Where to put a cat bed, and why it gets ignored

A cat that ignores a new bed is usually objecting to the location, not the product.

They want a view and a wall

Most cats settle where they can see the room but have something solid behind them. A bed in the middle of a floor gets ignored; the same bed in a corner, or on a shelf, gets used.

Off the traffic route

Hallways, doorways and the path to the kitchen are the worst places. Cats sleep where they will not be stepped over.

Warmth matters more than softness

A self-warming mat works by reflecting body heat, so it only works where the cat already lies. Put it where they sleep now rather than where you would like them to sleep.

Give it a week

New objects smell wrong. Putting a familiar blanket or a worn t-shirt in the bed for a few days usually settles it faster than anything else.