Wicker baskets

[sixfurballs]

That's very helpful cleaning info - thanks for that.

I put a cat blanket and then a snuggle bag on top of it in the wicker basket I remembered I had. All the cats ignored it for the first day but yesterday Heidi and Huxley both curled up in it.

[spinningfishwife]

You can wash wicker as long as it's decent quality. Take it outside, use something like dilute baby shampoo or soft soap, warm water and a soft brush, do it quickly then rinse well with a hose and let it drip dry upside down over a big plant pot. Don't put any sort of pressure on the sides when wet or it will deform. It won't hurt the basket to get wet...I make baskets as a hobby and the wicker has to be soaked for several days to make it pliable enough to use, plus old baskets actually benefit from being left out in the rain for a couple of days.

[clarenmax]

I bought Max a lovely wicker basket years ago, he managed to totally ignore it for such a long time his toys now live in it to keep them off the floor 

[tiga]

I got one from Ikea I think and it is similar to the Zooplus one with two levels of seating but the bottom is open to the floor if that makes sense. It didn't come with any cushions but my mum made me cushions to fit that I can throw in the washer. The boys aren't fond of sleeping in the bottom space but love curling up in the top part. They haven't scratched it at all so far and it does look quite smart.

[sixfurballs]

I have all the fabric, throw in the machine type beds, blankets and snuggle bags but wanted something that was comfy for the cats but also looked a little smarter for the living room. That's why I looked at the wicker one. I know what your saying about beds that can easily be cleaned although there would be fabric cushions in the wicker one which could be thrown in the machine.

I'm still a little undecided about it. Toby looks gorgeous in his and you have just reminded me that I won a big easter basket last year which is wicker and currently unused. Just have to remember where I put it now. I could throw some cushions in it and see what they think before investing in the tower version.

Thanks.

[Leanne]

We have the one you posted in the link. To be honest we got it because it looks much nicer than other cat bed type things we'd seen.

The boys love it though, I replaced the cushions with their favourite ones from the sofa, Jess will sleep inside it. They both sit on top to look out the window.

Milo has chewed the insides but as soon as we've heard him his been told off and removed, thinking about it I don't think his done it for a while now.

[Reynard]

I think when it comes to cat beds, it's best to leave the choosing to the cats. However, I do recommend fleece blankets as they can be popped in the wash, dried and put back in fairly short order.

Toby though, does love his wicker basket. It originally was a gift for my mum, filled with plants, but Sir decided that he was going to take posession of it - and some number of years later, who am I to argue? Here is a photo of Sir in his basket on CP meet & greet duties.

[tillywilly]

All my cats have had wicker beds and cat carrying baskets and have loved them.  One cat did like to scratle the bottom, and it ended up with large holes in it but it never bothered her, she was just so happy in it.  But yes it was destroyed, better that than your carpet or sofa!!

[Christine (Blip)]

They are nice but I tend to go for things that can be scrubbed or go in the washing machine 

I think that's an important consideration.  And what Team S has said - we cross-posted!

[Team Svartalfheims]

I'd be worried about the fact you can't thorougly clean and disinfect them.

[Mark]

They are nice but I tend to go for things that can be scrubbed or go in the washing machine 

Another thing is a lot of Wicker unless it is top quality (which is very rare thesedays) it splits and breaks easily.

[sixfurballs]

With 2 new additions to the household and longer nights approaching I was thinking of a new cat bed. I thought one of these wicker ones would be nice by the fireplace but was wondering if the cats will just chew/scratch the wicker and destroy it. Anyone have one and can tell me how it fared?

Was thinking of this one on zooplus

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_beds_baskets/cat_dens/36705