Is merino wool safe for cats? What to know before you buy
When I set out to make the beds, I knew I wanted to use natural materials. Merino wool kept coming up, and the more I looked into it, the more I found reasons to use it.
If you've landed here, you're probably in the middle of deciding on a bed for your cat. I can only speak for the beds I make, but here's a handful of things about merino wool that I think are worth knowing.
So what are most cat beds actually made from?
Most options you'll find online are made from synthetic materials such as foam, polyester filling and plastic-based fabrics. A lot of these contain chemicals that your cat is in contact with for hours every single day. Cats sleep up to 16 hours (if only we had this luxury), so the material really does matter.
Merino wool is a natural fibre. No coatings, no synthetic stuffing in between or underneath. The beds are designed to be soft, fluffy and supportive with nothing else besides the wool itself, which is honestly quite impressive to me. (but I can't take all the credit, that's why I work with wool!)
Wool is wool, right? Not quite.
Regular wool can be rough and scratchy, which is probably why a lot of people assume wool in general is uncomfortable. Merino is a much finer fibre, and that's what makes it so soft. It's also naturally hypoallergenic, so it's far less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
Wool also contains lanolin, a natural oil found in the sheep's fleece. Cats are naturally attracted to wool, and lanolin is widely thought to be the reason. It has a scent that cats are instinctively drawn to, one that feels safe and familiar to them. The merino I source is also mulesing-free, which mattered to me from the beginning.
What if my cat likes to chew on things?
Each bed is made by hand and goes through a process called felting, which uses water and heat to lock the wool fibres together into a solid structure. The result is a bed with no loose threads or strands to pull at.
What about the dyes?
The dyes meet Oeko-Tex Standard 100 criteria and comply with EU Ecolabel environmental standards, meaning they're certified free from harmful substances and safe for skin contact. This of course was a non-negotiable for me.
So, is merino wool safe for cats?
Yes. It's a natural material that holds up well to everyday use and comes with a lot of genuine benefits.
Soft, hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and made without synthetic stuffing or harmful materials. Every bed is made with your cat in mind, and the environment too.
If that sounds like what you were looking for, you can find the full range here at solaceaura.com.au.