The lonely cat-bed of previous weeks was bothering me. It was a perfectly good cat-bed, with a heated pad in it, going to waste. I had switched it with the other cat-bed and, in its new position, it was used, just as its twin had been. So it was the location that was the problem. I had been going to remove the heating pad and place it under the towel in the library, a spot Josie enjoys, if no one was going to use the lonely cat-bed. But I decided to try another strategy.
I moved the cat-bed to a less hidden spot. Though all the cats had known where it was, in its corner - in fact, Cammie had spent much time there last winter - the location seemed to be a deterrent now. I placed the bed in front of a bookcase instead. For several days nothing happened. I watched as Tucker now and then sniffed at it, then moved on.
Yesterday, however, I came home to see Cammie in the bed. Indeed, she seemed so comfortable there that she didn’t get up immediately to come and greet me, which she usually does. Later in the evening, she returned to the cat-bed in its new position.
The princess, who seems to be the most frequent habituée of the heated beds, didn’t spend all night in it, and won’t be there all the time on any other day. But she knows that the cat-bed is there, and that it is heated. She is not afraid to use it, and that is what I was hoping to achieve. Once a cat is aware of something, she likely won’t forget it. Cammie, if no one else, will use both cat-beds and, if one of her roommates uses one, she will probably use the other.
The weather has grown colder this week, and we’ve had freezing temperatures, seasonal for November, but different than what we have been experiencing so far. I am pleased to know that, on cold days and colder nights, my beasts will have another comfy spot in which to snooze.
It's good to see someone use it. Would that they could tell us outright what their preferences are -- it would make life with cats so much easier. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey both look quite happy! I bet the headed cat cup feels good with the cooler weather!
ReplyDeletego Cammie - keeping all the warms. it is supposed to get cold here starting tomorrow....maybe Mo will get lucky and mom will break out the space heater
ReplyDeleteI am always a bit nervous about using a heated cat bed, leaving something electrical on overnight makes me worry about fire. Also I try to keep the power down. Still maybe next winter I might see about getting one, especially as Miss pops gets older I can see how comfortable and cozy they would be. I just have a feeling that I would buy one and she would refuse to sleep in it.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that Cammie figured out your arrangement quickly. I think they like us refreshing things for them, and I often move quilts around the house that Poppy likes to sleep on.
Have a nice weekend.
The type of heating pads I have are very dependable. When the cold weather comes, I plug them in for months at a time, literally. They don't go off. Maybe they should, but they last that long. When Tungsten was still with me, I kept the heating pad in the bed she preferred on all the time, because her health was declining, and she was always skinny to begin with.
DeleteOh, it looks like Cammie has found her spot. I'm sure with winter coming the heated cat bed will get plenty of use. I've been placing a heating pad on Jessica's bed at night, and she loves it. She's 16 years old, so I'm sure the additional warmth makes her feel more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI originally got mine for Tungsten; she was such a thin little thing, and then she sickened. She loved her heated bed, just as Jessica does.
DeleteIt is funny how cats think something is new when you move it to a new spot :)
ReplyDeleteLocation makes all the difference. Flynn's hammock was to the right of the cat tree which is to the right of the woodburner. I moved it to the left side so he would be in a nice warm spot beside my recliner. He refused to use it there, so now it is back in it's original place and he is happy again.
ReplyDeleteCats will tell us when they want to change; it's apparently not our decision. The most frustrating and loveable of creatures...
DeleteYou asked how the cat camera worked. There was a setting on the back to take a photo either every minute or every 5 minutes and the camera automatically took the photos. I had it set for every 5 minutes. As you can imagine, I had to delete a lot of photos of grass, sky or earth. The camera is very light and I was surprised that neither of the boys objected to wearing it.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was something like that, but I too would be surprised that cats don't mind it. Thank you.
DeleteBoth beasties look very comfortable in their respective pieces of furniture. It is good for them to have a variety of beds and assorted comfy spots to enjoy. Jessica loved her beds and used all her beds. Holly has no interest in anything but my bed. But I did find her one morning settled in my comfy chair.
ReplyDeleteIn the real estate world and cat bed placement , it's all about location, location, location.
ReplyDeleteSecluded, but not too, good views, easy access to food and toys and , oh yes, sun puddles.
I first heard about warming pads for cats from your blog. My seniors love them! And even though I keep my house crazy hot, they seem to especially appreciate the localized warmth on their tired, old joints. But only if the bed is in a preferred location.
Yes, it doesn't seem to matter how warm the home or day is, cats love their extra heat. I do unplug the pads in the high summer, though I left Tungsten's on all-year. But as my lot age, they will have their heat when they want it.
DeleteGlad to see simply moving the cat bed was enough to encourage Cammie to use it. Sasha and Saku occasionally use (and fight) over the cat beds in the basement...where they can be close to my son... only Sasha uses the one in my bedroom. Sami has yet to sleep in a cat bed, she has a box with a blanket in it that she's used since last Christmas. I remember because it is a box a gift I ordered came in.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely getting colder here too. A little snow yesterday morning, but no real precipitation in the forecast.
Have a good weekend!
Well dat's pawsum. Me thinks we would use a heated cat bed ifin it was available. MOL
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Raena
You take such good care of your cats. Growing up we had two Siamese cats. As they aged my Dad would put a heating pad on their bed in the winter and the cats would spend a good part of the day there. Glad Cammie found the bed!
ReplyDeleteLocation is everything
ReplyDeleteWe are glad to hear that Cammie is using the heated bed in its new location. We love our heated bed!
ReplyDelete