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It is believed that cats sit on a human’s lap primarily for two reasons. One is for warmth and the other is to be in contact with their favorite person. But what if your cat isn’t a lap cat? Does that mean don’t love you as much as your cats that are lap cats? While some cats enjoy the warmth and bonding time with their owners, there are cats who prefer to keep to themselves and show affection in other ways. We’ll take a closer look at why some cats are lap cats and others aren’t, so join us.
What Makes a Lap Cat and What Doesn’t?
There are a few factors that may make felines more likely to be lap cats.
The Cat’s Backstory
How a cat was raised before it came to live with you could have a lot to do with whether the cat wants to lay in your lap. For example, if the cat was raised in a home where it was held and petted a lot, that’s what they’ll be used to.
However, if the cat was in an environment with little love or socialization, they may not be used to it and shy away from close contact with you. This doesn’t mean the feline doesn’t love you, but it may take a while to adjust and accept you.
The Age of the Cat Matters
Age can be another reason cats like to curl up in your lap and sleep all day. Kittens are young, full of energy, and like nothing more than to run around energetically, exploring everything around them. Your kitten may not be ready to relax on your lap because it’s too stimulated by the new sights all around them. As a cat ages and redirects some of that energy, they may seek more comfort and warmth from a trusted person’s lap so that they feel safe and secure.
The Cat Just Isn’t a Lap Cat
Face it, some humans don’t like close contact or to be hugged and touched all the time, and cats are no different. The cat may be just the independent, aloof cat that most felines are accused of being. Some cats simply aren’t lap cats.
They show their affection in other ways, such as purring when you get home, rubbing against your leg, or even sitting on the couch beside you. A cat doesn’t have to curl up in your lap to show affection, and some never will just because it’s not in their personality to do so.
Which Cats Are More Apt to be Lap Cats?
Some cat breeds are said to be lap cats more than others. Although scientific research has looked into behavioral traits of certain feline breeds and their likelihood of being more affectionate or shy towards humans, there are more factors that could influence if a cat will be a lap cat or not. Still, we’ll list some of the more common breeds for you below.
While these aren’t all breeds that are believed to be more likely of a lap cat, they may be some of the most common. That isn’t to say that other breeds can’t be, and there’s no guarantee that if you give one of these cats a forever home, they will be a lap cat either.
Conclusion
Some cats love to curl up on their pet parent’s lap and sleep the day away, while others prefer to sit in the window across the room. While these cats might not be lap cats, that doesn’t mean they don’t love their caretakers. Some cats are independent and don’t want to be picked up too often or sit on a person’s lap. Every cat loves their owner in a unique way, whether sitting on your lap or just purring when you get home from work. Your cat might be a lap cat, or they might not, but they love you either way.
Featured Image Credit: Sunsetoned, Pexels
