Combine two of your cat's favorite things with these tips on keeping her warm and giving her a comfortable place to sleep.

When it comes to cats, there are two things to keep in mind regarding their comfort. First of all, they are heat-seeking animals, found often in a sunny spot next to a heat vent, but seldom in the path of a cold draft. Second, they sleep most of the day away, racking up as many as 16 sleep hours daily.

Instinctive heat-seeking behavior is displayed at birth, when facial temperature receptors enable your cat to find her mother even before she can open her eyes. As she ages, those receptors become more sensitive, making supplemental heat sources very important to her comfort and well-being, especially in senior arthritic cats. As far as her excessive sleep habits, the benchmarks of a content cat are warmth, security, and a full stomach - all of which are powerful sleep triggers.

Where and how she sleeps, however, can make a big difference in her comfort and overall health. This is especially true during cooler weather. While you sleep under an extra blanket, make sure your cat also gets the warmth she needs with a heated bed, pad, or perch, located away from outside doors, drafts, or under-insulated areas of your home.

Low wattage heated beds or pads warm to approximately 102°F, the average body temperature of most cats, or raise the bed temperature just a few degrees above the ambient room temperature, making them extremely inviting.

You've got many options for keeping your cat warm and toasty. She'll appreciate it even more if you give her a few options. Here are a few of our favorites.

The Self-Warming Nuzzle Nest features a thermo-reflective layer that gently warms your cat with her own body heat, while the center cushion and scalloped sides surround your cat with pillowy softness. The 100% polyester cover in bold leopard print grabs hair your cat sheds and keeps hair in one convenient, easy-to-clean spot. Super-soft polyfilled cat bed features a non-slip bottom.
For cats that love to go under blankets, Drs. Foster & Smith Hide-a-Way Bed enables cats to literally crawl under the covers to keep body heat in. MiracleLoft® polyfil provides support underneath and fluffy fleece surrounds her as she crawls under the attached blanket.
Ultra-soft Drs. Foster & Smith Cozy Cushion® contains a special thermo-reflective material that conserves your cat's body heat and reflects it back, warming her without electricity. Its heavy-duty plush fabric is machine washable.
The K&H Self-Warming Comfy Sleeper features a microsuede-style cover with an inner material that reflects your cat's body heat back to her and also holds heat like insulation. This cat bed's 1.5" foam side walls offer soothing support and security. Dipped front entrance eases access for kittens and older cats. Cover has an attached poly-filled center pillow and a non-slip bottom. The polyfil used in this bed is made from recycled plastic bottles.
Thermostatically controlled Indoor/Outdoor Heated Bed offers warmth only where pet lies. Energy efficient technology doesn't heat the entire surface of the bed. Bed warms to your pet's normal body temperature. Tough exterior protects inner orthopedic pad. Plus, unique air valve makes this bed fully adjustable. Includes a soft fleece cover and 5.5 ft steel wrapped chew-resistant MET-Listed cord.
K&H Self-Warming Kitty Bed is a hooded hideout and source of radiant heat - in one cozy bed. The soft polyfil cushion features self-warming material that works two ways: as insulation to capture heat and as a reflector that bounces heat back to the source. That means your cat's body heat is directed back to her. This bed has a zippered hood that is reinforced by a metal wire frame and can be removed if desired.
K&H Extreme Weather Heated Kitty Pad provides an essential source of warmth for any cat that spends time outdoors. Its internal thermostat warms to a cozy 102°F, providing a surface that is comfortable for cats even in the coldest of temperatures. Place in a shed, garage, barn or anywhere your outdoor kitties spend time. Rugged ABS plastic exterior is water-resistant and includes a cozy fleece cover.