What is more endearing than a child holding a cuddly cat? A child snuggling with a purring cat that loves the attention from its small human companion. If your household includes children, consider adding one of these kid-friendly cat breeds to your home.
Have a mix-breed cat, or don’t see your favorite cat breed here? This list contains just a small set of the many cats that do well with families.
10. Ragdoll
This breed is popular when it comes to myth and mystery. It is a large, laid-back, loving cat with a long, beautiful coat, lovely pointed pattern and big brilliant blue eyes. A hybrid breed, the ragdoll was developed after many years of selective breeding, but exactly which cats were used in its creation remains a mystery to this day. While controversy kept the breed from achieving quick acceptance in cat associations, the breed is popular with cat lovers for his beauty and trusting, playful personality.
Although all of today’s genuine ragdolls are descendants from Baker’s original stock, several factions of fanciers exist. Ann Baker was fortunate enough to create her own registry for ragdolls in 1971 called the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA). She also franchises and trademarks the ragdoll name, requiring breeders to pay a royalty fee for all kittens of this breed they sell.
9. Exotic
The breed is commonly referred too as the “Short-haired Persians” and is suitable for people who like the look and personality of the Persians but also want to save their energy on grooming. They have same round massive head, flat face like Persians but the difference lies in their coats as Exotics have short-haired coat which is not only soft but dense as well.
8. Siamese Cat
The modern Siamese Cat can be best described by its blue almond-shaped eyes, a triangular head shape, large ears, an elongated, slender, and muscular body, and point coloration. The breed is popular because it is social, intelligent, and playful into adulthood, often enjoying a game of fetch with its owner. The meow of this breed is very familiar to fans of this breed. And it’s not just for attention – Siamese like to talk with their owners. This is one sleek cat that is very active physically.
7. Maine Coon
Maine Coon is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. It is regarded as a native of the state of Maine, hence why it is called what it is. A number of attractive legends surround its origin. A popular belief is that it originated from matings between semi-wild, domestic cats and raccoons. Another popular theory is that the Maine sprang from the six pet cats which Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution. Most contemporary cat breeders argue that the breed originated in matings between pre-existing short-haired domestic cats and overseas long hairs. All we know is that the cat’s gentle, devoted nature makes it a welcome addition to any family homes with children.
6. Napoleon Cat
The Napoleon Cat is a crossbreed between the Munchkin cat and the Persian cat. It takes the best of both cats – a playful, laidback feline companion. While the cat breed’s short legs immediately capture attention, the Napoleon’s love for and gentleness with children quickly win over cat-loving parents. The Napoleon cat has very few health problems. It also requires only a moderate amount of grooming. Shorthairs should be brushed once a week, while longhairs should be combed about twice a week.
5. Siberian Cat
This native Russian cat breed combines intelligence, friendliness and dog-like qualities in a compact body covered with a plush coat. With a reputation for devotion, the Siberian cat tends to view the children of the house as its own, showing its loyalty to even the youngest kids.
4. Thai Cat
Thai. It looks just like the pointed, Siamese-like cat you may have grown up with, and it has the same sweet, endearing personality you remember. The Thai cat makes an ideal companion for owners of all ages and has a people-oriented, inquisitive personality to complement that of children.
3. Tonkinese cat
With the body type of a Burmese cat and the pointed coat of the Siamese cat, the Tonkinese blends the best of two popular breeds. The Tonkinese cat also shows the best traits of these cats: a social nature and love for people that extends to humans of all ages.
2. Toyger.
The wonderful thing about Toyger cats — if you have to choose just one — is that Toygers love children, and love to play with them. This domestic breed with the wild tiger looks makes an attentive, loving companion in all types of households.
1. Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora cat is quite energetic, which allows it to keep up with the playful antics of children of just about any age. This longhaired cat has a reputation for being a highly interactive breed, lavishing affection on all family members. It is now wonder that many Turkish Angora breed owners in North America consider their cats a treasure as well!