Quick answer
Customizing the Mau Natural Basket means making three choices in order: basket type, cushion, and pom-pom color. Pick the basket type first because it sets the size and shape, then choose a cushion for comfort and cleaning, and finish with a pom-pom color that ties the basket into your room. If you are unsure, start with the default configuration and change one option at a time.
Before you start: check your cat's size and sleep style
The Natural Basket supports cats up to 25 pounds, so weigh or estimate your cat before choosing options. A cat that curls into a tight ball needs less floor space than one that sprawls, and a cat that likes to drape over an edge will use the rim differently than a cat that burrows. Watch where your cat already sleeps for a week: on a windowsill, under a chair, or on your bed tells you whether a covered or open setup will get used.
Match the cushion to your cleaning routine
Cushion color is not only aesthetic. Lighter cushions show fur and dust faster, which is useful if you like a visible cue to wash, while darker or patterned cushions hide shedding between washes. If your cat has accidents or drools, choose a cushion you are willing to wash often rather than one you want to keep pristine. The cushion is the part that touches your cat most, so treat it as the comfort decision, not the decoration decision.
Place the basket where your cat already relaxes
A personalized cat bed only works if it lands in a spot your cat already trusts. Put the basket near, not on top of, your cat's current favorite resting place, and give it a wall or furniture edge on one side so it feels sheltered. Avoid high-traffic doorways and the middle of a room. If your cat ignores it for three days, move it a few feet rather than buying a new bed.
Steps to customize your Natural Basket
- Choose the basket type first: Decide on the basket type before anything else, because it determines the overall size and shape your cat will actually sit in. Think about whether your cat likes to curl up or stretch out, and whether you want the basket to sit on the floor or on a piece of furniture. Checkpoint: if you are torn between two types, pick the one that matches your cat's current sleeping posture, not the one that matches your decor.
- Select the cushion color: Pick a cushion color based on how often you are willing to wash it and how much shedding you want to see. Lighter hues like Cotton White show fur quickly; deeper or softer tones hide it longer. The cushion is the main comfort surface, so prioritize your cat's preference over the room palette. Checkpoint: order a cushion color you can replace or wash without stress, especially if your cat is prone to hairballs or accidents.
- Pick the pom-pom color: The pom-pom is the smallest and most reversible choice, so use it to tie the basket into your home. Choose a color that echoes an existing accent in the room, or go neutral if you may move the basket between rooms. Because it is decorative, this is the safest option to change later. Checkpoint: if you cannot decide, choose a pom-pom that matches your sofa or rug rather than your cat's toys.
- Set up the basket and observe for a week: Place the finished basket in a quiet spot your cat already uses, with one side against a wall or furniture. Leave it alone for several days rather than moving it constantly. Note whether your cat enters, sits on the rim, or ignores it entirely. Checkpoint: if your cat avoids it, move the basket a few feet or swap the cushion before assuming the basket itself is wrong.
- Adjust one option at a time: If something is not working, change only one variable: cushion, position, or pom-pom. Changing everything at once makes it impossible to know what your cat rejected. The Natural Basket's separate options exist precisely so you can fine-tune without replacing the whole bed. Checkpoint: give each change at least three to four days before judging it.
Product facts
- Natural Basket (Customize): The Natural Basket (Customize) lets you choose the basket type, cushion, and pom-pom color, and supports cats up to 25 pounds. Three separate options mean you can change one thing at a time if your cat is picky, instead of replacing the whole bed.
- Horizon Cat Cave: The Horizon Cat Cave is made of wool felt with a white stripe design and comes in a choice of colors. If your cat prefers a covered, enclosed spot rather than an open basket, a felt cave is the alternative to compare before you customize.
