Best Cat Breeds for Kids

12 Best Cat Breeds for Kids [2024 Buyer’s Guide]

Just because you don’t have the space, time, or expertise for more than a dog doesn’t mean your family is stuck with just one pet. Cats make wonderful alternatives to dogs (or even as an addition to dogs!) and offer so many different breeds, sizes, and personalities that are perfect for children. You may ask, “What are the best cat breeds for kids?” Which ones are kids Friendly?

The answer truly depends on multiple factors. Any cat can do well in a family with small children. Most cats are calmer and easier to control than dogs, but cats can still be aggressive and territorial, especially when they are young. So you need to know just the right breed of cat to get!

Before buying a cat, check with your veterinarian to see if it is the right cat for your family.

However, ever extensive research, here are the 12 best cat breeds for kids!

12 Cat breeds Safe For Kids

There are many breeds that are great with children but here are the top cat breeds that are good with kids:

Maine Cat

1. Maine Cats For Kids

This is one of the biggest cat breeds so it needs plenty of room to roam. It is a very affectionate breed and a gentle giant that kids adore. It also gets along well with dogs.

Maine’s are very large cats. Maine cats are known for their long fur which is often up to 18 inches, which contributes to their extreme size. These cats are also known for their gentle and docile nature, making them popular pets among kids.

They come in a variety of colors, including black, brown, blue, chocolate, cinnamon, cream, grey, and white, and have a booming voice and can be quite vocal.

A Maine is a domesticated short-haired cat with a black coat. It’s also known as the American Lion.

2. Abyssinian cat For Kids

This slender, lively breed is known for its love of water and has a mind of its own. They do not like to be left in one place for long periods of time, so they make poor pets for many adults. They do well with kids.

Abyssinians are a sub-type of the larger group of domestic cats. They were once called the “wild cat” because of their feral nature and their ability to climb trees and escape predators.

Abyssinian Cat

They are now domesticated and still retain some of the wild characteristics like being more adventurous than other house cats, climbing higher, and their independence.

The Abyssinian is a cat that was developed in the country of Ethiopia. It is a domestic short-hair cat with a black body and white head and facial markings. The Abyssinians are energetic, lively, intelligent, and social cats that get along well with children.

3. Siamese cat For Kids

These cats are very gentle and playful. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time so they make good family pets, especially with kids. Their smooth and shiny coats are easy to maintain and love attention from the kids.

Siamese cats are usually very active and require an owner who can keep up with their playful personality. These cats need a lot of attention and interaction as well as stimulation. They are often involved in show business and need to perform on a daily basis.

The Siamese cat is so affectionate that they will follow their owners around the house, nuzzling them on the back or rubbing their heads across the owner’s lap.

Siamese Cat

4. Ragdoll cat For Kids

These are excellent cats that get along well with other pets, especially dogs. They have a sweet temperament and like to be petted by everyone in the family

Ragdoll is a breed of cat characterized by a soft, silky coat of fur. The breed was developed in the United States in 1955 by Ann Baker.

Ragdoll Cat

Ragdoll is a widely popular cat breed that has a medium size and fluffy coat. They are known to be loveable, playful, and “climb like a monkey.” Ragdolls are social cats and love being around people.

Ragdoll cats are a very popular breed of cat. They have large proportioned bodies, floppy ears, and the ability to tolerate high temperatures. They are often referred to as the “Hollywood cats” because they are so well-known in Hollywood.

5. Manx cat For Kids

This is a large cat that loves to be around people and gets along well with other pets in the family. The Manx has unique markings with no tail, so they get along well with kids because they won’t scare them.

Manx Cat

Manx cats are a type of cat with short legs and a long tail, they have a distinctively “ubiquitous” appearance.

The Manx cat is a breed of domestic cat with short legs and a short, thick, tapering body. The Manx is known for its even temperament, curiosity, independence, and its friendly personality.

6. American Curl cat For Kids

If you are looking for a cat that is easy to care for, this is the one for you. It has long hair without shedding and will want to be social with everyone in the family.

American Curl cats are known for their curious personalities and loving natures, making them the perfect fit for any home or family.

American Curl Cat

They are also very active, requiring regular feeding and care. With a playful personality that is easy to be around, these cats can also be great for kids as companions.

The American Curl is known for its short, soft, and silky coat. It looks like a ball of fluff, with a long tail at the end.

7. Domestic Shorthair cat For Kids

These are the most common cats that children love because they are social and friendly with everyone they meet. There is not much grooming needed and they will enjoy being around the family all day long.

Domestic Shorthair cats are, on average, less expensive to purchase than other breeds of cats. They are generally smaller than their Siamese counterparts and don’t have more complicated grooming needs.

