Tried a new cat bed on the porch and it backfired completely

Last Saturday I finally got one of those heated outdoor pet pads for my porch because my cat Mittens loves sleeping out there even when it's chilly. I set it up on the south side where the afternoon sun hits, really thought I was doing something smart. Went inside to grab coffee and came back maybe 10 minutes later and she was absolutely not using it. Instead she was sprawled out on the cold concrete right next to it, looking at me like I offended her ancestors. I moved the pad to a different spot, tried putting her favorite blanket on top, even sprinkled some catnip on it. She just stared at me and eventually walked inside through the cat door. The neighbor's stray dog jumped the fence later and claimed the pad for himself, so at least someone appreciated it. Has anyone else's pet totally rejected something you bought specifically for them on your patio?

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terryr461mo ago

My Maine Coon once ignored a $40 heated bed for a muddy cardboard box.

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bethcarr1mo ago

Ha! I read somewhere that cats actually prefer boxes because they retain their scent better and make them feel more hidden. Something about the cardboard trapping their own smell makes it feel like a safe spot. So your fancy heated bed was basically just a weird new thing that didn't smell like your cat. Pretty sure my tabby would pick a dirty Amazon box over a heated mattress any day of the week.

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