How to get a cuddly cat who loves to sit on your lap

[Kittykat86]

I know all cats have different temperaments but I would really love to get an easygoing cat who likes to sit beside me on the sofa, will sit on my lap and sleep etc,
Is there any way to find a cat /kitten like this? Would male or female be better,? tabby or ginger or what breed? Or does it even matter? I really love the British short hair breed

@Judystilldreamsofhorses that is a lovely cat, kind of biscuity rather than full on ginger, maybe it's the photo

Both my cats were cuddly, but on their own terms. They were very sweet natured, never scratched or anything. They were female tabbies.

Black and ginger males seem to be the cuddliest in general, but agree with everyone that you need an older rescue whose personality is formed.

We have a ragdoll and she is honestly the sweetest cat ever. She is very friendly, cuddly and always wants to be with us, very sweet with the kiddos and just wants pets all the time. In general ragdolls are bred as lap cats but there is no guarantee that your kitty would have the typical ragdoll personality 🤷‍♀️

Your best best is to go to the shelter and ask for an adult with that personality.

Mind you, they told me this one was cuddly, and she can be, but she's also a complete nutcase. She is 1 but still has kitten energy and can basically levitate. Maybe in another year she'll be calmer.

We adopted an older cat with a known, calm, friendly disposition. The only thing is, he was NOT a lap cat.... until we all got Covid at the same time, and after 2 weeks of 6 people lying pathetically around the house, he decided that he was a lap cat after all.

Just to say, if you do get a cuddly cat, get them used to being downstairs overnight or you will never sleep well again.

Oooh no!! I absolutely love having cats sleeping on the bed. All of mine do/have done that whether lap cat or not.

Mostly they don't keep me awake, and I do occasionally move one that is making me too hot.

As said go for an older cat. You just can't predict otherwise.

I've a ginger male. Very cuddly kitten but now he has no interest. He wiill say hello, run up to me meowing, weave through my legs and look for pets and belly ribs but no cuddles or sitting on laps or even next to anyone anymore

I was about to say BSH don’t have lap cat reputations.

I got an older moggy rescue after the Bengal died. The Bengal was a lap cat who’d stay for hours, the moggy girl will stay for about 15m max and she’s off.

My BSH boy loves to snuggle BESIDE me, and it’s lovely. He sleeps in the crook of my knees in bed and follows me from room to room. Sitting on my lap is a very rare occasion though, usually when I’m poorly or sad.

Defo just the photo - that was late last night in bad light, but here he is glowing in the sunshine last week. Pure orange 🧡

Went to the rescue , and she was so friendly despite having been in there for three months (pregnant stray, her kittens had to be rehomed first and she was only young herself). Knew that if she was that friendly there, she’d be a delight. She hid for first couple of days, and for first few months would sit next to you, not on you. Now you can’t sit anywhere without her appearing and needing a lap. Friendliest cat ever. Definitely rescue.

Your best bet would be to go to a cats rescue centre and spend at least half an hour in a room full of cats. Take a chair in if there isn't one already. See which cats come up to you, jump on your lap, show interest, etc. I did this 15 years ago and it quickly became very clear which cat I should adopt. She came home with me that day and has never turned down a warm lap since.

Please don't overlook the more quiet cats in rescues. Rescues aren't great for a cat, they're in an unfamiliar home, so much noise and strange smells and taken from a home that they've become used to and possibly loved. The quieter more shy cats get overlooked so much but give so much love.

All my cats have been the ones no one wanted because they were shy, timid and quiet. All have been loving cats who loved to be cuddled and fussed over.

It's great people suggesting rescues but to just look at confident cats means you could miss out on the perfect cat.

My lovely cuddly cat even looked scared in his photos, if he was on a dating profile people would have swiped right. My new cat had to be lured out with a lick e lix but she came for cuddles this morning, that's twice in 9 weeks, its a slow process but so rewarding when she does.

Not really. My male cat is a complete tart.

Mine can be very cuddly at times, cats choose and take a while to adjust, mine did at 7, when adopted, he slowly became more trusting over the months, 9 now

Neutered male cat. We've had Siamese cross males and all have been curious and affectionate and loved a cuddle.

They talk a lot so just be aware.

Siamese, Burmese & Tonkinese (B/S cross) all very friendly IME, too friendly if anything, quite demanding. Never met a BSH who would sit on a lap.
I once had a gorgeous tabby female from a rescue who was so scared and shy in the shelter but so affectionate and attached to me once she settled so don't overlook the quiet ones! I felt sorry for her, she had a dicky eye and just looked so sad. It was an excellent decision.

One of my fosters - a beautiful black older kitten - was so nervous that she hid for the first 48 hours, just coming out at night to eat & use her tray, before deciding it might be ok to let me stroke her.

We slowly went from there to her snuggling next to me on the sofa and sleeping next to me at night.

She’s now the lappiest of lap cats in her forever home. Apparently the moment someone sits down, that’s it. But she’d have been viewed as too shy at first glance.

@HappyHolidai in theory I would love Mewler to sleep on my bed but I know the reality wouldn't be so great. She comes up every morning to herd me downstairs.
@Judystilldreamsofhorses true ginger, lovely

our girl was so shy and polite when we got her but then she got her paws under the table she’s a little diva and used to pin dh in the kitchen demanding ham.

I have Burmese ragdoll cross cats. An amazing combination. Both incredible affectionate, really work their way up from your lap to nuzzle your face.

One is rather vocal though which is a bit annoying.

Pure luck! I currently have three.

One I’ve had since he was very little, when a family member’s cat had surprise kittens. He will give cuddles very occasionally, and only if we are alone.

One wandered in off the street 10 years ago and has been velcroed to me ever since. All she ever wants to do is be picked up and snuggled, and would stay there all day if I let her.

One I took in as a foster when she was a few months old, she started off cuddly and now doesn’t really like being picked up as she’d much rather be scampering about playing!

Get any cat and a heated blanket for you lap. Like bloody catnip in the colder months and you'll be posting how to I get the damn cat off my lap.