Seniors looking for a feline companion need to make sure they find the right furry friend for them.
Energetic or mischievous cats may not get along so well with an older owner, but there are many breeds that like to lie on their owners’ laps and be loved.
Animals that are quieter and live off company are often suitable for older people, who usually spend more time at home.
The breeds listed below have suitable traits such as friendliness and calmness, and are generally affectionate and people-loving for getting along with older owners.
The overview used information from animal and breeding groups, the International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association, and charities and animal health websites.
American bobtail
The American Bobtail is an affectionate breed who doesn’t like to be alone and makes a great therapy cat.
According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, these cats “bond with their human family with great devotion,” enjoy playing and walking – and are generally fairly calm.
An American bobtail cat.
yhelfman / iStocks
American curl
The American Curl is a physically affectionate breed that loves being around people and, according to TICA, always wants to be with their owner.
Known for their ears that curl back instead of standing up, these medium-sized cats are “balanced intelligent companions” who like to be involved in everything.
American curls also get along with other cats, according to veterinary website Vetstreet.
A girl poses with her curly American cat during a cat show in Bishkek on March 2, 2019.
Vyacheslav Oseledko / AFP / Getty
American shorthair
American Shorthairs are people-oriented and love to cuddle, and TICA says they make good pets for people living alone, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
According to the pet website Pets4Homes, they’re also handy for keeping pests at bay.
An American shorthair cat.
Volchanskiy / iStock
American wire hair
The American Wirehair is an adaptable breed that can live happily as a senior’s lap cat.
An American wire cat.
tihomir_todorov / iStock
Australian fog
Australian Mists love being with their family, and according to TICA, “They’ll be sure to cheer you up with their camaraderie and conversation, and hand out advice when needed.”
An owner kisses her Australian Fog Cat on May 4, 2019 in London, England.
John Keeble / Getty
Balinese
Balinese cats love and love attention and affection. They require attention, so would make a good pet for someone who is home most of the time.
Balinese cats on October 27th 2018 in Birmingham, England.
Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage / Getty
Birman
According to TICA, Birman cats are “ideal” for seniors because they are easy to care for and love companionship.
Life Care Services, the retirement home provider, recommends these cats to older owners. It describes them as “loving, gentle, and intelligent” creatures who “enjoy the companionship of their people”.
A Birman cat sits during an international cat show in Moshav Beit Hefer near the coastal city of Netanya, north of Israel, on December 26, 2009.
Jack Guez / AFP / Getty
Bombay
The Bombay breed is social, loves company, and likes to stick with its owner.
Vetstreet, the animal health website, describes these cats as “calm, gentle, and loving” and as owners of short, velvety fur that is easy to care for.
A bombay cat.
Ed-Ni-Photo / iStock
British shorthair
British Shorthair cats are slightly smaller than their American cousins (see above) and are friendly and loving.
They may not be lap cats, notes TICA, but they do like being with their owners.
Age UK, the UK’s largest elderly charity, recommends this breed for older animal lovers. It describes her as a “laid back personality” who “is not overly active and likes to relax next to her owner”.
This photo, taken on December 14, 2016, shows a male British Shorthair cat at his owner’s home in Hong Kong.
Anthony Wallace / AFP / Getty
Chartreux
Calm yet playful, the Chartreux breed makes a great companion for seniors.
A gray Chartreux cat.
Ice frame / iStock
Exotic shorthair
Exotic shorthairs are affectionate and gentle cats and love to be around their owners.
These cats are fine for apartments or houses, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, but they require daily grooming to keep their coat beautiful.
An exotic shorthair cat is displayed during a world cat exhibition competition organized by the World Cat Federation (WCF) on October 16, 2016 in Istanbul.
Ozan Kose / AFP / Getty
Havana
The green-eyed Havana breed, related to the Siamese, is people-oriented and makes for loving companions.
They generally enjoy sitting on one lap and conversing in a low voice with their owner, according to Vetstreet’s Racial Profile. They’re pretty easy to maintain.
Havana Cat at the NEC Arena on October 27th 2018 in Birmingham, England.
Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage / Getty
Himalayan
Himalayan cats are gentle and calm and like to live in quiet surroundings.
A Himalayan cat in Colombia on March 16, 2014.
Raul Arboleda / AFP / Getty
Khaomanee
Khaomanee cats are great companions, known for being calm and relaxed, which makes them the ideal companion on your lap.
A Khaomanee cat.
Thirawatana Phaisalratana / iStock
Manx
Manx cats are very loving and closely related to one person in the family.
A Manx cat.
Aletakae / iStock
minuet
Minuet cats are charming, extremely affectionate, people-oriented and love to curl up on one lap.
A minuet cat.
eyfoto / iStock
Persian
Persian cats like to be in a quiet environment and are generally very easygoing.
A woman carries a Persian cat during the “SuperCat Show 2017” in Rome on November 11, 2017.
Alberto Pizzoli / AFP
Peterbald
Peterbald cats are friendly and enjoy company and attention. This breed is also very affectionate and will tend to follow their owners.
A Peterbald breed cat at the LondonCats International Show and Expo at Tobacco Dock on May 4, 2019 in London, England.
John Keeble / Getty
Ragdoll
Loving, calm cats, Ragdolls have been known for making relaxed, friendly, and happy pets.
Age UK, a senior citizen charity, advises these cats “to enjoy lounging around and showing some affection to their owners” and notes that all cats can show “bursts of energy” at times.
A Ragdoll cat participates in the Merseyside Cat Show at the Sutton Leisure Center in St. Helens, England on June 1, 2019.
Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage / Getty
Russian blue
The loyal Russian blue cat is known for being kind, loving, and enjoying being around their family.
A Russian blue kitten cat at the National Exhibition Center on October 28, 2017 in Birmingham, England.
Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage / Getty
Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex is an affectionate breed dedicated to their family. These cats are calm and cuddly too.
A Selkirk Rex cat at the National Exhibition Center on October 28, 2017 in Birmingham, England.
Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage / Getty
Snowshoe
The snowshoe cat is generally a mature breed that thrives on companionship and affection.
A snowshoe cat.
Alexander Nalbantyan / iStock
Siberian
Affectionate and playful, Siberian cats love to follow their family. These cats are calm too and make good therapy cats.
A Siberian cat attends the National Pet Show at the NEC Arena on November 4th 2017 in Birmingham, England.
Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage / Getty
Tonkinese
Tonkinese cats are social and like to talk. They love to sit on their owner’s lap and love attention in general.
Burmese Cat Tonkinese at the NEC Arena on October 24th, 2015 in Birmingham, England.
Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage / Getty
Turkish angora
Turkish Angora cats are affectionate and sociable and like to stay by their owner’s side.
A Turkish Angora cat is judged at the LondonCats International Show and Expo in Tobacco Dock on May 4, 2019.
John Keeble / Getty