Cats have gotten a reputation as being house pets with their own agendas. Memes have popularized the myth that they can be rather stand-offish and prefer to be left alone. Although that might be true for some breeds, it’s not true for all of them.
There are many affectionate cat breeds who are almost always down for a cuddle. These friendly felines crave attention and appreciate quality lap time with their favorite humans.
If you’re someone who enjoys close contact with your pets, these are the best lap cat breeds to have in your home.
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13 Best Lap Cat Breeds
Are you ready to find a new cuddle buddy? If so, these cats will make an excellent and very loving addition to your household.
1. Scottish Fold
Scottish Fold cats have distinctive folded ears that tilt forward and downward. They sit atop a round head and give them a unique and undeniably cute appearance. They have a stout build with short legs. This means they’re not very good at jumping, but they are good at cuddling.
This is a breed that bonds quickly with its owners. They’re affectionate, social, and have an even temperament. They’re also homebodies who prefer the indoors to the outdoors.
They don’t like to be left on their own for long periods of time, but if they must, having another Scottish Fold in the house to keep them company seems to ease their loneliness. If you’re a Swifty, you might recognize that this is the cat breed Taylor Swift owns.
2. Ragdoll
Ragdolls are a fluffy breed of cat that originated in California in the 1960s. These laid-back lap cats were bred to be affectionate. Their name comes from the fact that they go all floppy when picked up, just like a ragdoll.
They make great pets for anyone looking for a cuddly companion. Their gentle, sweet, and patient demeanor make them a perfect fit for homes with children and other pets. Ragdolls are known for greeting their owners when they return home and following them around the house.
They are one of the largest breeds of domesticated cats. Fully grown females can weigh up to 15 pounds, while males can weigh up to 20 pounds.
3. Sphynx
Sphynx are a hairless breed of cat. They might not look as cuddly as furry felines do, but don’t let their appearance fool you. They are very affectionate and loving with their owners and enjoy nothing more than a good snuggle on the sofa.
They also like to cuddle close to humans to help keep their bald bodies warm. Sphynx are intelligent, friendly, and energetic. They don’t just love humans; they’re friendly with dogs and other cats too.
If you have a sensitivity to cat dander that isn’t too extreme, this is a good breed to consider. Their lack of hair means less dander, which will cause less of an allergic reaction compared to their furry counterparts.
4. Siamese
A Siamese cat’s personality is social, loving, and outgoing. This breed is known for being very vocal; they love ‘chatting’ with their owners. They crave human contact, whether that’s cuddling with you on your lap, getting a pet, or being carried. They’re even considered by many to be dog-like.
The Siamese breed has been around for a very long time — they originated in Thailand hundreds of years ago. They are highly intelligent and curious. This means that if they’re going to be left alone, they should have an interactive cat toy to keep them busy.
They make great family pets and get along with other cats, children, and most dogs.
5. Maine Coon
To put it simply, a Maine Coon’s personality is geared towards love and cuddles. They’re often called the dogs of the cat world because of all the similarities they share with canines.
They’re one of the biggest breeds of domesticated cats. A full-grown male can weigh up to 25 pounds. They have big personalities to match their big size. They’re known for being goofy, friendly, outgoing, and social.
But despite their size and outgoing essence, they’re very gentle and sweet-tempered. They want to be everyone’s friend and part of the family. They love quality time with their humans, which they feel should involve plenty of lap cuddles.
6. Persian
Persians are one of the most popular North American cat breeds. They have long fluffy coats that make them look like cuddly stuffed animals, and their temperament isn’t much different from a stuffie. These cats are known for being calm, gentle, and quiet. However, they do occasionally have bursts of energy.
Persians are happy to just lay around the house, preferably on your lap. They are very affectionate and love everyone in the household. These fluffy felines do require regular hair maintenance. Check out this Persian cat grooming guide for more information.
7. American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is a very common cat breed in the US. This is mostly due to their loving and gentle nature. They do have a playful side, though. Back in the day, they were used on ships to protect cargo from rats and mice, and they still love a good game of chase.
This breed is accepting of other pets and people; they are also very adaptable to any type of home. Although the American Shorthair loves attention, they don’t demand it, as some other breeds do.
8. Birman
Birmans are a blue-eyed cat breed with long color-pointed coats. Their personality is affectionate, gentle, and friendly. They also have a curious side and love playing games with their owners.
Because they have such a mellow and laid-back demeanor, they’re known for being one of the calmest cat breeds. They get along with everyone, including young children and other pets.
They do better indoors, as they prefer to be house cats. They love spending time with their family and don’t do well being left alone for long periods of time.
9. Burmese
The Burmese breed is known for being extremely loyal, intelligent, and affectionate. They love being with humans and other animals. They usually don’t take long to warm up to new people: they’re known to cuddle to complete strangers.
One of their most endearing features is that they love to play and perform tricks. They often stay energetic and spritely well past kittenhood.
They adapt well to almost any social situation. They love busy households, but they’re also content living with just one person. They don’t do well left alone; they prefer to stick to their owner’s side, which they’ll do for a long time. This breed has a life expectancy of between 16 and 18 years.
10. Bombay
If you’re searching for a beautiful black cat, the majestic Bombay breed resembles mini panthers. Their dark, sleek coat and piercing copper eyes make them stand out among other felines. However, their personality is nothing like a wild animal.
They are social house cats who love basking in attention, especially when sitting on their owner’s lap.
Although Bombay cats love to jump and climb, they prefer to live indoors with their humans. For this reason, they should have a cat tree where they can perch and watch their owners from afar when taking a break from cuddles and lap time.
11. Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is a gorgeous gray cat breed that loves to cuddle but isn’t overly clingy. They make great family pets and are affectionate with everyone in the household. However, they usually form a tight bond with just one person.
It might take a Russian Blue a while to warm up to new people, but once they’re comfortable, their playful and loving side will come out. Although they are social cats, they also appreciate time by themselves.
These cuddly kitties can be left alone, but their solitude needs to be balanced with plenty of love and snuggles when their owner is around.
12. Tonkinese
The Tonkinese breed is a mix between the Siamese and Burmese breeds. Similar to their relatives, they have an affectionate and friendly personalities. It’s said they’re smart like a Siamese and mellow like a Burmese.
They are people-oriented and love being part of the family. If they’re not getting enough attention, they’ll let you know. They aren’t quite as vocal as the Siamese breed, but they’ll still vocalize their thoughts and feelings regularly.
Tonkinese cats like to be active, and they’re prone to mischief if they get bored. They enjoy learning tricks and playing with toys.
13. Devon Rex
The Devon Rex has distinguishable big ears that add to its cute and cuddly character. They’re one of the most intelligent cat breeds. They can learn tricks, play fetch, and walk on a cat leash.
Playtime is important for these friendly felines; they thrive in an environment where they can be social. For this reason, they do well with families. They get along well with young children as long as the kids know to be gentle with them.
They’ll play and cuddle next to a child with the same enthusiasm as they would with an adult.
The Devon Rex will gladly live with other cats, dogs, and sometimes birds and rabbits.
Best Lap Cat Breeds | Final Thoughts
If you’re the kind of person who likes to curl up close with your pets, these are the best lap cat breeds to consider taking home with you. Of course, every feline is different and comes with its own distinct personality. But in general, these breeds have an affectionate and loving nature.
If you want to explore more cute cat content, check out these other cuddly cat breeds that also appreciate physical closeness with their humans.
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.