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The litter tray

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

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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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hellsbells99 · 13/01/2017 00:14

And British Shorthair

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

WhiskyAndTwiglets · 13/01/2017 00:20

Gosh I must have a feisty ragdoll as she will nip the back of my ankles when she wants feeding and she has learnt to imitate the dog's growl.
But we adore her and would definitely recommend! She is more laid back than most breeds apart from when the dog is winding her up, and she is super affectionate.
I just need to feed her more clearly on her on timescale and whim.

Bogburglar75 · 13/01/2017 07:17

Siberian is another to add to the list. We have a young one who adores the kids and is unbelievably laid back. To give you an example, this morning I reached out in the dark and grabbed sleepily for the furry mound I thought was my slippers. It was the cats nose . He didn't protest at all!

Agree with others though that you may do just as well seeking out a moggy with a known temperament.

SoupDragon · 13/01/2017 07:22

The Ono has thing that this thread proves is that you can't necessarily judge a cat by its breed and that everyone has different opinions!

The two rescue moggies I've had since having children have both been wonderful. Even the "scratchy" tabby only ever scratched once, onhis very first day here so he was nervous. The two we had before children were more timid and didn't get on with the kids particularly but that was because of their upbringing (Moscow state circus in an over crowded caravan!!)

SoupDragon · 13/01/2017 07:22

Ono = only.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 13/01/2017 07:26

Soup - the other thing this thread proves is that sometimes a 5yr old thread can be resurrected successfully, without every other new post saying "ZOMBIE!!! "

SoupDragon · 13/01/2017 07:27

Hahahahahahaha! I usually spot those!

How on earth did someone find this thread to post on??

Daisypopslop · 13/01/2017 10:34

I have Burmese that adore children. My 2 year old carries them around they don't scratch. But they are lively and can be naughty, climb curtains steel socks etc.
I agree maybe an adult rescue moggy who likes children may suit you best. My mother has an adorable mog lookalike rescue cat. He likes the children, happy to be petted but disappears when he's had enough.
I was would advise a Burmese but they are attention seeking and can crest mayhem if they don't get it but they are perfect with children!

dnamummy · 13/01/2017 10:47

Roseteapot your post made me smile - since I've had my 2 Siamese boys I haven't been allowed in the bathroom without them- it's like having a toddler again! They sit on the side of the bath whilst I soak and tap any part of me they can reach, all the time "talking" to me, no doubt questioning my sanity for choosing to get wet!

M0stlyHet · 13/01/2017 11:02

Another vote for adult rescue cat here - our current one is fantastic (as was the previous one, who unfortunately got run over). Chosen on a mixture of talking to the staff about which cat would be suitable, and taking DS along with me to play with the cats to see which ones he got on with (and got on with him).

roseteapot101 · 13/01/2017 11:36

dnamummy Fri 13-Jan-17 10:47:37
Roseteapot your post made me smile - since I've had my 2 Siamese boys I haven't been allowed in the bathroom without them- it's like having a toddler again! They sit on the side of the bath whilst I soak and tap any part of me they can reach, all the time "talking" to me, no doubt questioning my sanity for choosing to get wet!

i just find it so sweet when i get home i am welcomed by a very loud oriental lol lovely how they talk to you

SoupDragon · 13/01/2017 12:57

I vote for a Schrödinger's Cat. Both dead and live at the same time... rather like this thread. :o

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/01/2017 13:29

We've all been distracted by the cute cats, you don't look at the date when there's a cute cat photo.

EddieStobbart · 13/01/2017 13:37

I know this is a zombie but am in anyway. I'm surprised about the recommendations of Ragdolls for young children. I'd read they have a tendency to go floppy when picked up (which sounded very odd but hey) so were vulnerable to injury if handled roughly and therefore to be avoided if you have young children. My DCs aren't tiny any more so less of a concern now but is this not true?

dnamummy · 16/01/2017 14:22

Realise not a valid choice vs DCs but thought this would raise a smile amongst most cat servants!

RubbishMantra · 16/01/2017 17:07

Ooh, another Rex owner here, mine's a Devon. He is super chilled, but v. v. playful and mischievous, if that makes sense? Like a little pixie really. The claws never come out during play, and he loves a game of fetch. He loves being picked up and jiggled about, like a baby. Loves being the centre of attention. They do need company though. Whether that be a human, another cat, they don't mind.

Another way to go would be an adolescent who was being fostered by someone who has children, where their temperament is already known.

Or visit your local cat shelters with DCs, and see how the cats you meet respond to children.

RubbishMantra · 16/01/2017 17:13

Oops, didn't realise I was posting on a resurrected thread!

MrsPMT · 16/01/2017 17:13

An adult rescue cat, the shelter will be able to show you the ones that are more placid if you tell them your circs.

I got a 1yr old Maine Coon (I think, fits pics and descriptions) cross from a cat shelter, have dog & child so said I needed a calm cat. She's fab, v laid back, had her a few years now.

MrsPMT · 16/01/2017 17:15

oops just noticed , old thread, still cat pics are always nice

ryderandthepups · 16/01/2017 17:21

I have a Maine coon and he's lovely with my DS, actually comes to lean on him and see if he's ok when he cries x

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/01/2017 17:21

Dna 😹😹

steppemum · 16/01/2017 18:10

find a cat/kitten that has grown up in a house with kids.

Ours was a kitten in a house with a toddler. He came ot us and allowed our toddler to manhandle him, and never scratched her , just looked at me with a rsigned look on his face (obviously we removed cat andtaught toddler etc)

he is still really gentle with the kids, and very hard to scare.

Jonsnowsghost · 16/01/2017 18:20

I know it's old but I have a naughty ragdoll! He's nearly 2 and is still very kitten like, he's not a lap cat but he does like to follow me round like a dog and he growls at people who walk past the window!
He's friendly though and greets me at the door every day when i come home, often sat in the window looking for my car. He's super handsome and definitely knows it

Macarena1990 · 16/01/2017 18:26

We've got a female bsh and 3 kids. She adores our 10 year old but is not keen on the younger 2!

She isn't bothered by the noise but really doesn't like being picked up (with exception of the favoured child!) and will scratch if pulled around.

Macarena1990 · 16/01/2017 18:28

Looking like she is plotting to kill us..

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