Everyone knows that cats simply love lazing about in the sun. They do it all the time. If I could do it all the time I probably would too, seems like a pretty sweet deal. This is an awesome video of my cat Lexi enjoying her cat window bed more than I’ve ever enjoyed any bed ever:
Not only do cat window beds provide a wonderful place to sleep, they have the benefit of not taking up space on the floor like a cat castle. If you’re cramped for space (I’m looking at you city dwellers) then a cat window bed can be a very wise investment.
You’ll also be providing a nice solid view of the great outdoors for your feline friend. If your cat normally sleeps all day on your bed and keeps you up at night then a window bed might help alleviate this behavior.
When your cat is in the window they’ll be watching everything that passes by with a keen eye ensuring that when the lights go out later they’ll be ready to sleep. If they still don't sleep at night check out these 17 tips to help get your cat to sleep when you do.
So if you’re looking for an awesome way to let your cat relax in the sun then check out a quick rundown of the best window beds on the market.
The Best cat window beds Quick Guide | |
|---|---|
Key Highlight | Product Name |
Best Overall | |
Most Weight | |
Folds Flush to Window | |
Chillest Sill | |
Most Unique | |
Best Multi Cat | |
Best Value | |
Steel Frame | |
Most Versatile | |
Most Affordable | |
Most Luxurious | |
Additional Information | |
The Top Cat Window Beds
The Original Kitty Cot
There’s a reason this window bed tops the list, it is the first of its kind and they have continued to improve it over the years to ensure they provide a top of the line product. It is hands down the most reliable standard window bed on the market and is rightly dubbed the ‘Worlds Best Cat Window Bed’ by the creator.
The Original Kitty Cot does a stellar job of providing your cat a spot to relax in the sun, there’s really no reason to look elsewhere unless you have a uniquely shaped window or a different need like a multi cat window bed. The key features of the Kitty Cot include:
"Makes my cat feel just like Alladin on a magic carpet ride!
The Ultimate Cat Perch
This is The Ultimate Cat Perch. And to be clear, while it is awesome, that is its name, not my opinion on it! This perch provides the same kind of space for a cat to sleep on, but notice the support comes from underneath the bed instead of on top of the bed. This is what makes it a perch as opposed to a typical window bed.
Key features worth noting are:
"Excellent design and doesn't even sag one bit with my 20 pound Maine Coon hanging out in it"
Lower Support Cat Bed
The real claim to fame on this particular bed is that it is supported from below, instead of above, which also means it can easily fold up against the window. This means that the bulk of the strain and weight is pushed downward against the window instead of pulling downward on the suction cups above.
While not a huge different in overall functionality it does remove the ability for your cat to push against the suction cup chords/bars while they are sleeping on or laying in the bed which can help decrease the likelihood of the cat pulling the suction cups off.
Key features worth paying attention go:
"My big fluff ball absolutely loves it, and if it can hold him it can hold anything!"
K&H EZ Mount Window Sill
K&H Manufacturing has totally changed the game when it comes to window mounted beds. The most traditional form was always a few suction cups and a cloth fabric on a PVC frame.
K&H really broke the mold when they took one single piece of plastic and simply attached the whole thing right to the window with a couple of suction cups. On top of this the sill is pretty darn comfy for cats. Let’s take a look at key features:
"My cat saw this and thought to himself 'If I fits, I sits.' and that's what he did.
K&H EZ Mount Window Pod
As mentioned above, K&H has really changed the game up when it comes to window beds for cats. This one isn’t so much a bed so much as it is a pod or a bubble that is attached to create a fully enclosed space for your cat to relax in.
Very similar to the other version, this mounts on most any window with a set of super high quality suction cups, the key difference here is that it your cat will be mostly shut off from anything indoors and can totally focus up on what’s going on outside. Key features include:
"Nice and roomy, even my Ragdoll fits in without problem, but my 4 month old kitten loves it most!
K&H Double Stack Window Sill
Now this is where the real fun comes in, K&H has taken things to a whole new level with this particular model. The other window beds above all only have a single level. This particular model has a base level and then a second layer on top.
You could consider it a Duplex Up for those of you that are city dwellers. On top of this, it is designed to handle a massive amount of weight so it could easily accommodate two cats without problem. Key features include:
"The perfect fit for our multi cat home, no more battles over who gets to look out the window and be comfy!
Sunny Seat Cat Bed
The Sunny Seat Cat Cat Bed is designed for cats large and small. It will make your cat love you far more than they currently do, especially if you live in a place where your windows provide a good view in the sun.
Living in a garden unit in Chicago, this bed lets both of my cats see out the window up at street level. This keeps them entertained when I’m not around because they have people, birds, dogs & even other cats to keep an eye on. This bed is loaded with great features to keep your cat happy and safe:
"Meowwwww. We love this bed!
-Lexi and Beast (my cats) - See below for pictures of them using it!
Co-Z Kitty Window Mount Bed
The CO-Z Kitty Window Bed is a slight variation on a common design. They key difference that CO-Z Kitty brings to the table is in the material of the frame and the actual bedding. This particular bed has a very nice steel frame in comparison to many of the beds on the market that are made of PVC.
