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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

What's the best type of breed of cat to have with kids?

79 replies

RattusRattus · 03/11/2011 20:25

I want a cat that is laid back in the extreme. DH not a fan so I want something that isn't likely to scratch and cause havoc (have DD's for the latter so no more havoc needed) - a lapcat ideally.

OP posts:
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suzi2 · 07/11/2011 20:49

I agree about rehoming an adult cat. We have a 3 month old kitten and she's quite simply mental. She has her relaxed cuddly times, in between clearing the dining table of every object on it and attempting to climb the walls. I'm not sure there are many breeds that are guaranteed quiet wee kittens.

I help out at a rescue centre and although some of the pedigrees are more relaxed, there are plenty of laid back moggies. If you're desperate for a pedigree, then there may even be some at rescue centres too. I can think of a few really easy going cats that are just boring old moggies though. The staff will know what the right cat is for you.

topknob · 07/11/2011 20:53

Not a Persian...I had a DSH black cat for 15 years, she died on NYD....she went through all my babies with me and was fanatastic with them. We now have a persian and a dsh tortishell, females again as before...the tortishell is fabulous with the kids, she goes to them as soon as she comes in, lays with them, happy to be picked up...ther Persian however only likes me and occasionally dh..she DOES NOT like the kids AT ALL..she is quite grumpy anyhow at times but will not go to the kids at all. HTH x

hayleysd · 07/11/2011 20:54

We had a Siamese cat when I was little and she used to be pushed round in pushchairs and hardly left our sides, we also had moggys that were fine.

JustRedbin · 07/11/2011 23:03

Not a kitten. Go to a rescue and tell them exactly what you want, most will be only to happy to oblige. We have had laid back pedigrees and complete and utter arseholes. Some of the nicest cats have been dockyard rescue. You have to go and meet them.

KittieCat · 13/11/2011 22:58

RandomMess, our boy is fab. We'd agreed no more pets... until we found him. Go on... You know you want to!

RandomMess · 14/11/2011 19:12

noooooooooooooooooooooooooo do not tempt me!!!!

Can't afford the vet bills!

Niskayuna · 12/01/2017 18:06

Honestly if your DH doesn't want cat hair, scratching and havoc, he isn't going to like any cat. Is her certain he can tolerate one for the next 15 years without creating an atmosphere the cat finds unpleasant (ie: raising voice, shooing it away etc)?

Second... if your DD's are quite rambuctious ("I have DDs for [havoc]") your cat wouldn't like that either...

Rescues can point you in the direction of any of their laid back cats. However, any cat can act up when moving to a new home. Some rescues (at least the ones around here :( ) don't rehome if there are kids under 5, some won't consider until kids are secondary age.

Gumtree breeders are usually scoundrels.

ocelot41 · 12/01/2017 18:32

Interested to see how many votes for Raggies there are here. Had looked at Ragdoll rehoming and almost all of them say no kids and not to be left alone - seems the opposite of laid back?

dnamummy · 12/01/2017 18:55

In the past I've had Burmese (energetic kittens, hunters through until about 10 y.o and the male a fighter, so lots of vet. Is it's, then lazy lap cats for the last 8 years) and Abyssinian boy (thought he was a dog!) Now 2 Siamese boys who play for an hour or so then want to be cuddled for rest of the evening on my lap!

dnamummy · 12/01/2017 18:56

Is it's = visits

dnamummy · 12/01/2017 18:58

Sorry meant to add the first 3 cats were here before DS born and female really loved him from day he arrived and would just sit with a paw touching him for hours.

cozietoesie · 12/01/2017 20:37

I recall my two younger brothers fighting over Firstcat on the washing green - one had him by the front paws and one by the back. And all he did was squawk! (He could have done serious damage any time he wanted to. Wink)

I'd have to say Siamese. They fit.

Oh - and DH would be a fan as fast as fast. Smile

roseteapot101 · 12/01/2017 21:04

ragdolls are sappy but they need brushing,orientals and Siamese are good to but they need a lot of attention i currently have one on my lap lol hes such a talker

Toddlerteaplease · 12/01/2017 21:57

Long hair is a lot less messy as they don't shed in the same way. Persians are very laid back.

ChestnutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 12/01/2017 22:51

Burmese or Siamese. Great with kids and thrive in all the noise. Instead of hiding away when the house is full of kids they are to found in the thick of it all. I think Burmese shed less and I like the chunkiness, a bit more 'robust.

AmyInTheBoonies · 12/01/2017 23:07

I got a rescue cat in May. They were really strict on which cat I could have as I had a 4 year old. They wouldn't give me one which had ever scratched anyone apparently!

There was only one in the rescue at the time suitable. I thought it was all bit o.t.t at the time but she is incredible good. Never scratched and very tolerant of a bit of manhandling from dd.

So on my experience the rescue place will provide you with a suitable cat.

roseteapot101 · 12/01/2017 23:08

yes Siamese are loving but please before owing one watch this ,their mummy is in the shower and they miss her this is how loving a Siamese is

problembottom · 12/01/2017 23:43

My British Shorthair is totally bomb proof. He's laid back in the extreme and very sociable. Our neighbours and friends bring their kids round to play with him and he adores my nieces and nephews. He loves noise, chaos and people!

problembottom · 12/01/2017 23:46

He's not a lapcat tho, he likes to sit next to you on the sofa or on the chair next to yours at the table! I find it quite handy as it's means you can get up and have a wee without disturbing him! Grin

TheABC · 12/01/2017 23:53

I agree with the posters above who say an adult rescue is the way to go. Although I will put in a good word for the maine coon. Purs is really soppy, begs for the baby to play with him, tries to join you in the shower and I have personally seen him grooming a foot away from a full-throttle toddler tantrum.

So if you get matched to a gentle giant. ..that is why.

PenguinsandPebbles · 13/01/2017 00:02

British shorthairs Grin

They are fun when they want to be, but 90% of the time so laid back they fall over one of mine fell asleep on sofa, got up to do "something" was too much effort and just laid on the floor with his legs in the air for an hour before resuming his mission

More like little bears than cats, very affectionate to their chosen human and awesome :)

PenguinsandPebbles · 13/01/2017 00:06

problem just saw your bit about lapcats I have three, two who see me as a sofa and supervise me for everything.

One who sees DP as a sofa and supervises everybody. Boy cat does tend to sit next to me rather than on me in the summer as he gets too hot, he will only sit on me for a little while but is constantly sat next to me.

Love them to pieces!

QuestionableMouse · 13/01/2017 00:06

My ragdoll cross is adorable, loves to be stroked and plays fetch!

kittytom · 13/01/2017 00:12

I have a ginger Tom. Not rescue but adopted as an adult. He lets my DD carry him round and barely raises an eyebrow when I hoover. I couldn't have asked for a more laid back cat!

I also have an outside moggy who chooses not to live with my children

hellsbells99 · 13/01/2017 00:13

Very affectionate Ragdoll here

What's the best type of breed of cat to have with kids?