Cat advice: what breed and where to get them?

[BettyBoopBetty]

What cat breed do you recommend for an indoor cat living with small children? Appreciate it's hard to predict but I know some are more suitable than others.
Also, where did you get your cat from? I am not very keen on spending £££ on a pedigree cat from a breeder when there are so many equally beautiful cats that can be adopted from somewhere else. I had a look online, are most cat adoption websites reliable? I mean the ones where people can post their own advert etc.

Moggy from a rescue. Have a google of local ones to you. Kittens are best rehomed in pairs, but there are so many older cats that need a solo home.

Is there any reason you want to keep it indoors?

I would always get a cat from a local rescue centre. My cats are not pedigree but they are still beautiful. They are not indoor cats though. Are you worried about a busy road or something?

I'd vote random mix cat from a rescue. You could get a slightly older one so you have more idea of their temperament.

I wouldn't rehome from an individual and would never buy any kind of special breed for ethical reasons.

I have 4 random cats, all quite mad in different ways but very lovely.

Persian! Gentle, affectionate and a bit dim. Look up St Francis Persian rescue.

Siamese beautiful cats , love attention . I would recommend getting a catio as most cats like to sunbathe .

Definitely a rescue. I adopted an adult black and white cat and he's the most loving, gentle cat ever.

Are adult cats easy to take on for someone who never had a cat before? I'd like a young one ideally, if not a kitten. Will have a look around rescue centres, I think the youngest ones with a good personality will be the first ones to go so not sure how easy it will be?

I do not recommend an exotic (a variation on the Persian but not sure of the same temperament). They are far too anxious for kids. I had to rehome ours after she became a nervous ball of matted fluff when our youngest came along. She just never adjusted and wouldn't let us near her. Broke my heart.

@Meanoldlady my Exotic is the most confident cat I've ever met. She adores people and has absolutely no concept of personal space. She's also very talkative.

Kittens are overrated, get an adult. As their personalities are known.

We got a mum and kitten daughter from a rescue, best of both worlds.

Mum kept daughter in check 🙂 and it was so lovely seeing them together

@BettyBoopBetty adopt a rescue cat or two. Ours were about 2yrs old when we got them (brother and sister so they were used to being together. The are the most gentle cuddliest cats you could hope for. No trouble whatsoever.

The rescues round us wouldn't let us have an indoor cat, felt it was too limiting for the cat. The only ones available were either very elderly or with feline AIDS. We got a rescue cat in the end through contacts and we have a catio so they can sunbathe and sit outside.

I adopted an 8 year old Bengal. Hugely affectionate. Now 20 years old.

If you want an indoor cat, I’d start by asking rehoming centres for info on any cats they have that have been kept indoors prior to rescue. I agree with others saying get an adult cat as knowing their temperament is invaluable.

Rescue centre - look up if you have any small, local ones. Then go along and see which one captures your heart. You will need to discuss with them any that would be suitable as indoor cats as most cats like access to the outside.

Adult rescue that you are confident will be happy indoors. If you get a kitten you never know if it will be content not going out.

i have a happy, confident and slightly lazy FIV+ boy- healthy and definitely robust enough for kids but spends his days sunbathing under the lantern roof. He’s our BABY! Just a big ginger moggy and we adore him.

My very first cat was an adult cat and he really is just the loveliest cat. With an adult you know their personality already but with a kitten their personality can change as they get older. I also adopted a kitten as my second cat and of course I love him to bits but if I was to get another cat in the future I would definitely go for an adult

We've just made a traumatic mistake with a kitten that our big cat can't cope with. Obvs your situation is different but it's made me realise I'd never get a kitten again, he's totally unpredictable and actually quite hard to know. In contrast we got big cat as a young cat and her personality was immediately apparent and a good fit.

Arabian Mau, from rescues in Dubai or Egypt. They can be indoor only although mine go outside.
Very chatty, playful, more like a puppy than a cat in some ways, affectionate. Good health.

Thanks all. Can anyone recommend a good rescue centre in London and surroundings?
Many cats I can see on the RSPCA website are several years old. I don’t mind an adult cat but would rather get a young one as it will (hopefully) stay with us longer than a 10 yo.

Battersea and Celia Hammond I think?

The rescues will have a good idea of the cat’s temperament, get in touch and explain what you are looking for and they will try to match up you up. Celia Hammond has branches in both North and South London.

Our first and only cat was an adult rescue aged 4. She is a ragdoll but that was just a fluke, I was just looking for a moggy and flexible on age.

I registered with several local rescues and it has been great. Dcat is now 5.5 years and a completely different cat from the one that came to us.

She still isn’t a lap-cat but she is amazing all the same and as first time cat owners, it has been amazing.

I highly recommend considering a calico cat for your household, especially with small children. They're affectionate, friendly, and adaptable.
I have an adopted calico named Maya, and she has been a wonderful member of our family. She's incredibly gentle and patient with my children, even during their most energetic play sessions. She seems to have a natural instinct to be cautious around them, which gives me peace of mind knowing they are safe.
And according to this site, calicos absorb negative energy and spread positivity throughout the house. All cats do that, but especially calicos, because of their colour. So it's a great addition to a house.