Every December, the same debate plays out in pet-owner group chats: does a Christmas cat bed actually get used, or does it just sit there looking cute while your cat naps in the gift-wrap pile instead? Having tested and re-tested a rotating cast of holiday cat beds for this guide, our answer for 2026 is that the festive print matters far less than the shape, warmth, and washability underneath it. The picks below are beds we’d recommend even without the seasonal cover — the holiday styling is just a bonus.
Our Top Christmas Cat Bed Picks for 2026
Furhaven Snuggery Burrow Cat & Dog Bed (Holiday Print)
- Snug burrow shape cats gravitate toward
- Machine washable cover
- Comes in several festive prints
- Runs small for bigger cats
- Not heated
Bedsure Christmas Plaid Cat Cave Bed
- Very affordable
- Enclosed dome cuts down on noise/light
- Lightweight and easy to move room to room
- Felt exterior shows dents over time
- Small interior for larger cats
K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Heated Cat Bed (Holiday Cover)
- Gentle, safe heating element
- Removable, washable holiday cover
- Great for cats with joint stiffness
- Needs to stay near an outlet
- Cover selection is more limited than unheated beds
MidWest Homes for Pets Holiday Plush Cat Bed
- Ultra-plush, sinkable filling
- Fits neatly on furniture or in crates
- Easy to wash and dries fast
- No sides for cats who like to lean
- Filling can flatten with heavy daily use
Kong Cozy Christmas Cat Bed
- Bolstered rim cats can rest their chin on
- Soft, low-maintenance fabric
- Compact footprint
- Bolster flattens faster than pricier beds
- Limited festive color options
Bedsure Igloo Cat Cave Bed with Pom-Pom Trim
- Fully enclosed for privacy-seeking cats
- Pom-pom trim is removable if it's not your style
- Insulated shell holds body heat well
- Interior is tight for cats over 12 lbs
- Not machine washable in one piece
What actually makes a Christmas cat bed worth buying
Most “Christmas cat beds” on Amazon are just a company’s standard cat bed with a red-and-green or plaid cover swapped in for the season. That’s not a bad thing — it means you can judge these the same way you’d judge any cat bed, and simply treat the holiday print as a nice-to-have. Here’s what we actually weigh when we’re deciding whether one of these beds earns a spot on this list.
Shape: cave, bolster, or flat pad
Cats are split roughly into two camps: burrowers who want to disappear into an enclosed cave, and sprawlers who want a flat, open surface with maybe a raised rim to lean on. If you don’t already know which type your cat is, a bolstered pad like the Kong Cozy or MidWest plush bed is the safer starting point. If your cat already sleeps in boxes, bags, or under blankets, spring for a cave-style bed like the Bedsure Igloo or Furhaven Snuggery instead.
Fabric and washability
Holiday prints see heavy traffic during a season full of shedding, muddy paws, and dropped food from countertop guests. Look for beds with a removable, machine-washable cover rather than a one-piece felt or foam shell you have to spot-clean. Plaid and knit covers tend to hold color better through repeated washes than cheap printed polyester, which can fade to a dull pink-and-olive by New Year’s.
Heat retention for winter
Even indoor cats seek out warmth more aggressively once temperatures drop, which is why a genuinely heated bed like the K&H Thermo-Kitty earns a permanent spot on our list every year. If a heated bed isn’t in the budget, look for a deep, enclosed cave shape that traps body heat, or a bed with a self-warming thermal layer built into the base.
Size relative to your cat
Cat beds run smaller than most shoppers expect, and holiday-print versions are often only available in one or two sizes. Measure your cat curled up in a loaf position and add a couple of inches in each direction; most cave beds and bolstered pads on this list fit cats up to about 12–15 pounds comfortably, with larger cats needing to size up or skip the cave shape entirely.
How we picked these beds for 2026
We prioritized beds that are genuinely in stock and shipping from mainstream Amazon sellers this season, favored covers that are removable and washable over glued-on decorative trim, and dropped any bed from last year’s roundup that had gone out of production or been replaced by a noticeably better version from the same brand. A couple of last year’s picks got swapped out for enclosed hideaway styles, since reader feedback pointed to more households wanting a quiet retreat option for cats during noisy holiday gatherings.
| Bed | Shape | Best For | Machine Washable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furhaven Snuggery Burrow | Hooded cave | Burrowing cats | Yes |
| Bedsure Christmas Plaid Cat Cave | Dome cave | Budget shoppers | Cover only |
| K&H Thermo-Kitty Heated Bed | Flat heated pad | Cold sleepers, seniors | Cover only |
| MidWest Holiday Plush Bed | Flat pad | Cats who dislike enclosures | Yes |
| Kong Cozy Christmas Bed | Bolstered nest | Lightweight, low-maintenance use | Yes |
| Bedsure Igloo Cave with Pom-Pom | Fully enclosed igloo | Shy cats during parties | Trim only |
Placement tips for the holidays
Where you put a Christmas cat bed matters almost as much as which one you buy. Keep it away from the tree’s water reservoir and any string lights your cat could chew, and avoid placing it directly under an HVAC vent, since a cold draft will undo any warmth the bed provides. A spot near (but not touching) a radiator, sunny window, or the general flow of holiday foot traffic tends to get adopted fastest, since cats generally want to be near the action without being underfoot.
Related buying guides
Ready to shop?
See current pricing and availability on our top Christmas cat bed pick.
Check price on AmazonDo heated cat beds use a lot of electricity?
No, heated cat beds like the K&H Thermo-Kitty use a low-wattage heating element designed to run continuously and safely, similar in draw to a nightlight.
Will my cat actually use a bed with an enclosed cave shape?
It depends on your cat’s personality. Cats that already sleep in boxes, bags, or under blankets tend to take to cave-style beds quickly, while cats that prefer to watch the room usually do better with a flat, open pad.
Are the holiday prints and covers removable if I want to use the bed year-round?
On most of these beds, yes. Covers on beds like the Furhaven Snuggery and MidWest Holiday Plush are removable and washable, and several brands sell matching non-holiday covers separately once the season ends.
What size cat bed should I buy?
Measure your cat curled into a loaf shape and add a couple of inches in each direction. Most beds on this list comfortably fit cats up to about 12 to 15 pounds; larger cats should size up or choose a flat pad instead of a cave.
Is a Christmas cat bed safe to leave under the tree?
Keep any cat bed a few feet from the tree’s water reservoir, ornaments, and string lights, since curious cats may chew or knock things over from a nearby bed.
How do I clean a cat cave bed that isn’t fully machine washable?
Most cave beds have a removable, washable cover with a separate foam or felt shell that should only be spot-cleaned and air-dried to avoid warping.
Do cats actually care about the pattern or color of their bed?
Not really. Cats respond to shape, texture, warmth, and scent far more than color or print, which is why the holiday styling is best treated as a bonus rather than the main selling point.
When is the best time to buy a Christmas cat bed?
Shopping in early to mid-November typically offers the widest size and print selection, though many of these styles stay in stock through the holidays as everyday cat beds once the seasonal covers sell through.
Sophie Laurent
Sophie Laurent is TalkBeds' Beds & Bedroom Editor. With more than ten years covering home and furniture, she leads everything on the site that isn't the mattress itself: bed frames, platform beds, headboards, bunk and kids' beds, sizing, and the interiors decisions… Full profile & sources →