I want to turn my cats into "lap cats"! Can I?

Question

They are happy, loving cats but have never been the "lap cat" type. They are almost one and I am guessing it is too late to "train" them to be more affectionate, but I thought I'd give this a shot. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi Fellow Cat-lover.
As a cat socializer and a foster home for our local humane society, I have been with a lot of cats. In my opinion, as with a few of the others who have answered, is:
1) Your cats are still young. I have had cats that did not like to be held or sit in my lap until after about age 5. But that is still not a guarantee they will change.
2) Try working with the cat that seems the most likely to change, or the one that responds to you the most. If you can get one trained, often the others will follow suit over time because they get jealous of the attention the lapcat gets
3) Sit with a pillow in your lap. If there is a favorite blanket or something, put that on top of the pillow.
4) Work on training them when they are in a calm, sleepy, relaxed mood. Not hungry, playful, or feisty mood.
5) Treats do help, but you don’t want them to get too excited about the treat or that is all they will focus on. some cats like: a little Baby food (make sure not onion powder); Petramalt; store bought treats;
6) When and if you are able to train them, always be aware when you are petting them. They might like it one minute, but not the next, which would prompt them to leave your lap.
7) Be patient; realize all cats are different from each other; many have an independent instinct but also just really want to please their owner “mom”; many show their love for you just by always wanting to be in the same room as you.
8) And…most cats respond to their owners as they perceive their owners treat them. In other words, you get back what you put in. Cats requires so much less care than dogs, but they still need a lot of attention, if you want them to always want to be with you.
Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Probably not going to happen. Cats each have different, independent personalities, and, while they can be trained, it's not easy.

Here's a suggestion. All animals respond well to food. You have a couple of options.

The easiest one is to give them a treat whenever they lay on your lap. After awhile, they will learn that laying on your lap = treat. You won't have to give them one every time once they get it, but still do it every so often to keep it up.

If you want to train them to do other things (two of my cats sit, for example), get a "clicker". You start by associating the "click" noise with getting a treat. Then you associate certain movements or behaviors with the "click" and the treat. Eventually, just the click is supposed to make them do the behavior, but this takes a lot of disipline (I don't really have the patience).

Good luck! You can always get another cat, maybe an older one that has been known to be a lap lover in the past. Check with your local animal control or humane society. Many older cats get left behind when their elderly human friends pass on.

Answer 3

They are practically still kittens so you don't know their true personality yet. They may be lap cats but still have that kitten energy that has them on the go all the time. I think after about 2 you can really tell their personality.

Whatever you do, don't "force" the cat to stay on your lap. It will only avoid it more. Pet the cat when it's sitting next to you not necessarily on you. Let it go when it wants to go.

Answer 4

Most cats are usually naturally one way or the other.

Also, your cats are still young, the older they get the more the chance that they will become a lap type feline. However, there is no training them, for cats are too independent and do what they want to do.

Answer 5

Indoor cats are gnerally more affectionate. Spend lots of time with them just sitting in a room with them so they get used to you being a calm place to go for rubs. Buy some cat treats and feed them on your lap.

Answer 6

Of the six cats I have had four were snuggly or lap sitting cats, two are not. The two who are not like to sit close to me, Kinsey especially like to sit on my legs when I am on the couch watching TV. Amber will come up beside me and lie on her side with a pleading look in her eyes to be petted and she cannot tolerate being held.

So it can just be the nature of the cats and you might just have "lucked out" on the lap business.

Answer 7

Cats pretty much do what they want to do. With a dog owner, the dog is always at the owner's beck and call. There are no such thing as Cat owners, just cats who own people.

I have yet to see a Cat who would be willing to be untrue to their personality. But, you can get them to be more affectionate, simply by ignoring them. The less you pursue them, the more they will stick their butt in your face begging for attention.

Answer 8

Some breeds of cats are more apt to wanting to be lap cats than others. We have both lived our entire lives with cats...99 years of experience combined loving and living with cats. The cats that seem to be the most apt to wanting to love and cuddle and sit in your lap are: Norwegian Forest cats, Tuxedo cats and Russian Blue cats. These cats tend to be friendly and docile. The Norwegian Forest cats also are shy but will love being lap cats for their fave one or two owners. Russian Blues and Tuxedoes seem to live for their humans. Now, you can train other varieties of cats to become lap cats...it will take a lot of patience, peace and persistence. I would suggest luring your cat baby into your lap with some catnip or a favorite toy. When your baby starts to sit and stay in your lap, reward your kitty sweetie with a delicious cat treat. Your cat darling will seek the reward. Each time he/she ends up in your lap and staying, offer less and less of the treat. Soon your cat will WANT to sit in your lap just for the love, attention and petting. Good luck with your baby/babies!

Answer 9

Agreed, there's really no way to train ANYTHING to be more affectionate....and this is especially true for cats. Wait for them to get a little older and they may be more inclined to settle down on your lap for a few minutes.

Answer 10

I don't think that you can train your cats to be lap cats and if you push it too much they may not want much to do with you. so I would say just enjoy them how they are now.