Taurus cats: personality, quirks and how to love them

A Taurus cat is born between 20 April and 20 May, under the earth sign ruled by Venus, and they are the household's expert in comfort. A Taurus cat knows the softest blanket, the warmest windowsill and the exact moment your seat becomes free, and they'll be in it before you've finished standing up.

They're not lazy; they're discerning. A Taurus cat simply believes a good life is made of warm places, soft things and the same lovely routine every day.

Taurus cat personality

You'll find a Taurus cat wherever it's softest.

• The knead. Before settling anywhere, a Taurus cat treads the blanket slowly, paw after paw, eyes half closed, until it meets their standards.
• The warm seat. Get up for thirty seconds and a Taurus slides into the warm patch you left, then looks up as if they've always been there.
• The texture test. A new jumper, a fleece throw, a fluffy bath mat: a Taurus cat finds it, sniffs it and lies on it before you've had a chance to use it.
• The fixed timetable. The sunny windowsill at nine, the sofa cushion at noon, your lap at eight: a Taurus cat's day runs like a well-loved train line.

Taurus is a fixed sign, which makes a Taurus cat wonderfully loyal. Once you're their person, you stay their person, and your lap stays their lap.

Taurus cat quirks and habits

Why does my Taurus cat always sit on the clean laundry?

It's warm, it's soft and it smells of you: three things a Taurus cat values above almost everything. A pile of freshly washed towels is, to a Venus-ruled cat, the finest bed in the house.

Why does my Taurus cat purr so loudly when they settle?

Because they've found the perfect spot, and they want the world to know it. A Taurus cat's deep, rumbling purr is a review: five stars for the blanket, the warmth and the company.

Why won't my Taurus cat use the new cat bed?

New isn't the same as comfortable. A Taurus cat would rather keep the old cardboard box that smells right than try an expensive bed that doesn't. Put an old jumper in the new bed and give them a week.

Why does my Taurus cat refuse to move when I need my chair back?

They've settled, and a Taurus doesn't unsettle lightly. Expect a slow blink, a stretch and no movement whatsoever. If you want the chair, you may have to sit on the edge.

The tricky bit: the immovable object

A Taurus cat's love of comfort comes with a strong will. Your seat, once claimed, is theirs for the evening. A blanket moved to the wash is followed by a cat sitting pointedly in the empty space. And a change in the household timetable, even a small one, earns a long, unimpressed stare from the doorway. It isn't sulking: a Taurus cat just likes things the way they were, and they'd like that noted.

How to make a Taurus cat happy

Taurus cats want comfort, calm and a predictable day.

• Give them something soft. A fleece blanket, a sheepskin rug or an old jumper in their favourite spot is a gift a Taurus appreciates more than any toy.
• Find them a warm spot. A cushion in a sunny window or a blanket on a high, draught-free shelf keeps a Taurus cat content for hours.
• Keep the routine steady. Play, cuddles and bedtime at about the same times every day make a Taurus feel safe.
• Offer slow, gentle play. A wand toy dragged slowly across the floor suits a Taurus better than a frantic chase. They like to take their time.
• Make your lap available. An evening on the sofa with a Taurus cat purring on your knees is the whole point, for both of you.

Best matches for a Taurus cat

Taurus cats are happiest with the other earth signs, Virgo and Capricorn, whose calm and reliable homes suit them down to the ground. The water signs Cancer and Pisces match them too, with a love of a cosy evening in and plenty of affection.

The wild card is an Aquarius owner. You like to move the furniture around and try new things; a Taurus cat liked it where it was. Expect a few disapproving stares, then a cat who's decided your new arrangement has one excellent new sunny spot. See how Taurus pets pair with every owner sign on the Taurus compatibility page.

Sharing your home with another animal, or planning to? A Taurus cat accepts a calm housemate gladly, as long as the best blanket stays theirs.

Taurus cats and Taurus dogs: comfort, two ways

A Taurus dog expresses the sign through loyalty and routine: the same toy, the same walk, the same heavy lean on your shins. A Taurus cat expresses it through luxury: the softest blanket, the warmest seat and a long knead to get it just right. A Leo cat wants the best seat because everyone can see them there; a Taurus cat wants it because it's the comfiest.