Lap cats: nature or nurture?

hazyjo

My Jerry Cat follows me everywhere, lies next to me on sofa with his paws wrapped round my leg with his head on my leg, but he won't get on my lap. Had him for around 7 years since he was 3 - so don't get your hopes up! Then got Lottie Cat a few years back, and she won't come on my lap either. Jerry won't let me pick him up either and goes truly mental, yet worships the ground I walk on and sleeps next to my head. Lottie tolerates being picked up, but only for several mins max.

The one thing I've found does make Jerry (and rarely Lottie) get on my lap is if I cover it first - a cushion, a throw/blanket or something (or something I'm reading!). Give that a try maybe...

Did laugh in a David Baddiel novel where someone was patting their legs for a cat to get up until they were smarting lol. So funny.

Cat slaves

Jx

Fire_Fox

Both: just like humans some cats are more independent, some extrovert, some cuddly, some introvert. How they are socialised when young plays a huge role, rescues know feral kittens can only be easily tamed up to so many weeks old after that it is a real battle. All my rescue cats have been cuddly, but my best friend's rescue cat was prone to attacking for months after she adopted him. Now he loves to sit next to her but in two or three years he has only sat on her lap twice ... she felt like she won the lottery! :rotfl:

When she comes into the room are you paying her attention and looking at her right away? Some cats see that as a challenge or threat so are less likely to come to you. Sometimes ignoring them is effective or just waiting until she is fully settled, which could be a few months. You might try a Feliway diffuser in your living area?

Grimbal

NewKittenHelp wrote: »

Probably both but more nature I would think. Aside from that, I love your flooring. What is it?

we should move this to the "in my home" boards ! It's a walnut engineered floor (ie real wood on top with a man made backing board)

spike7451

Daisy's a lap cat when it suits her,most of the time she'll sleep on the bed during the day,only moving if she hears the tin opener....Then around 7pm ish she'll come onto my lap for a couple hours,she tends to prefer to wait until I'm in bed before making for a fuss,then she'll curl up at the bottom of the bed using my ankles as a pillow...lol

Grimbal

BillTrac wrote: »

More what the cat allows us humans to believe.

oh so true ! :T:T:T

Grimbal

paddypaws101 wrote: »

I am currently fostering a cat who is at least 10, probably older and has seemingly lived as an un-neutered stray for most of his life without a home to call his own.
This big, muscly, scarred tomcat loves to climb onto my lap and snuggle up as close to me as possible, resting is head on my arm.
So....I think nature has a big role to play.

Awwww, that's lovely. Funny how the big & hardest can also be the soppiest. Mr. G is a sturdy boy, people step out of his way when he strides down the street, that sort of thing.

But the big lad goes all soft when Maisie lets him pick her up & the tiny tabby is held safe in his lovely big big arms

Grimbal

hazyjo wrote: »

My Jerry Cat follows me everywhere, lies next to me on sofa with his paws wrapped round my leg with his head on my leg, but he won't get on my lap. Had him for around 7 years since he was 3 - so don't get your hopes up! Then got Lottie Cat a few years back, and she won't come on my lap either. Jerry won't let me pick him up either and goes truly mental, yet worships the ground I walk on and sleeps next to my head. Lottie tolerates being picked up, but only for several mins max.

The one thing I've found does make Jerry (and rarely Lottie) get on my lap is if I cover it first - a cushion, a throw/blanket or something (or something I'm reading!). Give that a try maybe...

Did laugh in a David Baddiel novel where someone was patting their legs for a cat to get up until they were smarting lol. So funny.

Cat slaves

Jx

I'm [STRIKE]often [/STRIKE]always found buried under a throw, even in the height of summer (its a security thing), but might try putting a cushion under it to sort of give it a bit of height IYKWIM - thanks for the tip !

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Both: just like humans some cats are more independent, some extrovert, some cuddly, some introvert. How they are socialised when young plays a huge role, rescues know feral kittens can only be easily tamed up to so many weeks old after that it is a real battle. All my rescue cats have been cuddly, but my best friend's rescue cat was prone to attacking for months after she adopted him. Now he loves to sit next to her but in two or three years he has only sat on her lap twice ... she felt like she won the lottery! :rotfl:

When she comes into the room are you paying her attention and looking at her right away? Some cats see that as a challenge or threat so are less likely to come to you. Sometimes ignoring them is effective or just waiting until she is fully settled, which could be a few months. You might try a Feliway diffuser in your living area?

yup, this "window" thing is sort of what I was wondering about Maisie. She was one of 6 cats. With only the one [STRIKE]owner [/STRIKE]slave, there simply weren't enough laps togo around. So, she might have learned not to try for the lap, and to be content with just being in the same room. Oh, if only she'd realise that there are two rather large laps waiting for her to be adored on !

scaredy_cat

my old cat was a lap or 'chest-shelf' cat!!

Giz, the youngster i have now will occasionally get in my lap but he likes to lay beside me next to my leg.

SnowyOwl_2

scaredy_cat wrote: »

my old cat was a lap or 'chest-shelf' cat!!

Giz, the youngster i have now will occasionally get in my lap but he likes to lay beside me next to my leg.

LOL I forgot about the "chest-shelf" position. Yes, one of mine does that too...think he likes to have his face near mine, plus it's nice and roomy there:o

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

The one I hand reared is a chest shelfer at best, alien face hugger at night if she's in the mood. Her brother was a sit beside you except at 3am when he was also a chest shelfer. With added dribble.

The MC rescue will stand on me once in a purple moon.


Dizz just doesn't stay still long enough to settle on a lap. Or anywhere else, other than draped over my ankle at night . But he is incredibly affectionate and wants your company all the time. So he's completely not standoffish, but just doesn't have the inner peace to settle down on a lap.


So it's definitely nature first, nurture second, IMO, as they are all spoiled rotten.