If you are a pet loving person and when it comes to choosing a pet for a family with children, a cat can be an excellent choice for you. Cats are often independent yet known for their affectionate, friendly and playful nature. They are ideal companions for kids. But all cat breeds are not equally suited to a household with young ones. Selecting the right cat breed for a family with kids involves considering the cat’s temperament, energy levels and compatibility with children. Here we explore an article about 10 best cat breeds for kids that can bring joy, comfort and affection to your family for years to come.
American Shorthair
American Shorthair is a versatile and adaptable breed known for its friendly disposition, low-maintenance coat, and long history as a cherished companion in American households. Whether they’re curled up on the couch or chasing a toy, they bring joy and companionship to their families for many years. Like all cats, they benefit from routine veterinary care, a balanced diet and plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
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- Origin: United States.
- Appearance: They have a sturdy and muscular build with a medium to large size. They have a rounded head, full cheeks, and a straight nose. Their ears are medium-sized and slightly rounded at the tips. However, individual cats may vary in size depending on factors such as genetics, diet, and activity level.
- Personality: They are known for their friendly, easy-going and adaptable nature. They are affectionate cats that typically get along well with children, other pets and visitors. They are intelligent and playful but not overly demanding, making them suitable for a variety of living situations, including apartments and family homes.
- Coat: short, dense and plush.
- Color: A wide variety of colors and patterns, including tabby, solid, calico and tortoiseshell.
- Life span: 12-15 years on average.
Maine Coon
Maine Coon cats are one of the largest domesticated cat breeds. They are beloved for their striking appearance, gentle temperament, and affectionate personality, making them a popular choice among cat lovers seeking a companionable and long-lived pet. They are intelligent and curious, often displaying dog-like behaviors such as playing fetch and following their owners around the house. While their coat is relatively low-maintenance, regular grooming is necessary to prevent matting and reduce shedding.
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- Origin: North America.
- Appearance: They are large and muscular cats. They have tufted ears, bushy tails and tufts of fur between their toes, which help protect them from snow and cold surfaces.
- Personality: They are friendly and sociable in nature and are often described as “gentle giants.”
- Coat: A semi-long, water-resistant, dense, thick, soft and silky.
- Color: A variety of colors and patterns, including tabby, solid, tortoiseshell and more.
- Life span: 12-15 years on average.
Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats are making them a popular choice among cat lovers worldwide for their striking blue eyes, silky semi-long fur and gentle temperament. The breed was further developed by crossing Josephine with other long-haired cats, including Birman, Burmese and possibly Himalayan. They enjoy having access to perches or cat trees where they can climb and observe their surroundings. They have a relatively low-maintenance coat that only requires regular grooming to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Weekly brushing is usually sufficient to keep their coat looking its best.
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- Origin: United States.
- Appearance: Gentle and affectionate in nature.
- Personality: They are often referred to as “puppy-like” cats because they enjoy following their owners around the house, greeting them at the door and even playing fetch. They are generally good with children and other pets.
- Coat: Semi-long and silky.
- Color: Their bodies are lighter in color with darker points on the ears, face, paws and tail.
- Life span: 12-15 years on average
Persian
Persian cats are one of the most popular and recognizable cat breeds known for their luxurious long fur, sweet expressions and gentle personalities. They make wonderful companions for those who appreciate their beauty, gentle nature and low-key personality. Persian cats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangles. Daily brushing is recommended to keep their coat healthy and free from knots. Additionally, they may need occasional baths to keep their fur clean and shiny.
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- Origin: Ancient Persia (modern-day Iran).
- Appearance: Persian cats have a distinct appearance characterized by their large expressive eyes, short muzzle and a broad, round face.
- Personality: Calm, gentle, enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and prefer a quiet environment.
- Coat: Long and thick.
- Color: May be white, black, blue, cream and various shades of silver or golden
- Life span: 12-15 years on average
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian cat is one of the oldest known breeds. They are highly energetic and enjoy interactive play. Their playful nature makes them excellent companions for active families with children. Being short coat, they require minimal grooming. But regular brushing can help reduce shedding.
