November 24, 2024, 8:46 am | Read time: 9 minutes
Many cat breeds are ascribed attributes such as “family-friendly,” “intelligent,” or “independent.” The question often arises as to which cats particularly like to cuddle with their owners. Cat sitter and PETBOOK editor Louisa Stoeffler has an answer to this question from her personal experience.
I have been working as a cat sitter for many years. Initially, it was mainly in my neighborhood, but later, it was also via a platform for animal caretakers and cat sitters. Over the years, I have seen a variety of cat characters and different breeds. For me, the best thing about looking after animals is, of course, when the cats I visit like to cuddle and accept me as a sitter. Then I know that the animal won’t want for anything while the owners are away, and I can replace their normal social partners for a short period of time. In the following, I reveal which eleven cat breeds, in my experience, want to cuddle the most.
11. German longhair
The German longhair is a fairly rare breed that almost fell into oblivion after the Second World War. In the time since, however, it has found many lovers again, and I have already met some of them while cat-sitting. In addition to their magnificent fur, these cats are very playful but also love to cuddle.
10. Burmese
The Burmese, with its silky soft coat, is definitely another cat that loves to cuddle. Sometimes, the Burmese cats that I was looking after would simply curl up on my lap and demand attention and cuddles. This was done either with a short meow or even with raised paws, which were only put down when I stroked them again.
9. American Curl
The American curl is still relatively rare in Germany but really needs a lot of love. In contrast to the Scottish Fold, this cat breed has ears that are curled outwards, which it can still use well. All the American curls I’ve looked after have greeted me at the front door and wanted a good cuddle after I’ve fed them.
8. British shorthair
The British shorthair is considered a particularly balanced and calm cat breed. On the one hand, this could be due to the fact that some of them have quite short heads because Persian cats were crossed into many of these breeds. Therefore, with their short heads and pronounced snouts, they fit the cute childish mold but suffer from shortness of breath and are, therefore, rather calm.
As a cat sitter, I have unfortunately seen very sick British shorthairs who wanted to cuddle but otherwise didn’t have much quality of life and were constantly out of breath or snoring. On the other hand, healthy British shorthair breeds can also be very cuddly. If you decide on this breed, you should choose a reputable breeder. The picture below shows what a British Shorthair that has not been overbred looks like.
7. Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is undoubtedly one of the cat breeds that love to cuddle. They are usually very attached to people and greet cat-sitters with openness even when they first meet. They are particularly popular with families with children, as they tend to be calm and relaxed. However, they also need a lot of activity and don’t just live passively alongside the hectic everyday family life. If a Ragdoll doesn’t get enough attention, it can become downright pushy in its need to cuddle.
6. Birman
The Burmese cat, sometimes also called the sacred Burmese, is a cat breed with point markings on the face that is popular with many owners because of its appearance. The cat breed is also considered to be calm, relaxed, and particularly fond of people and cuddles. This is true, especially if they are well-socialized. However, if you are cat-sitting a Saint Birman, you should have a lint roller to hand so that you can get the loose hair out of your clothes after the extensive petting that the animals demand.
5. European shorthair
The European shorthair is a cat breed that is widespread throughout the continent. Many animals have the indication EKH (Europäisch Kurzhaar-Katze) in their pet passport from the vet, even if they have not been bred but are domestic cats without breeding. It is, therefore, not particularly easy to distinguish whether the animals, which can come in all kinds of colors and coat structures, are actually bred animals or not. However, this does not detract from their need to cuddle.
4. Siamese and Thai cat
The Siamese cat is often on the list of cat breeds that love to cuddle. I can actually confirm this. But their close relative, the Thai cat, which looks a little more original than the Siamese (and can’t get as many hereditary diseases), is similarly cuddly.
However, the Thai and the Siamese also have a mind of their own. You’ve just sat on the sofa with them, and they’ll open a drawer and fish out hats and scarves to make themselves comfortable. These cat breeds definitely have a mind of their own.
3. Norwegian Forest cat
In my experience, the Norwegian Forest cat is one of the cuddliest cat breeds around. Due to the strikingly thick and fluffy coat structure of the animals, a light stroking of the head is not enough for them; they want a real massage. One cat that I looked after repeatedly over several years even stood up on his hind legs and paddled through the air with his front paws until he was stroked even more.
2. Maine coon
Maine coon cats are a very special case. Without exception, everyone I’ve met in my time as a cat sitter has wanted to cuddle a lot and extensively. When I arrange a sitting job with Maine coon owners, I know that I plan at least one hour of cuddling for each visit.
And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a purebred Maine coon or a mix. The large, usually very gentle cats love to sit on your lap and be stroked extensively. If they are used to being brushed, this need increases even more. Some even actively demand grooming when you come to visit as a sitter.
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1. Domestic cat
The first place among cat breeds that particularly like to cuddle goes to the domestic cat. Cats that do not belong to any particular breed need just as much attention and love as pedigree cats. Even a Norwegian Forest cat or Maine coon will not like to cuddle if their humans do not spend enough time with them.
There is, therefore, no blueprint for choosing cat breeds that like to cuddle. Even naked cats such as the Sphynx or the Peterbald have a tendency to cuddle. However, many of these animals are born without whiskers and then fulfill the characteristics of a torturous breed. So, you always have to keep in mind that the health of the animal should come first, which is why these animals are not included in my ranking.
In the end, it’s not the animal’s predisposition that counts but how the owner treats the animal. So here are a few tips on how to build up a bond with cats and turn them into real cuddle monsters.
Stay calm and avoid loud noises
Many cats don’t like loud noises or excited, hyper people. That’s why, as a cat sitter, I make sure to let the animal come to me – instead of the other way around. Cats are often very curious and want to sniff the new person themselves.
So I always kneel down in front of them and let them sniff my hand so that we can get to know each other. The animals usually rub against my ankles by then and get involved with the new person.
Many cats also don’t like loud noises. So, for a first bond with cats, it is important not to be too hectic and loud. Cats appreciate being allowed to take the initiative themselves but are also easily distracted by outside influences.
Understanding animal body language
If a cat doesn’t feel like cuddling at the moment, you should respect this as a human. After all, if you keep disturbing your cat while it is sleeping in order to cuddle it, it will generally no longer feel like it later on.
Also, if you interrupt a cat during its activities – such as eating or grooming – it is not at all happy about this. Imagine someone tousling your hair while you’re in the shower or sitting at the dinner table …
Creating routines and building bonds
It’s not just important for a cat sitter to always have a routine. For example, when you come in, you first greet the animal and then associate this experience with something positive, namely food. While the animal is busy, you take care of the rough stuff, such as cleaning the litter tray.
As soon as the animal has finished eating, it can get all the attention it wants. This can be a game, a treat, or a cuddle. This tip is not only important for cat sitters but also for the everyday life of every cat owner. Cats love routine and use it to build a good bond with humans.
Be patient
Some cats simply want to cuddle less than others. I know this from my own experience as a cat owner. My cat Remo had some bad experiences, and although he would let me stroke him, he couldn’t stand cuddling for long.
However, he gradually got over his trauma. He now lies down on my lap and wants to be stroked or even lies under the blanket. When I brought him home with me in 2019, this was still unthinkable and triggered panic reactions in him.
Therefore, if you want cats to feel comfortable, it often involves more than selecting cat breeds known to cuddle. Given the right conditions, nearly any cat can become a cuddler.