Which cat for nervous children?

[sallycinamon]

Thinking of getting a kitten but our children are both quite wary of animals. Which would be a good breed? I was thinking about a Ragdoll.

Thanks!

[RedwingWinter]

Ragdolls are excellent with children. My friend has two and they are really patient with her small kids.

[4c4good]

Why are your children wary of animals?
I'd tackle this first, tbh.
Then adopt a cat from a reputable rescue, explaining the situ in detail rather than one that's been selectively bred - esp a poor creature selectively bred from a tiny gene pool to act like an animated stuffed toy.

[KatharineClifton]

yy to 4c4good.

An adult cat would definitely be better. Rescue centres will have ones that are used to children and are stuffed to the gills with animals due to the recession.

[DrinkYourWeakLemonDrinkNow]

Tabby's are very affectionate but I don't think you necessarily need a special breed. An everyday moggy can be just as much a joy as a family pet.

Agree about tackling dc's wariness re animals first. A pet needs to feel secure and not feared or it could become nervous if it receives a scared reaction.

[AnyoneButLulu]

Yes tackle fear and then go for a good rescue centre who really know their cats - they'll find you the right cat for you.

[KatharineClifton]

Um, not all tabbies are. I have one that is completely horrible.

[peggotty]

Definately an adult rescue cat. You know what you are getting - kittens are a gamble as far as temperament go, even pedigrees. Why spend a fortune on a breed when rescue centres are full of beautiful, affectionate adult cats who are desperate for a new home...

[MangoMonster]

Ragdolls are affectionate but it's really based on the individual cat and their personality. Maybe try a rescue home where you can get an idea before hand. Kittens are not always the best starting point if a child is nervous.

[Marne]

I agree with the others, get an adult cat from a rescue centre, they will know the cat and if its likely to sit on laps or scratch. We made the mistake of getting a kitten when dd1 was younger, she was petrified of it, the kitten was hyper and would chase her feet, climb the curtains, in the end we had to get rid (went to a nice home), you just don't know with keittens, some are lovely but most are very playful and will scratch. We have sinse (3 years later) go another kitten off a friend, he's a little bit older and i had seen him a few times before i bought him home, he wasn't a playful kitten, just very cuddly. Dd1 is still slightly nervous but luckily the cat doesn't chase her around and seems to know that dd1 isn't keen on him, he sleeps most of the day and is a lap cat.

Please don't spend a fortune on a pedigree as theres a chance you may not be able to keep it (if dd doesn't take to it) plus there are so many cats that need re-homing .

[seeker]

But not a good idea to get q cat if your children are wary of animals- the potential for both children and cat to be unhappy is huge. Have you got a farm park or similar near you?

[tabulahrasa]

I'm not against responsibly bred pedigrees, and different breeds definitely have different personality traits, but...

A kitten is overwhelmingly a kitten, they all climb up your walls and curtains, decide that your feet must be killed as you walk past and randomly decide that your hair is the best cat toy ever.

A ragdoll kitten may grow up to be a lively affectionate cat with all the personality traits they usually have ( of course it also may not, cats are still contrary when they're pedigrees) but it'll start off as a demented kitten.

[TheThunderboltKid]

If your children are nervous of animals why are you thinking of getting a kitten?

[henryhsmum]

Tonkinese are extremely people friendly and bomb proof, more dog like personality wise. I actually would say a kitten is better than an adult cat as a child can bond more with a kitten and grow up with it. Also cats adapt more to situations if they are used to them from a young age.