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- Origin: Egypt.
- Appearance: They are medium to semi-large with a well-muscled body that reflects their active nature. They have large and expressive eyes also.
- Personality: Calm, Social and intelligent in nature. They are very friendly with family members especially children.
- Coat: Short.
- Color: May be reddish-brown, red, blue and fawn.
- Life span: 09-15 years on average.
Bengal
Bengal cats are hybrid, known for their stunning appearance. They love climbing, jumping and exploring. They are playful and require plenty of stimulation to keep them entertained. They have low-maintenance coat but regular brushing can help manage shedding. Additionally, they may need occasional baths to keep their fur clean and shiny. They benefit from routine veterinary care, a balanced diet and plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
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- Origin: United States.
- Appearance: They are medium in size with muscled body. They have large almond-shaped eyes and a wild, confident demeanor.
- Personality: Active, intelligent and playful in nature.
- Coat: Dense, Soft and Silky.
- Color: May be red, brown, black, ticked, grey, spotted, clouded.
- Life span: 09-12 years on average.
Birman
The Birman is a strikingly beautiful breed known for its elegant appearance and affectionate nature. They are often described as “gentle giants” due to their loving and calm demeanor. Their friendly and adaptable nature, making them perfect for a loving home environment. They require regular grooming to keep their fur healthy and free from mats. Weekly brushing is usually sufficient to remove loose fur and prevent tangles.
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- Origin: Sweden, France, Burma.
- Appearance: They are medium to large-sized cats with a broad face and exclusive Roman nose. Their ears are ideally as wide on the base as they are tall and should be set as much on top of the head as on the side. They have striking blue eyes and a bushy tail.
- Personality: They are known for their affectionate and gentle nature. They enjoy being around people. They are not overly demanding but appreciate attention and companionship.
- Coat: Semi-long and silky.
- Color: A wide range of colors and patterns, including solid, tabby and more.
- Life span: 12-15 years on average.
Devon Rex
Devon Rex cats are instantly recognizable due to their unique appearance and playful nature. They are often described as “dog-like” because they enjoy following their owners around and being involved in daily activities. They are also known for their large eyes. Their curly coat requires minimal grooming, but their large ears may need regular cleaning. They are generally healthy but regular skin care is essential to manage skin conditions.
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- Origin: England.
- Appearance: They are small sized cats with large, bat-like ears, a slender body. They have a pixie-like face and expressive eyes.
- Personality: They are known for their lovely, playful and gentle nature. They enjoy human companion.
- Coat: Short and curly.
- Color: A wide range of colors and patterns, including solid, brown, white or mixed.
- Life span: 09-15 years on average.
Burmese
Burmese cats are known for their charming personalities. They are incredibly loving and crave human companionship. They are also known for their playful and energetic nature. They get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family pets. They are generally healthy, but routine check-ups are important to monitor for potential issues such as dental problems, respiratory conditions and overall health.
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- Origin: Burma, United States, Thailand.
- Appearance: They are medium to large-sized cats with a muscular build body. They have expressive, round eyes and their sweet expression add to their appeal.
- Personality: They are known for their calm and gentle nature. They enjoy being around people especially kids.
- Coat: Short and glossy.
- Color: A wide range of colors and patterns, including sable, champagne, blue, lilac and more.
- Life span: 10-17 years on average.
Manx
The Manx cat is a unique and distinctive breed known for its tailless or short tail. They are also known for their gentle and easygoing demeanor, although they can also be quite independent and may enjoy having some alone time to relax. Their gentle personality make them a beloved companion for many cat lovers. You should provide routine veterinary care, including vaccinations and dental check-ups, to ensure their overall health and well-being.
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- Origin: Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea.
- Appearance: They have a sturdy and muscular build with a rounded head and large eyes. The most distinguishing feature of the Manx cat is its tailless, although some may have a short and stubby tail.
- Personality: They are known for their friendly, affectionate and adaptable nature. They often form strong bonds with their human companions and enjoy being involved in family activities.
- Coat: Dense and plush.
- Color: Solid Black (Mixer of black and white or brown)
- Life span: 08-14 years on average.
