If you want to bring a cat home, but are worried about how it will fit in with your family, then it is a good idea to learn more about kid friendly cat breeds.
While not all cats of a certain breed are guaranteed to have the exact same temperament, there are many cat breeds known to get along well with children.
The cat breeds that get along best with children include Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Scottish Folds, among others. Kid-friendly cat breeds usually do not mind being picked up, and they are mellow and patient. It is best to find a cat breed known for being laidback and social, with little tendency towards aggression or anxiety.
Choosing a family-friendly cat breed can be difficult, as you want to keep both your cat and your children safe.
Take a look at this list of the top ten most kid-friendly cat breeds, so you can find a breed that is perfect for your family.
10 Most Kid Friendly Cat Breeds
If you have children or plan on having children, then getting a cat is a big decision.
You need to consider the safety of your children, as well as the safety and wellbeing of your cat.
Some breeds are prone to territoriality or anxiety or prefer spending much of their time being left alone, which is unsuitable for a household with children.
Young children should always be taught to pet cats gently, and only pick them up when the cat allows them to.
So long as the child is attempting to treat the cat gently, the friendliest cat breeds are patient towards children who are clumsy, or who have not quite learned the best way to pet them yet.
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.
If you are searching for kid friendly cats for adoption, then here is a list of the 10 best cat breeds for families.
1. Maine Coon
Out of all the kid-friendly cat breeds, the Maine Coon is probably the most famous.
They are easygoing and tolerant of children’s silliness and mischief.
In fact, they are so laid back that many Maine Coons do not mind games of dressing up or being pushed around in a stroller!
Some of them can also be cuddly lap cats too, that tolerate being picked up and cuddled!
Finally, the Maine Coon is so playful, they act like kittens even as adults!
They need so much exercise, playtime, and companionship that they actually do better in households with children than without.
Furthermore, their enormous size means they are more tolerant of younger, more clumsy children, provided the children know how to treat cats gently.
2. Ragdoll
One of the best cat breeds with children is the Ragdoll.
These cats got their name from their unique habit of going limp whenever they are picked up!
Do not worry, though, because going limp is not a stress response from them.
Ragdolls are probably the most cuddly cat breed in the entire world, and most Ragdolls would be perfectly content if they could sit on your lap all day.
Ragdolls are one of the most patient and gentle cat breeds in the world. They are happy to 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
Closely related to the famously gentle Ragdoll, the Ragamuffin is just as sweet, easygoing, and patient as their relatives.
They are incredibly social and can become very depressed if they do not get enough love and attention.
They love cuddling with all of their family members, but they tend to bond especially closely with children.
Ragamuffins care most about spending time with people, and they do not really care how.
In fact, most cats of this breed do not mind being pushed around in a stroller or being carried around the house, so long as they get to spend time with their favorite people!
The Ragamuffin is also a large, sturdy breed, so they are more tolerant of rowdiness than some of the smaller or more fragile cat breeds (source 1).
4. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a great cat breed for families with children, and they are also one of the best cat breeds for first time owners.
Cornish Rexes are playful, active, and friendly, but they are not too mischievous or clingy, either.
They love to be held and cuddled, and they have a tendency to follow their owners around when they want attention.
As a result, they are great for children who love to cuddle or carry cats around.
Furthermore, their playful, kittenlike nature means that they will play games like fetch or chase for hours with children (source 1).
5. Tonkinese
The Tonkinese is an incredibly affectionate cat breed known for cuddling and following their owners around.
These sweet cats thrive on companionship and social interaction, so families with children are perfect for ensuring they get all the attention they need.
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 also a playful, active breed that enjoys playing games with children when they are not too busy cuddling.
Since they are quite smart, they can even be trained to play fetch or learn tricks!
6. Burmese
The Burmese are one of the best family-friendly cat breeds because they have very high social needs.
Often called “velcro cats,” the Burmese need a lot of attention and companionship.
If they are forced to spend too much time alone, they can become depressed and may even begin overgrooming out of stress.
Thankfully, these cats are not picky about who they hang out with!
They get along well with people of all ages, including seniors, teenagers, and young children.
Burmese cats are incredibly playful and kittenlike, so they often end up becoming best friends with younger family members (source 1).
7. Siberian
Siberians are confident cats that love being around people.
They are easygoing, but they also are not afraid to establish boundaries.
They will not become aggressive or fearful, but they will not hesitate to leave the room or gently bat you with their paws if they wish to be left alone.
Siberians are also very active and playful, so they can benefit greatly from having children to keep them company.
Siberians like to be in charge, so they can be a bit “bossy” towards children or other pets, but their bold nature means that any children they live with will quickly learn how to treat them appropriately (source 1),
8. Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is an adorable cat breed with enormous, expressive eyes and folded ears.
Scottish Folds are one of the sweetest cat breeds out there, as they love to spend as much time as possible with their owners.
These cats are very gentle and loving, but they prefer to be treated gently, as well.
They will not tolerate roughhousing, so they are ideal for children who can treat them calmly and kindly (source 1).
9. Birman
The soft-spoken Birman is one of the best indoor cats for a family because they are gentle, easygoing, and social.
This is a very social breed that thrives on companionship, and they often follow their owners around from room to room!
They are very calm, laidback cats that get along well with other cats or even dogs, and they also make a great cat breed for families with children.
However, Birmans can get overwhelmed by noise or rowdiness, so it is important to provide this breed with its own space to retreat to whenever it wants some privacy (source 1).
10. Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a firecracker of a cat, with a high activity level and a near insatiable love of play.
They can easily keep up with the noise and activity of children, and are sure to love any game that your kids come up with!
Their doglike personality and incredible intelligence mean they make wonderful playmates for children, but their mischievous nature can make them a bit of a challenge at times.
As playful as Abyssinians are, they typically do not like to be picked up.
These energetic cats are always on the go and do not like to be restrained.
As a result, any children they live with should learn to respect their boundaries and avoid picking them up (source 1).
Conclusion
If you are looking for kid friendly cat breeds, then you should find a breed that is known to be easygoing, gentle, and social.
Cat breeds like Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Siberians, or Ragamuffins are great options because they are tolerant towards being held and cuddled, and they are patient with younger, clumsier children.
However, the most important part of bringing a cat home into a family with children is to properly socialize both parties.
You should socialize your cat to get used to being around people, but you should also teach your children how to respect your cat’s wishes and treat them gently.
Related Questions
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