Now, there’s no denying that animal lovers appreciate their pets irrespective of the personality each pet may have.
But having said that, most people do look for a loving and affectionate creature, particularly if there are children in the family.
So, what are the qualities that one should keep an eye for when one adopts a pet?
There are several things to keep in mind and even plenty of things you can research before signing the adoption papers for your newest family member.
Read on to find out more….
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How To Tell If A Kitten Is Going To Be A Lap Cat?
You can tell if a kitten is going to be a lap cat by the following characteristics…
- Your cat should be calm and enjoy playing, this is a sign of a lap cat.
- Your cat should enjoy napping with it’s owners in the same room and spaces (sofas and bed etc).
- Your cat should not seem scared or anxious around you, this is a sign of a lap cat.
- Your cat should enjoy being picked up, this is a sign of a lapcat.
- Your cat should be sociable with you and others.
How Do You Train A Kitten To Be A Lap Cat?
The best time to train your kitten to be a lap cat is when it is a kitten.
Don’t ponder and wait, and think you’ll start when it’s a little older.
And, when the word training comes into the picture, many animal lovers believe that training is another word for using force.
No, it would help if you never forced your kitten.
Kittens are naturally inquisitive, and they will go around the entire house to discover their surroundings.
So never stop them from doing that.
Instead, allow them the freedom to check out their new environment.
And, when they do come to you, handle them as gently as possible.
If they sit close to you, that’s the time to associate lap time with treats time.
So use soft encouraging words, stroke them, and encourage their behavior with healthy treats.
Now, not all cats enjoy human company.
Some cats may like to sit next to their humans, while others prefer their own company.
So, there is one way to increase your chances of getting a lap cat.
All you need to do is read on.
Will An Affectionate Kitten Be An Affectionate Cat?
Before you think about going in to get a kitten, you should do a thorough search about the various cat breeds out there.
You see, each species has distinct characteristics that distinguish it from the other.
Persian cats, Ragdoll cats, and Ragamuffin cats make very affectionate cats.
They are famous for being lap cats.
Yet, there is no guarantee that your lovable Persian kitty will grow up to be the ultimate lap cat.
But you must admit, it does increase the likelihood that you may wind up with a cuddly feline.
Also, you have to understand that female cats are more complacent than male cats.
And, once the male cats get into the sexually mature stage, they tend to be more aggressive, spray urine on specific spots to mark their territory, and even try to escape the house.
So, it may be wise to go for a female cat that has been spayed.
But, if you don’t want to take any chances, then don’t adopt a kitten.
Instead, go for the adoption of an adult cat.
You see, kittens and young cats get adopted sooner, so you will have your pick when it comes to older kitties.
Also, the consensus by animal lovers, particularly cat owners, is that strays make for very affectionate family members.
The finer the breed and the more pampering the kitten has received, the more likely it will see you as anything but its slave.
How Do I Get My Kitty To Be More Cuddly?
Cats don’t respond well to force.
So, never try to hold your cat down in your lap to make it sit.
But there are ways you can try and make your kitten into a cuddly cat.
You see, when dealing with kittens, you should never treat a kitten like an adult.
The kittens need to be looked after with gentle care and motherly attention.
A kitty needs to be bottle-fed every three hours, cleaned regularly, and frequently cuddled to keep it warm.
You may even have to help the kitten go to the bathroom by gently stimulating its bowels as the kitten hasn’t mastered the skill just yet.
Moreover, it is essential to always be gentle with the kitten.
If the kitten wants to scratch and bite, you need to use cat toys to divert its attention.
And the provision of a good scratching post will be highly useful too.
Finally, never forget to use a soft voice and never censure.
The bond you build with your kitten will determine whether you get a lap cat or feline with a ton of ‘cattitude.’
Check out my article – How to raise a kitten to be cuddly
Do Kittens Like To Be Held?
Yes, kittens love to be held.
But, kitties are no different from any other creatures.
It is essential then that your kitten gets familiar with your presence.
But, of course, the best way to get friendly with a kitten is to feed it.
Don’t force it to come to you.
Instead, offer treats and snacks that you know are it’s favorite.
Even items such as cat toys, yarn balls, and their favorite blankets can help form a bond.
And once the kitten is sure that you represent no threat, it will come to you naturally.
Kittens have more ‘cattitude’ than adult cats.
So, it’s better to take things slowly.
If the kitten feels comfortable snuggling next to your arm or like being petted by you, you can then try holding it.
However, if being held results in many struggles, then put your kitten down and know that it isn’t ready to be held.
On the other hand, if your kitten snuggles further into your palm, then you know that you have managed to create a close bond with your kitten.
Now, when it comes to adult cats and trying to hold them.
Know that each cat has a different personality.
While some cats shy away from the human touch, other cats genuinely enjoy the company of their humans.
One technique that seems to work 75% of the time is to hold the cat with one hand on its belly and the other hand on its back.
Related article –
How to make your kitten love you
New Kitten Is Scared and hiding
My new kitten hates me (and how you can fix this)
How To Choose A Lap Cat In The First Place
- Pick breeds known for being good in nature and docile like Ragdolls, Raggamuffins, Persians and Bombays
- But avoid exotic cat breeds such as Bengals or Savannahas as these are unlikely to be goo lap cats.
- Choose cats that are calm, sociable, and playful as they are more likely to be a lap cat.
- Try to pick the cat up and watch their reaction – you’ll get a good indicator right away whether they are into being cuddled.
- Consider older cats, they tend to be more docile and calm and go with the flow.
- Build trust with your cat through respecting it, playing with it, being affectionate with it, and treating it.
- Never try to force the cat to sit on your lap if it doesn’t want to.
How To Tell If A Kitten Is Going To Be A Lap Cat?
- Your cat should be calm and enjoy playing, this is a sign of a lap cat.
- Your cat should enjoy napping with it’s owners in the same room and spaces (sofas and bed etc).
- Your cat should not seem scared or anxious around you, this is a sign of a lap cat.
- Your cat should enjoy being picked up, this is a sign of a lapcat.
- Your cat should be sociable with you and others.
All these are signs your kitten or cat is going to be a lap cat.
Loving and raising a cat is much the same as raising a child.
But, every once in a while, when you have your kitty purr and rub against you for affection, all the effort that goes into taking care of a cat melts away.
So, here’s hoping that you have a happy, cuddly kitty to love and hold.
Always remember that training a cat to be cuddly begins early, and requires a lot of patience and perseverance.
But, once your pet gets to know you and trusts you, it does become easier for it to show affection to you.
You can check out my article – How to raise a kitten to be affectionate