especially if you have the space. Many households end up keeping one of each once they see which one actually gets used.
Will a kitten prefer one style over the other?
Kittens often gravitate toward covered, den-like spaces early on, though preference can shift as they mature and become more confident in their environment.
Is a covered bed harder to clean than an open one?
Not usually, as long as the cover is removable and machine-washable. Our guide to washing and caring for a pet bed covers the process for both styles.
Related Articles
- How to Choose the Right Pet Bed for Your Dog or Cat: A Buying Guide
- How to Wash and Care for Your Dog’s or Cat’s Bed (Without Ruining It)
- Cat Stress and Anxiety: Signs and How to Help at Home
See both styles side by side in PawNest’s beds & furniture collection.