Another fussy cat!

Good luck Shelflife! In my experience you can’t entice a cat to do anything! Maybe you could cut off some of the old bed or take out the cushion and put it in the new one? Put a little heated blanket in it? She might snuggle up when you least expect it.

What about a cardboard box - just joking!

I had many cats over 40 years (got one now), tried various different beds but found the cats preferred cushions or blankets to sleep on.

My experience, after having been ruled by about ten different cats over the years, is that this is typical cat behaviour.

Let's face it, their willfulness is part of their charm.

Have you tried putting the bed close to a radiator? It worked occasionally with my last cat, but she preferred my double bed.

The previous cat also preferred my bed, but halfway down, it was under the duvet. I have no idea how he felt comfortable and did not suffocate.

Spraying with catnip may help.
It didn’t with mine. They are fussy little devils!

Borrow another cat to try it out - if someone else is using it she'll probably decide it's hers & they can't!

When mine refused I put the bed in the hut and now the neighbours cat sleeps there.

I appreciate your replies. As I unpacked the new bed it did cressmy mind she may prefer the box it arrived in! I will put the old cushion in and persevere for longer. If she is still reluctant I will reintroduce her old bed. I agree it is typical cat behaviour ! She is such an amazing cat and so loved but she definitely knows her own mind !!

Cross my mind 🤣

Is there a detachable cushion in the old bed? Could you put it in the new bed until the cat gets used to it?

That is my plan Cold , 🤞

Put an unwashed item of your clothing in the new bed. She will smell you and be relaxed.

Thank you all for your thoughtful ideas. We have success! I rubbed the old cushion on her new one and this morning I found her sitting pretty in her new bed. Think I can finally bin the original!!

Thank you Sparklefizz that was a great idea - hadn't thought of that .

And if that doesn't work, throw the igloo away and leave the box, the money I have wasted on cat beds and blankets over the years doesn't bear thinking about. 🤣🤣

Good to know it's not just my cat Bridie!

I suspect cats work far more by smell than we do. New clothes always seem to have an aroma that disappears gradually or after it is washed. The same could apply to new cat beds.

I love cats and find they generally sleep where they like. Most of my cats have slept on my bed and sometimes try on top of me. My daughter’s cat is particularly partial to the “I’m going to sit on you” routine. I can’t shut the door as she just tears up the carpet attempting to get in. She’s lovely really.

Anyway so glad you’ve solved the bed problem.

Give puss time to get to know the new bed. Ours was deeply suspicious of a new bed we got him but, after a while, tried it out and now loves it.

Cats are incredible amazing creatures!

Let her keep her old bed, but stand the new one in some nice warm place and see what happens.

I am reminded of my aunt who gave me a new teddy bear when I was seven, because she thought the one I had had since my christening was worn out!

I still have both teddies, and I am now 73.

We bought our three cats a lovely "cat sofa" each. They look lovely and were expensive! They all ignored them for about 3 weeks and then suddenly all loved then and sleep on them now almost all day long in a little row.

My cat loves getting on freshly washed, ironed sheets, so maybe put something cool and cotton and smooth in it?

Our cat sleeps on anything we sit on, or on our bed or creeps under the duvet with us. He likes sleeping under blankets or cushions too.

We bought him a nice ceramic bed which heats up (online from Germany) with a cushion on it but he won't use it... I can't sit on it in case it breaks.🙄 Maybe I should put a cushion on it that has his own smell...