Domestic Shorthair Cat

Domestic Shorthair cats are smaller in size and make excellent pets for children. They do not shed, so they are great for households with allergies.

8. Oriental Longhair cat For Kids

These cats are very affectionate and playful. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, so they make good family pets, especially with kids. Their silky and shiny coats are easy to maintain and love attention from the kids.

Oriental Longhair cats are named for their long, silky fur. They are known to be intelligent cats that can learn new commands and tricks quickly. They can also be quite social and friendly, especially with children.

Oriental Longhair cat

The Oriental Longhair is a cat with a long and luxurious coat. The coat color is typically white, but can also be cream, fawn, apricot, platinum silver, blue silver, or chocolate silver. They have been around for over 500 years in Japan and Korea. These cats are gentle and intelligent animals that like to explore their surroundings.

9. Tonkinese cat For Kids

This is a large cat that loves to be around people and gets along well with other pets in the family. The Tonkinese has unique markings with no tail, so they get along well with kids because they won’t scare them.

Tonkinese cats are a variety of small cat that originates from China/Thailand. They have long, silky fur and come in a variety of different colors. They’re very popular in America and can be found as pets in every state.

Tonkinese Cat

Tonkinese cats are often called the “good luck cat” because they bring great fortune to their owners.

Tonkinese cats are a real favorite because they have those special markings on their faces that make them especially lovable.

10. American Longhair cat For Kids

This is one of the largest cat breeds and needs plenty of room to roam. It is a very affectionate breed and a gentle giant that kids adore. It also gets along well with dogs.

American Longhair cats are a new breed of cat that is becoming more popular day by day. They have soft fur that comes in many colors, including brown and white. They also have large, round eyes, making them look just like children! In addition to their adorable appearance, they are very intelligent and easy to train.

They have a long, thick coat that is mostly orange in color. This coat comes with the ability to grow up to 15 inches in length and up to 6 inches in width.

11. Scottish Fold cat For Kids

This is one of the most popular breeds because it looks like a Persian but it has no hair problems even though they have long hair.

Scottish Fold cats are very popular because of their unique folded ears. They have a very friendly and loving personality. These pets are great for children and families that want a pet with a playful spirit that loves to snuggle up on the couch and take naps with them.

Scottish Fold Cat

Scottish Fold cats are known for their beauty and their Cunning, but they also have four legs with opposable thumbs that enable them to do things like play catch with a ball.

In addition, Scottish Folds are noted for their devotion to humans and their ability to curl up on laps when you need a nap.

The Scottish Fold cat is a breed of cat with a unique genetic mutation. Usually, cats have flat faces and ears that fold over, but the Scottish Fold has a concave face and ears that lay straight back down.

12. Himalayan Cat For Kids

Himalayan cats are a type of domesticated cat that originated in Asia. These hardy, long-haired cats were first bred for their resistance to cold weather and for their unusual appearance.

Himalayan Cats are often used as a breed to breed other cats. They have a unique coat that is curly and they have big teddy bear eyes that look like they’re always smiling.

Himalayan Cat

Himalayan Cats aren’t only beautiful, but they’re also intelligent, which has its own set of benefits for kids! These cats love playtime and their hectic personalities make them perfect for children’s toy collections.

9 Ways to Help Choose The Perfect Cat Breed for Kids

It depends. Any cat can do well in a family with small children. Most cats are calmer and easier to control than dogs, but cats can still be aggressive and territorial, especially when they are young. Below are some tips to help you choose a cat that is the right fit for your family

1. Choose a cat that is playful

Cats that like to play will be perfect for families with kids because they will enjoy playing with them.

2. Find a cat that gets along with other pets

Cats that get along well with dogs will do better in a home with pets, especially kids.

3. Select a cat that is not active during the night

Cats active at night will wake up the family, especially the young children so consider choosing a breed that is calmer during the day.

4. Choose a cat with markings

Calico and tabby cats are more likely to be good around children because they are playful but calmer than solid-colored cats.

5. Consider a cat that is intelligent

Cats that are smart and easy to train will make good pets for children.

6. Consider a cat with long hair

Long-haired cats do not shed as much hair so they are less messy but you have to get up every day and clean their coats.

7. Choose a cat that purrs a lot

Cats that meow a lot can be very entertaining for kids because they will recognize the human speech sounds and respond to them.

8. Consider a breed that is friendly with people

Cats that are friendly with people will be more likely to adapt well to your family, especially the kids.

9. Consider a cat that does not shed much

Cats that shed little or no hair will be less messy than cats with long coats and they may not have hair problems in the house.

Conclusion

For you to find the Best cat breeds for kids you need to know about the breed, your children’s personality types, and their living environment.

In this article, we have reviewed the 12 best cat breeds for kids. Now you just need to find a breeder who will be able to help you select the right breed that fits your family and your children.