Family cat suggestions

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Hello,
I always had cats growing up, just rescue ones. They were a bit of a mixed bag, some absolutely amazing ones and a couple of pretty feral ones who occasionally acknowledged us but made it clear they’d prefer we weren’t there 🤣
we have 3 kids (8,5,3) and they’re desperate for a cat. They adore the neighbours who is now becoming a little too comfortable in our garden as they lavish it with attention.

could anyone suggest a breed which would be good with kids and enjoy the attention rather than despise it!

thanks

A ginger boy, plain simple moggie. Ours was from a farm near Coventry for £30 he is the most loving cat, yet likes his own space. He even comes and puts my 8 year old daughter to bed.

An adult rescue from a reputable rescue. Rescues who use foster homes will have a better idea of the character of their cats in a domestic setting.

I second the ginger boy moggy. Mine is obsessed with 13 years old ds they are totally smitten with each other!

IMO, neutered male moggies are the best kind of cats.

We have three and they're all very friendly (with us and each other).

^ this, absolutely. Breed is no guarantee of personality. If you adopt an adult rescue you can be much more confident about the cat's personality and whether they are comfortable around children.

Rescue ginger boy everytime. They are outstanding.

All excellent advice thank you ☺️

does he read her a story? 😂

Siamese , they are the dog of the cat world and are extremely friendly , will play fetch and love to cuddle .

Also very vocal, if you like a chatty cat!

Definitely an adult rescue. You know the personality of an adult, kittens not so.
The sex and colour are irrelevant. Our last cat was a female tuxedo moggy and was amazing with DD when she was small.
I volunteer at an adoption centre and this is peak kitten season so adults are often overlooked. The mums of the kittens are usually there to be rehomed and are often not too far past kittenhood themselves

I don't think you can choose a breed and guarantee a friendly, easy cat. I contacted a rescue and adopted a lovely old girl who was perfect for our family. I was honest about our family set up and said I was happy to wait until the right cat needed a home. The rescue uses foster carers so they had a good idea of how she was in a home setting. She's a sweet angel, we all adore her, and the bonus is that we have given a home to a cat who, through no fault of her own, had lost hers.

We adopted two mums of kittens from a rescue about 4 months ago, both black and white moggies. One, believed to be an ex-pet, is placid and friendly, the other, known to be a former semi-feral, is ridiculously inquisitive and playful. Their kittens had been homed and they were just sitting in a pen hoping for a bit of attention. How could we resist? They've settled in comfortably and get on with each other surprisingly well. They come into our rooms in the morning to see if we're ready to serve breakfast yet and stop for a cuddle. They're absolute joys in their different ways.

We have a tuxedo mixed breed girl cat. She’s lovely and been my DD’s best friend since she was 1 and cat was 10 weeks. She cost us nothing.

I also have a ginger tom from a rescue centre. He's my best mate. He chose us when we were there!

I've had cats for over 40 years now and have got all of them from a rescue apart from one who came from a neighbour who didn't have time for her anymore. had every colour under the sun and both males and females.They have all been an absolute joy. It wouldn't even occur to me to buy a cat to get a specific breed. I would go to your local rescue and see which cat picks you. That's how it works 😊
These two chose us about 10 years ago.

Haha we’re working on it!! 😂

Siamese. Friendly, talkative and playful. We have two and they are perfect family cats.

And another vote for an old fashioned moggy. I would also tend to agree (anecdotally, through personal experience) that doctored Tom cats are friendliest.
I've always found black cats very friendly.
And get two.

Ragdolls.
They typically crave attention, very affectionate, so loving. We have one who is more typical. It gets to the point I have to push him away (toddler trying to nap and he'll just try and squeeze between us!). He'll follow us everywhere. His half brother is more aloof, and not typical Ragdoll. Ragdolls are also known as 'puppy cats' as they are similar to dogs in personality. The only downside it they are usually kept as house cats (mine are) as most wouldn't survive outside. Mine would most certainly flop in front of a car and not budge.

Editing to say - I have a 2 year old son. One will let him cuddle and do basically anything to (so I have to watch he doesn't hurt the cat as he's so laidback!)

Anything with oriental breeds mixed in them will be very people-centred. Ragdolls might be higher maintenance but they don’f mind being carried around by little people. Plus they have lovely blue eyes.

Adult rescue from somewhere that has assessed personality. We have a Maine Coon cross, the breed is meant to be dog like and affectionate, and while he is very clever, loves to play and wants constant company he’s also stand offish physically, occasionally stroppy, dislikes much fuss and can’t be cuddled. Love him to bits and he’s a lovely cat but sometimes he makes it clear he thinks we are all twats 😂

Be careful with ragdolls (and other pure breeds) as there are lots of dodgy breeders out there.

Our Ragdoll is very typical of the breed and is the most wonderful and most absurd cat ever. We just adore him. However as a PP says, he really would not be safe fully outside (he has a catio) and I think that would be difficult with young children who realistically are likely to be forgetful and leave doors and windows open, especially in summer.

Lots to be said for a young adult rescue. My brother has just moved his first foster cat on and she honestly is the sweetest thing I’ve ever met. Settled in at speed and has a beautiful thing going with their toddler. As PPS have said many rescues now use foster homes which makes it a lot easier to assess the cats temperament.

if you really want a breed then I would highly recommend Siberians. We have two due to DHs allergies but they are huge fluffy things who really love to be around their people and have a very sociable, friendly personality.