Top 10 Safe Cat Breeds For Kids

Cats have been a popular pet choice for many years, but that doesn’t mean all cat breeds are suited to living with young children.

Keep your children safe by selecting one of the best cat breeds for kids detailed below.

The best 10 kid-friendly cat breeds are Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Scottish Fold, Birman, Ragamuffin, Cornish Rex, Tonkinese, Burmese, Siberian, and Abyssinian. These cat breeds are mellow and patient and do not mind being picked up. Select cat breeds with a reputation for being laidback and social, with little tendency towards aggression or anxiety.

If you are looking to buy a new pet read on to find a great family cat for your family from the friendliest cats listed below.

10 Best Cat Breeds For Kids

Selecting the right cat breed for your family is a big decision as you need to ensure the cat’s personality fits well with your family’s dynamic.

If you have little kids, keep in mind that not all cat breeds like loud noises, or energetic children therefore buying a nervous and potentially aggressive cat breed is not advised!

The friendliest cat breeds listed below will be patient towards children who are clumsy or have not quite learned the best way to pet cats.

On the flip side, older children are usually calmer and quieter than their younger selves so will quickly adapt to the affectionate cats listed below.

Select the right breed by avoiding cat breeds prone to territoriality, and anxiety or that prefer being alone, as these cat breeds are unsuitable for households with children.

The following kid-friendly cat breeds will tolerate a bit of rowdiness but are not afraid to gently bat with their paws or hiss quietly to establish boundaries.

1. Maine Coon Cats

One of the most popular cat breeds is the Maine Coon, known for its large size, gentle nature, and patience with children.

These laid-back, and easygoing felines are the perfect choice for families with young children because they are not phased by active children, nor shared by human interaction.

Maine Coon cats have a reputation for being extremely sociable, with a playful nature that fits well with young children who want to play with them.

These laid-back gentle giants are tolerant of being picked up and cuddled, though are not considered to be lap cats. Instead, these large cats like to sit near or next to their owners.

The Maine Coon is one of the most kid-friendly cat breeds because their playful nature and desire to be the center of attention make them fun to be around!

These social felines will build strong bonds with all family members, though they often have a favorite person who is often the owner who feeds and plays with them most!

Whilst Maine Coon cats are ideal companions, they do require a lot of work and effort. Pet parents must be prepared to groom these long-haired cats 2-3 times a week, and spend 30 minutes playing with their cat daily.

Here are 35 Unusual Facts About Maine Coon Cats.

2. Ragdoll Cats

Ragdoll cats are an excellent choice of cat breed for families with children because they are low-maintenance, extremely patient, and one of the most gentle cat breeds in the world.

The Ragdoll earned its name due to its unique habit of going limp whenever it is picked up!

This unusual cat behavior makes them a great choice for families with young children who treat their cats like teddy bears!

The Ragdoll has a fluffy coat and bright blue eyes. They are known for their sweet personalities and are good cats if you want a lap cat.

This cat breed loves being cuddled and will happily sit quietly while their child companions dress them up, have tea parties with them, or snuggle with them on the couch after school.

3. Ragamuffin Cats

The Ragamuffin is a sweet, easygoing, patient, and affectionate breed of cat that would fit well into a family home with children because they are more tolerant of children’s rowdiness.

This large, sturdy cat breed loves cuddling with all of their family members, though they tend to bond more closely with children. The more time they can spend with their family, the better!

These sociable and friendly cats do not mind being pushed around in a stroller or being carried around the house, so long as they are getting to spend time with their favorite people.

However, the downside to owning a Ragamuffin cat is that they become very depressed if not getting enough love and attention.

4. Cornish Rex Cats

The Cornish Rex is one of the best cats for families with children, whilst also being a great cat breed for first-time pet parents.

Cornish Rexes are one of the most playful breeds of cat, so if you are looking for a family pet that loves interactive play, this friendly breed is a good fit for your family.

This is the best cat breed for kids because their playful, kittenlike nature means they’ll happily play games like fetch or chase for hours. They also love being held and cuddled (source 1).

The Cornish Rex enjoys family life and is not considered to be too mischievous or clingy, but they will follow their owners around the house when they want attention.

5. Tonkinese Cats

The Tonkinese is a popular breed known for being incredibly affectionate.

These sweet cats thrive on companionship and social interaction, so families with children are perfect for ensuring they get all the attention they need.

This cat breed loves cuddling and following their owners around. They also enjoy being held and picked up, which makes the Tonkinese a great option for children who love to pet and hold cats.

The Tonkinese is a playful, active breed that enjoys playing games with children when they are not too busy cuddling their pet parents.

The smart felines can be trained to play fetch or learn tricks!

6. Burmese Cats

The Burmese cat is the ideal addition for families with children because they are full of life, incredibly playful, and have a kittenlike nature.

They get along well with people of all ages, including seniors, teenagers, and young children because they are not fussy about who they hang out with!

Burmese cats are one of the best cat breeds for kids because they often become best friends with younger family members (source 1).

The downside to owning a Burmese cat, however, is that they have high social needs. This has earned them the nickname “Velcro cat,” since they need a lot of attention and companionship.

If left on their own for too long they can become depressed and stressed, which might lead to overgrooming.

7. Siberian Cats

Siberian cats are confident felines that love spending time with people.

They are one of the family-friendly cat breeds you should consider if you have young children because they are easygoing, but not afraid to establish boundaries.

These beautiful cats are very active and playful, so benefit greatly from living with children that enjoy keeping them company.

Siberian cats like to be in charge, so are considered a little bit “bossy” towards children or other pets.

Whilst they are not considered aggressive in nature, their bold nature means children have to learn how to treat them appropriately since they won’t hesitate to gently bat you with their paws if they want to be left alone (source 1).

8. Scottish Fold Cats

The Scottish Fold cat is an adorable cat breed with enormous, expressive eyes and folded ears.

They are one of the sweetest cat breeds out there, and love spending as much time as possible with their owners.

These sociable cats are very gentle and loving but prefer to be treated gently, therefore are best suited to families with older kids.

Scottish Fold Cats will not tolerate roughhousing, so are best suited to families where children treat them calmly and kindly (source 1).

9. Birman Cats

The soft-spoken Birman cat is one of the best indoor cats for families with children because these cats are:

• Gentle
• Easygoing
• Social

The Birman cat breed thrives on companionship and often follows its owners around from room to room.

This is one of the best cat breeds for kids because they are very calm, laidback cats that get on well with other cats and even dogs.

However, please note that Birman cats do get overwhelmed by noise or rowdiness, so it is important to provide them with their own space that they can retreat to when they need privacy.

10. Abyssinian

The Abyssinian cat is a firecracker of a cat!

They have high energy levels and a near-insatiable love of play which enables them to easily keep up with the noise and activity levels of children.

These cats have a unique appearance, doglike personalities, and are incredibly intelligent so make wonderful playmates for children.

However, before buying an Abyssinian cat keep in mind that these energetic cats are always on the go and do not like to be restrained, therefore will not like to be picked up.

They also have a mischievous nature that can make them a challenge at times!

Conclusion

If you are researching the best cat breeds for kids, these kid-friendly cat breeds are a great place to start because many are easygoing, gentle, and sociable.

Cat breeds like the Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Siberian, or Ragamuffin are great family-friendly cat breeds because they are tolerant of being held and cuddled. They are also patient with younger, clumsier children.

Related Questions

Cutest Cat Breeds

Most cat owners agree that all cats are adorable, but some of the cutest cat breeds are the Scottish Fold, Ragdoll, or Singapura with their huge, expressive eyes and beautiful fur.