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Shopping for a wool cat bed can feel more complicated than it should be. Beyond color and price, the two decisions that matter most are shape (cave or cocoon) and size, and getting either wrong is the most common reason a new bed goes untouched. Here’s how to get both right the first time.
What’s the Difference Between a Cave and a Cocoon?
Both styles are hand-felted from a single piece of wool with no seams, but they serve different instincts.
A cave bed has one larger open side, giving your cat a partial view of the room while they rest. It suits cats who like to observe their surroundings, dart out quickly if startled, or simply prefer not to feel fully closed in. Caves also work well for small dogs, who tend to enjoy the same semi-open den shape.
A cocoon bed is more fully enclosed, with just a smaller entrance. It appeals to cats who actively seek out hiding spots: the ones you find inside cardboard boxes, under blankets, or squeezed into drawers. If your cat already disappears into small, dark spaces to nap, a cocoon will likely be an instant hit.
Sizing Guide
Wool felt beds are handmade to hold their shape, so sizing up “just in case” usually backfires, an oversized bed loses the snug, secure feeling that makes cats want to use it in the first place. Use your cat’s weight as the starting point:
- XS (~12″ / 30cm): small kittens and pocket pets only
- S (~16″ / 40cm): cats around 4.4-13.2 lbs (2-6 kg)
- M (~18″ / 45cm): cats around 13.2-19.8 lbs (6-9 kg)
- L (~20″ / 52cm): cats around 17.6-22 lbs (8-10 kg), or two cats sharing
If your cat is between sizes, or you’re buying for a household with multiple cats of different sizes, our FAQ page has the full breakdown, and custom sizing is always available on request.
Multi-Cat Households
Cats are territorial about sleeping spots more often than people expect. If you have more than one cat, it’s usually worth having at least one bed per cat rather than assuming they’ll share, even if they get along well. An L-size cocoon can comfortably fit two cats who already sleep curled up together, but two cats with separate routines will likely each want their own.
What About Small Dogs?
The cave design, in particular, works well for small dog breeds that enjoy den-like spaces, think Chihuahuas, small terriers, or dachshunds. The open front makes it easy for dogs to enter and exit compared to a fully enclosed cocoon.
Bringing It All Together
There’s no universally “better” option between cave and cocoon, it comes down to how your specific pet already likes to rest. Watch their current napping habits for a few days: hiding fully out of sight points to a cocoon, while resting somewhere they can still see the room points to a cave.
Every bed is hand-felted to order from OEKO-TEX certified wool, so sizing and color can be customized. Explore the full range of wool cat caves and cocoons to find the right fit.
