How to Train a Cat to Sleep in Its Own Bed

1 Training Steps

A comfortable bed comes first. In cold weather add a warm spot or a small blanket so the cat will not seek warmth elsewhere.

Block the bed: keep the bedroom door closed. If the cat heads to your bed, give a firm ‘no’ and carry it back to its own bed. Repeat until the habit breaks. Training from kittenhood works best.

Right location: place the bed in a quiet, private area that gives the cat some independence, away from noisy hallways where it will lose interest.

Familiar scent: an old piece of your clothing or catnip, plus favorite toys, builds a positive feeling toward the bed.

Treats: use snack rewards to guide the cat and build a preference for sleeping in its bed.

2 Upkeep

Once the cat adapts, clean and disinfect the bed regularly. Cats are scent-sensitive and will abandon a bed that smells wrong or harbors bacteria, and cleaning also prevents infection.