Handmade Felted Wool Cat Cave

Each of these caves is felted by hand from New Zealand lamb wool by women artisans in Nepal, then naturally dyed and left to dry outside, so no two come out exactly alike. The result is a thick, soft wool pod with one round doorway, the kind of hideout a cat can disappear into for an afternoon.

The smaller size is 16 inches wide and 11 inches tall with a 7.9-inch opening, made for cats of about 9 to 11 pounds. The larger one is 19.6 inches wide and 12.5 inches tall for cats around 16 to 18 pounds. Wool keeps a cat warm in winter and insulates against heat in summer, and the FeltnPet shop notes that it naturally resists odors, dust and stains and is free of harmful chemicals. Prices start around $62.

It suits the cat who hides in closets and under blankets, and the owner who wants a bed that looks like handmade decor instead of pet-store plush. Because every piece is a little different, it also feels more personal as a gift than a bed off a shelf.

The catch: cleaning takes effort. Day to day you vacuum it or use a lint roller, and a proper wash means lukewarm water, squeezing out the extra moisture, reshaping it while damp and letting it air dry. Colors and measurements vary slightly by piece, and it ships from Nepal, so give it extra time before a holiday.