What could be better than your furry friend owning their own personal cat cave? It gives them a cozy, warm spot to hide away, while being able to gaze out and keep an eye on their surroundings. Cave-style beds are some of the most popular beds among both cat and dog owners.

Today, in another of our in-depth cat bed reviews,  we’re going to take a look at the Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave (Large). It’s an extremely popular choice for those of us who want our furry friends to enjoy the finer things in life. We’re going to examine its durability, washability, design, comfort and price. We’ll also see what other reviewers have to say on the subject. Let’s dive in!

The Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave: What Is It?

The Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave (Large) is, as the name suggests, a large cave for your kitty to hang out in.

Unlike so many other pet bed manufacturers out there, all Twin Critters products are made from sustainable sources. Specifically, the Cat Cave consists of 100% merino wool from New Zealand sheep. If you care about the environment, this is an excellent choice. As it’s a real wool cat bed, it’s unfortunately not suitable for the strict vegans among our readers.

All Twin Critters products are individually handcrafted. This means there’s a far smaller chance of manufacturing error, as there can be in mass-produced pet beds.

Is It a Durable Cat Bed?

Because each wool cat cave is hand-made to a high standard, it’s extremely durable. Twin Critters’ artisans use an ancient technique called “felting” to form each cave using only wool, water and soap. Because the caves are made from a single piece, there are no stitches or seams to come apart. This means that it’ll last a long time, and will hold up well to regular use.

Reviewers on Amazon are overwhelmingly impressed with the quality of the Twin Critters Cat Cave. Many reviews mention that the wool is thick, and feels well-made. Some reviewers have even mentioned that their cats use it as a scratching-pad, and it’s durable enough to withstand the abuse!

Is It a Washable Cat Bed?

Because the Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave is fashioned from pure sheep’s wool, it is not machine-washable. One reviewer mentioned that their cave shrank by a third when put in the washing machine!

Twin Critters recommends that you clean your Cat Cave in the following ways:

1. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
2. Use a damp sponge or cotton cloth to spot clean the cave.
3. To wash the cave, submerge it in cool water with a small amount of mild detergent. Allow it to soak and squeeze out the excess. Put it into the washer on the rinse/spin cycle, and then leave it to air dry.

Twin Critters advise never to put the cat cave in the dryer. They also recommend to stuff the cave with newspaper or trash bags to help it keep its shape as it dries.

Is It a Well-Designed Cat Bed?

Well it’s a designer cat bed, so you’d hope so! The design of the Twin Critters cat cave is very well thought out. It’s a simple, one-piece cave, with enough room for one or two cats to comfortably sleep inside. When you order a handmade cat bed, you expect quality, and it delivers. The hole is large enough for cats to enter and exit with ease. As the cave is made from wool, it naturally retains heat and keeps cats warm. It also offers shade during the summer. The cave’s appearance is quite modern, an almost pebble-like shape.

Cleverly, the Twin Critters cave actually has a dual-purpose design. Due to its yielding structure, when a cat climbs on top of the cave, it flattens down into a soft mat. This allows cats to choose whether to sleep inside, or use it as a flat bed. Great for the summer months, when it may be too warm to sleep inside. In other words, it’s a great cat bed for winter and summer!

Most reviewers are pleased with the cat cave’s design. The only criticism comes down to the cave’s soft structure. Some people aren’t pleased with the fact that the cave is flexible and does not remain perfectly round. A couple of reviewers claim that the cave struggles to retain its shape.

Is It a Comfortable and Warm Cat Bed?

There’s a reason Twin Critters use 100% pure New Zealand Merino wool to craft their cat caves: it makes for a comfy cat bed. There are no artificial fibers or materials involved whatsoever. If you’ve ever worn a woollen jumper or woollen socks, you’ll know how soft and snuggly wool is.

Reviewers of the cave are generally pleased with how comfortable their cats seem in it. Many reviews are accompanied by photos of cats relaxing in or on the cave. Some individuals do mention, however, that there is no padding or pillow inside the cave. If your cat prefers a plump or padded bed, you may need to put a cushion inside.

Is It a Cheap Cat Bed?

In one word: No. But let’s face it, you can’t possibly expect a uniquely hand-made, 100% Morino wool cat bed to be cheap. The Twin Critters cat cave is definitely on the pricier side. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive cat beds available on the market today.

That isn’t to say that the price isn’t worth it, however. The superior quality definitely reflects the price of this product, and we think it’s worth every penny. You certainly won’t need to purchase another cat bed for a long, long time. That being said, if you have a tight budget, this may not be the product for you.

Other Cat Bed Reviews

The Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave currently has over 600 reviews on Amazon. It has one of the best average ratings we’ve seen for a cat bed. The vast majority of reviewers have given this bed a perfect 5 stars. Reviewers are most impressed with the cave’s superior quality, softness, spaciousness and modern appearance. It’s definitely a product which looks and feels well-made.

Many reviewers mention having to buy a second or even third cave as their cats fought over the first one. A handful of reviewers claim that their cats use the cave as a toy, as well as a bed – biting, scratching and rabbit-kicking it! One cat bed review mentioned a game that her two cats play involving one cat jumping on the other while he’s inside.

There aren’t many negative reviews. As we’ve mentioned, some people dislike that the cave is so soft and doesn’t hold its shape well. Some reviewers claim that their cats refuse to use the cave at all. Cats, like people, are individuals and all have different sleeping preferences. It may just be that some cats prefer different styles of bed to others.

Catmart Cat Bed Review

It’s time for the final verdict. Let’s consider everything we’ve learned about the Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave, and give our review.

The main pro of this cat bed is, by far and away, the superior craftsmanship. It’s rare that we find completely handcrafted cat beds, and the durable quality certainly surpasses mass-produced ones. The design is simple yet stylish, and would fit into any home. With its dual-function design, it offers cats two ways to enjoy it (as a cave, or as a mat). As the cave is 100% wool, it’s comfortable, soft and warm. As an added benefit, because of the materials it’s made from, it also functions as a hypoallergenic cat bed.

The cons are quite limited. Some people would prefer the cave to hold its shape better, whereas others are pleased that their cat can use it as a flat bed if desired. It would be nice if the cave was machine-washable, although as it’s made from wool this isn’t a realistic wish. The only real downside of this product is its high price. It’s an expensive cat bed, which is only to be expected from such a well-made product.

So, what’s our official verdict? Here at Catmart, we give the Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave (Large) a highly respectable 9 out of 10. We’ve taken a point off only because of the high pricetag, and fact that it takes some effort to wash and dry. Other than that, it’s a fabulous choice for any house cat looking for the perfect cat hideaway!