How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Tunnel Bed

You put the new tunnel bed down, straighten the cushion, and wait. Your cat walks past it. That first moment does not tell you much about whether they will use it later.

Instead of trying to get an immediate reaction, make the new space easy to approach and leave. These practical steps give you a simple way to introduce the ITNaps Cat Tunnel Bed while letting your cat decide what to investigate.

1. Set it up before inviting your cat over

Assemble the tunnel, check that its zippers are properly closed, and place the center cushion in position. Look for loose packaging or anything left around the entrances, then clear it away. The first introduction is easier to manage when you are finished adjusting the product.

Choose a stable, level surface away from swinging doors and busy walkways. Both entrances should face accessible floor space. The ITNaps design has openings on opposite sides; pushing one against a wall removes an approach your cat might otherwise choose.

2. Start somewhere familiar

Try a part of the room where your cat already spends time. You do not need to move their existing bed or reorganize the whole space to make room for a new option.

If the location feels crowded once the tunnel is in place, move it before encouraging your cat to explore. Our guide to planning a living room cat corner explains how to check the footprint and the surrounding approaches.

Then step back. Let your cat notice the bed during their normal movement through the room. Avoid repeatedly picking them up and placing them beside it.

3. Treat a brief look as enough for now

Your cat might sniff an entrance, inspect a mesh side, sit on the cushion, or simply watch from nearby. None of those responses needs to become a full trip through the tunnel.

Do not push your cat inside, hold them there, or block an exit to keep their attention. If they walk away, leave the bed available and return to your routine. There is no deadline by which they need to have used every part.

4. Offer a familiar activity only if they seem interested

If your cat is already engaging with you, try a favorite cat toy on the open floor near an entrance. Keep the movement gentle and give them room to approach. The activity can stay outside the tunnel; entering is optional.

Use toys suited to your cat’s size and habits, supervise the interaction, and put string or wand toys away afterward. Avoid poking a toy through the mesh or using your fingers as something to chase. If your cat disengages, end the invitation rather than making it louder or more insistent.

5. Check fit before asking for more

Hesitation is not a reason to keep coaxing. First consider whether the entrance suits your cat’s build and whether the area is easy to reach. Weight alone cannot settle the fit question.

Each ITNaps entrance measures 21 × 14.5 cm, approximately 8.3 × 5.7 inches. Review the tunnel bed size guide if you are unsure about the entrance or cushion area. A cat who enjoys the open center may not want to use the enclosed section.

Let actual use guide the next step

Once your cat starts choosing the bed, notice which part they return to. Keep the arrangement that works instead of changing it to match a photograph or another cat’s behavior.

Check the fabric, mesh, and seams during use. The tunnel is not chew-proof or scratch-proof; stop using any damaged part with loose material or exposed components.

For an overview of the layout and materials, visit the ITNaps Cat Tunnel Bed. If you are still deciding, begin with the measurements and a spot in your home where both entrances can stay open.