Not only does this make it feel a lot more sturdy than its PVC counterparts, but it also carries a much higher weight capacity than the bulk of the beds on the market. The material the bedding is made of is also extremely durable to ensure it lasts for an extended period of time. Key features include:
Cat Scratcher Kitty Sill
If you’re looking for something even more novel than the other items K&H has brought to the market then you might consider this. The K&H EZ Mount Cat Scratcher is basically a combination of a window bed with a cardboard cat scratcher. In reality, the scratcher is the bed.
The scratcher hangs up very similar to other cat window beds, it uses a couple of suction cups and a lightweight frame. The key difference here is that this scratcher is also fully interchangeable with new ones as they get wrecked from use by your cat. Pretty darn cool idea! Key things included in this model:
"Nice and sturdy and both my cats love it, even at the same time!
Oster Suction Cup Mounted Cat Bed
The Oster Sunny Seat Window bed has a claim to fame of being able to hold up to fifty pounds, that is a heck of a lot of cat you’re dealing with if you need that kind of coverage. That of you’re definitely letting multiple cats into the window bed at the same time.
That being said, you’re not going to notice a heck of a lot of difference between this model and the Sunny Seat Listed above. They key difference is the weight limit. That being said, here are the key features:
K&H EZMount Penthouse
If you thought your cat was spoiled before, wait until you check out this penthouse window bed. Did I say penthouse? Yes I did! This window bed’s claim to fame is that it is by far the most luxurious of the beds on the entire market.
How you might ask? Well as you might be able to see from the picture here to the right it is a fully enclosed bed with multiple viewing portals out the sides. On top of this it has a nice ‘porch’ area for your cat to jump up and enter the penthouse, wouldn’t want your kitty tracking any dirt or litter into her gorgeous little home now would we?!
Key features include:
Additional Information
Why Should You Get a Window Perch for Your Cat?
Cats love sleeping in the sun and they also love looking out the window. Cat TV as many people call it. My cat Lexi absolutely loves lazing about in the window and watching people come by.
She has also picked up the hobby of bird watching from her window bed, it keeps her awake and engaged for hours at a time.
If you’re having issues with your cat staying up all night then a window bed, while counter intuitive, may actually help. You can consider installing bird feeders outside the window so your cat always has something to keep an eye on.
Essentially, window beds are a great way for your cat to stay engaged and alert.
On top of this you might also consider a window bed simply to get your cat’s bed up and off the floor or to keep your cat off the rest of your furniture. Cats love sleeping in high places and window beds provide an excellent view to help your cat feel safe!
Are Window Beds Safe For Cats?
After multiple years and multiple window beds I have had zero safety concerns. It is key to remember that each of the suction cups alone will hold the weight of a traditional house cat, so even if one of them lets go there’s still plenty of support for your kitty.
You’ll also want to verify you installed the bed properly before you let your cat into it. I highly recommend waiting for about 2 hours post installation before you let your cats use the bed.
This will make sure none of the suction cups slip off. If the suction cups to fall off then be sure to clean the window surface thoroughly with something like Windex and use a little water on the suction cups themselves to ensure they have firm suction.
You should also consistently check on the bed every couple of weeks to make sure that the suction cups are still securely attached to the window. If even one of them seems loose then take the whole bed down, clean the window, and reattach it.
Do note that over time suction cups will break down due to sun exposure. You’ll need to replace them after a few years as they will simply stop working as well as they used to. Be sure to check the bed constantly as noted above to make sure your kitties stay safe!
Will it Damage My Window?
The short of it is these window beds will not damage your window if you properly hang them. The most likely time you might end up damaging your window is while you are originally hanging the bed.
This is because you’ll be pushing firmly against the glass to get the suction cups to take.
The weight of the bed and a cat against a modern window is not likely to cause any damage. Just be careful when hanging the bed and you’ll be in great shape.
Ensure you aren’t pushing too hard against the glass when applying the suction cups. If you can open your window and press from both sides at the same time this makes it even easier.
I’ve used various beds on two of my front windows over the past 4 years and not run into a single problem with either window. Just be sure to measure your window before purchase, especially if you have a multi-pane window.
Wrapping it up on the Top Cat Window Beds
When you’re looking for the best cat window beds a lot of things probably come to mind. But the most important items on your mind are probably the safety of your cat and the integrity of your window.
You want your cat safe and you don’t want your window to get damaged in any way.
After testing multiple window beds I can honestly say the likelihood of damaging your window seems slim to none. My beds have had both of my cats in them several times and that’s a combined weight of over 20 pounds on a pretty consistent basis.
Unless you hang multiple beds on the same window and really overload it with weight you shouldn’t have trouble with the window.
This means you’re basically down to the safety of your cat as the key deciding factor. All of these beds are designed to hold way more weight than that of a single traditional domestic house cat.
Those of you with Maine Coons or much heavier cats will want to ensure you choose something rated to hold more weight like the K&H Double Decker or EZ Mount Sill.
No matter which bed you choose you should consistently check the status of the suction cups. Over time, especially in changing weather, they are bound to loosen and become unstable.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that sitting in the sun for several hours a day degrades every material out there, it doesn’t matter what it is. Be sure to test your bed every few weeks to ensure it seems stable and if you need to take it down and reset it after cleaning the window.
If you’ve got a window bed you’ve used and it isn’t listed here please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts.
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