Last Updated on July 20, 2024 by ellen
If you have children, it is important to know what the best cat breeds for them are. Check out the best cat breeds for children.
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Best Cat Breeds for Children
There are a lot of factors that go into this decision, but one thing is certain: not all cats are created equal! Some can be too active and cause your child stress. Others will love spending time with their new human friends.
In this article, we will discuss the best cat breeds for children and tell you which ones they should stay away from. Check out these pets for toddlers.
Here are a few ways to calm a cat if you have one that’s stressed out. Or, you may want to make this homemade cat treats recipe.
#1. Abyssinian
The African-born Abyssinian is one of the best cat breeds for a family with children, especially younger ones. They are very fun and playful, which makes them great pets for kids. As long as your child’s activity level doesn’t overstimulate them, they will be just fine in this situation!
Their medium hair length makes it easy to keep them clean, and they are known to be highly intelligent cats that learn quickly. The only issue you might run into with this breed is that they like their space and dislike other animals or strangers. So if you have a dog or another pet at home, an Abyssinian may not want any part of it!
#2. American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is another breed that loves to play with children. This breed might also be the best cat for kids because they are very friendly and love to give people affection! They were originally bred in the US, which makes sense when you consider how well-adjusted this breed seems to be around human beings.
Like other breeds on our list, an American Bobtail can become too active if your child constantly pesters it. The best way to avoid this issue is through proper training and pet supervision.
#3. Burmese
The African-born Burmese has a reputation as being one of the friendliest cat breeds out there! It’s no wonder so many families choose them as their pets. If you want a great, calm cat to raise a child with, this is probably your best bet.
They are playful and intelligent, but at the same time, they can be very affectionate. However, if you have multiple young children running around your home all day long, this breed may not appreciate it. But for single or two children homes where everyone is calm most of the time—perfect!
#4. Bengal
The Bengal is one of the more exotic breeds on our list, but that doesn’t mean they’re not friendly! In fact, Bengals are known for their high intelligence and playful nature. If you love cats because of how entertaining they can be and don’t mind paying a little extra cash for a unique looking feline friend then the Bengal will be a great choice.
They have lots of energy, just like young children, so be prepared to put in a little extra time and make sure you are keeping them active.
#5. Birman
If your child is known for getting sad or stressed when there’s too much going on around him or her, the gentle and quiet Birmans may be just what the doctor ordered! This breed was originally bred in Burma to be lap cats and that hasn’t changed much over time.
They love being petted, played with, and spending as much time with people as possible. However, if your kids are restless all day long running from one thing to another then this breed may not work out well—they prefer peace and quiet above all else!
This is one of the best cat breeds for children that is a lap cat.
#6. Burmilla
If you’re looking for a cat that’s great with kids and has a unique look then the Burmilla will be perfect for your family! They are very active and playful, so if your child is known to cause trouble with other pets or get too much energy out during playtime then it might be best to leave this breed alone.
That being said, they are otherwise friendly cats who enjoy spending time with children as long as everyone knows their boundaries. If you raise them properly from day one, these felines can make great companions for all sorts of families!
#7. Chartreux
The Chartreux just barely makes our list of the seven breeds best suited for families with children, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re not great around kids! They may seem aloof and distant at first, but once you get to know them better, they’ll show their true colors of being friendly and playful.
Chartreux cats are known for being calm and quiet which will make life with young children much simpler. However, if your child is very small or can’t speak yet then this breed might be too active for your liking because they love playing and running just as much as the next cat!
This is one of the best cat breeds for children who are active.
#8. Cornish Rex
The fun-loving Cornish Rexes always have something going on—they are constantly jumping from one toy to another or running back and forth between your legs begging for attention. If your child is like this all the time then you may want to consider a more sedate breed, but if you have older children who know how to have fun while also respecting other members of your family then they will love playing with Rexes!
These cats are very active and love spending lots of time with people. You can’t go wrong with a Cornish Rex.
#9. Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is the perfect example of what happens when two breeds are mixed together—they get pure cuteness! Just look at those big eyes and that furry little face—who could resist? This breed mixes some of the best traits from both Persian and American shorthairs which means they’re friendly, playful, intelligent and loyal to their owners. If you’d like to have a cat that’s calmer than the Rex but still playful, this is a good choice for you! If you’re looking for the best cat breeds for children that are calm, choose this one.
#10. Havana Brown
If you are looking for something different for your family then the Havana Brown might be perfect because they have an interesting color scheme! They look like tabbies on their top half, but their sides and belly are black which gives them a unique appearance similar to chocolate or cinnamon swirl ice cream. You will love their look!
They’re also known to take after their Siamese ancestors and love being around people. Of course, if your child doesn’t get along well with others then it wouldn’t hurt to reconsider—Havanas can be picky about who they want to spend time with and don’t appreciate being teased.
Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t simply adopt a cat from the pound. Many mixed breed cats are a wonderful choice for families.
Best cat breeds for children
- Abyssinian
- American Bobtail
- Burmese
- Bengal
- Birman
- Burmilla
- Chartreux
- Cornish Rex
- Exotic Shorthair
- Havana Brown
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Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.