my cats won't sit on my lap. why?

Question

i have 2 cats. they're brother and sister. they are both neutered. can you give me some ideas so they are not arfaid to sit on my lap.

Answer 1

Not all cats like laps, I have 5 cats and only 3 of them are lap cats, I think it is the way they are treated when they are kittens. The ones that sit on my lap are the only ones we have brought up from kittens

Answer 2

I work with young feral cats, to socialize them and turn them into adoptable pets instead of homeless ferals. There are some that are just resistant to becoming lap cats, and others that love it. However, as they age and become more mellow and settled, many will then become more comfortable in laps.
Here are some ideas: Try giving them a little treat every time you put them in your lap. Pet them as they eat the treat.
Put a pillow or whatever they are used to sleeping on, in your lap.
Try this when they are sleepy, or wake them up from sleeping, keeping them in the bedding, and put on your lap. Maybe cover with a towel or something, so they feel more comfortable.
Never, never force them to stay if they don't want to . I know it is frustrating, but if you force them, you may never have success.
The biggest thing is patience.
In the end, realize that all cats are different. Perhaps your kitties have personalities that make them more fun, or more interesting, or more interactive, yet may not be lap cats.
Good luck

Answer 3

Hiya Im eoangel5 and I think I have an answer to your question about your cats. Firstly how long have you had your cats? and do you know anything about where they were born and how they were treated? Sometimes cats dont sit on your lap because of how they were treated when they were kittens. I have 5 cats and the mother of the 4 wasnt treated well at all when she was a kitten and she doesnt sit on my lap nor on my Mum's lap. You could try to put something they like to lie on; and put that on your knee and reassure them its ok and talk to them. I hope this will help you. from eoangel5

Answer 4

They may not be lap cats.

Are there any other factors.

We had a cat years ago that sat on me constantly, and only on others now and then.

We then had a dog. When this cat died the dog made me his focus.

We now have two dogs and a cat.
the cat we have now and cats we have had previously (a few years old from rescue centres that have now passed) always sit on my husband, rarely on me, and if they did sit on me it was only for a few minutes at a time, usually saying I want to be fed.

So my point is:- is something or someone stopping the cat from going on your lap.

The cat may just prefer another member of the household.

If it doesn't sit on anyone then it just isn't a lap cat.

Answer 5

Not all cats are lap cats. I have two cats, one cat wont stay in your lap if you put her there, you have to sit down and sit still and then she'll come to you. With my other cat, well he is a lap cat, in fact he's the kind of cat that likes to follow people around the house as if he were attention deprived. What I have figured out with a lot of cats is that if you sit still eventually they'll come to you. My cats usually Wait till i am doing something constructive like homework or reading a book. So try just sitting in the room that they are in, it might work.

Answer 6

Go to the pet store and buy some Liver Treats.... cats will become your best friend over-night if they know they may get some Liver Treats when they hang around you. Plus they are reasonably cheap and you only give them a piece the size of a five cent coin when you do.
Start by giving them a piece each.... sometimes it takes them a while to get a taste for it, so do it until they start begging for it.
Then you only give them the treat if they do something you want them to do.... e.g Give them a piece, but only when they sit on your lap, they will start to associate sitting on your lap with a good experience. They may even start to jump up even when you don't want them to.
My cat comes when called because of liver treats and his affection gets to the point of annoying sometimes..... his sitting on my lap while I'm writing this.
Just one word of warning they are a training device and occasional treat.... cats can become addicted to liver to the point where they will refuse to eat anything else.
A couple of small pieces a day is fine when you first starting out. But reduce the amount they get over a few weeks.... my cat only gets liver treats twice a week now.
Substitute pats for liver treats.

Answer 7

It could be they weren't handled enough when they were younger. Try playing with them more. Some cats just dont like sitting on your lap, try laying on the couch with your kitty next to you and pet him while talking to him in a soft voice. It will take time, but if you feed him wet canned food from time to time, play with him and continue trying to have him lay down next to you, he will bond with you more. My kitties won't stay on my lap long, but they will snuggle up as close as they cant get in my bed under the covers, they LOVE it! So much they even will lick my hand if it's just sitting there! haha. Good luck!

Answer 8

cats are very nervous about some materials, they don't like many synthetics for some reason, jeans are good. I used to get my cats up on my lap by playing with them, used a ball and a piece of string, started on the floor, gradually worked my way onto the sofa, then onto my lap, they are so busy playing they don't notice, eventually they will get used to being up there.

Answer 9

Just depends on the cat. Some like to snuggle, some don't. I have two cats-one would love nothing more than to sit on someone, rub faces, and snuggle all day if you would let her. The other one likes to lay next to someone, but doesn't like to be picked up, sit on laps, or have anyone get too close to his face.
Try laying on the floor and let them come to you. Don't try to force them. Best of luck!

Answer 10

Stop looking directly at them. Cat lovers always stare at cats with wide open eyes. In cat body language thats a threat. Try half closing your eyes, blinking and looking away.
I'm allergic to cats and they always come and sit on me. Read the paper. Cats will unfailingly sit on a newspaper. The minute you don't want them on your lap they'll be up there.