More affectionate cat breeds

[Bells3032]

Hi all

Following a little intruder to our home (a very cute tortoiseshell who decided our bed was her temporary home) we were thinking about getting a cat. It won't be got at least 6 months as we are planning to move into a house once lockdown is finished.

We both grew up around dogs and I really miss having a fluffy friend to cuddle but realistically we want to start trying for a baby in the next couple of years and I don't think it would be possible for me to care for a puppy and young kids so no dog for at least ten years we agreed. And I'd never take on an animal I didn't feel I could give 100% of its needs.

However we both also love cats too. We know nothing about cats Tbh but we have a while to find out.

Was just wondering if there are some breeds that are more likely to be affectionate (want something to cuddle) that would be OK around kids. We want kids soon and my sister is also around a lot with my niece and nephew who are 5 and 7.

Any advice on where to start? I'd prefer to rehome but worried they might not be OK with kids though I reckon there will sadly be an abundance of unwanted pets in six months.

Help please. Thanks

Go to your local rescues and let the cat pick you.

Can't believe no one has mention Maine Coons.
Amazing cats (I've had a few). The closest thing to a dog without owning a dog.
Mine plays fetch and walks on a lead and loves dogs. Amazingly affectionate although too big for a lap wants cuddles all the time and follows you around the house "talking" a peculiar trilling/chatty noise if you've never heard it.
They are huge though- males can be 9-10kg and they make an excellent talking point when anyone visits they can never get over how massive they are. Truly gentle giants.

@userxx

Yep. Head bumps are how cats greet each other. It's a friendly thing.

My sister has a ragdoll cross who will lay on you and purr. She also licks you and likes to sit on your shoulders.

Mine is just a standard moggie and she's much more temperamental. Sleeps on me every night, loves being close to me but isn't cuddly as such.

Also don't rule out dogs. There are breeds out there who don't needs loads of exercise and love being with people. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for example.

Maine Coons - the fur, the feeding... plenty around for rehoming I should think as they got very popular/fashionable.

I’ve had lots of cats and one was so timid, and never really got over her fear of people, but one on one with me or DH and she was intensely affectionate! Our Maine Coon wasn’t affectionate or our adult adopted torti. I had an adult rescue tabby who was wonderful (unless you objected to being licked) and so loving. My Bengal cross could be affectionate but it was on her terms. My three Ragdolls girls were all loving and sweet natured. However, it is my British Shorthair boy who is in his own league in terms of affection and loving nature (he’s just the best!).

Having enjoyed reading this thread, I’ve come to the conclusion that whilst many breeds might be more likely to have a more predictable personality, cats like to be unpredictable!

Most of my cats, including pedigrees, have been rescues or have have come direct from breeders but been adults that were used for breeding and too old to continue (but still young cats). When homing an adult cat, the personality and affection levels is already known so you know what you are getting.

I'm not really a big believer in cat breeds as to me a cat is a cat and temperament is down to the individual characteristics.

The soppiest cats I've known have been neutered boys, I had a black and white boy who loved cuddles, my tortie girl has got more affectionate as she's gotten older.

Please look into getting a rescue rather than buying a cat.

I’m enjoying reading this as I’m in a similar situation. I’ve no experience of kittens though and think I’d rather rehome an older cat. But Ragdolls, Maine coons, Persian and Burmese breeds are ones I’m interested in.

Wow amazing thank you. I have a lot of cats to start researching!

I have a female rag doll who is very loving, she is loved by all my neighbours, she sleeps with her head in my palm. However quite needy but wonderful.

My ginger Tom was wonderful as was my tabby. Sorry not helping much!

Ooh you could get a Turkish Van cat and call it Bowie

A male Maine Coon.

Siamese, I've had Siamese since I was young, as my mum was a cat lover but was asthmatic. Thye are lovely and have their own personalities. They're quite demanding though !

@SunbathingDragon
I’m interested in the fact you rehomed some cats that were previously used for breeding but had retired. It’s something I’m interested in doing as I have never had a kitten and as you said the personality of the cat is known by the time they retire, I’d be a first time cat owner too, so I think it would be a good option. Anything I should know in particular?

Burmese!

My cat is a rescue moggy and is the most affectionate cat I’ve ever met. He is my best friend .

@Quackersandcheese3 get in touch with the pedigree welfare or even the pedigree Facebook page and say you are interested in adopting a retired Queen/stud and are there any breeders looking to rehome in the near future.

Siamese for sure

@JanetWeb2812

Go to your local rescues and let the cat pick you.

Yes to this! We adopted a 4 year old, black and white, neutered male moggie from a rescue, and as soon as he saw dd, he was determined she was taking him home! It was love at first sight. He's a big softie, loves to have a tread and purr and dribble on her and loves to sleep under her bed too. He's super friendly with everyone and very good natured!

Burmese they literally force cuddles on humans. Amazing cats brilliant with children

I have a siamese rescue and he is insanely wanting to be close. Think under the covers at bedtime; leave the room, and he is shouting; lap in the evening. But the noise! He is not my first Siamese but he is non-stop chatter. The last one was affectionate but that had had to be earned over time. (All rescues). What I would say is that many pedigree rescues have very strict adoption criteria. It can (and does) take years to patiently retrain these cats out of bad habits. This includes Siamese, Burmese, Persian, etc. But both my Siamese have been lovely with my special needs child who has no boundaries and cannot understand that it is the cats choice where they go.

I swear (like you all) that my cat is the friendliest, most loving and funny cat ever.

She’s tonkinese - Burmese Dad and Siamese mum. I love both breeds and she is a fab mix of them both. The chatting (yelling) from her Siamese side does annoy some people, we love it but to be avoided if you don’t like being shouted at for a response by your cat.

@Chewbecca not me! I have two tortie females.

Our two torties keep us entertained and in cuddles.

We got them as kittens and we socialised them REALLY well, we stroked and scratched and head bopped for weeks.

Burmese, loyal, loving and quirky. She used to play fetch. I miss her .

Black cats make lovely pets and they are often overlooked in rescue centres.

They are beautiful