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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

Best breed of cat to be a dog buddy

32 replies

honeyandbutterontoast · 17/05/2025 19:31

Two years ago our Burmese cat died. He was 15. His best friend was our dog. For 6 years they had a very close friendship, slept together, played together. When dcat died ddog was devastated, depressed, very sad.

Thinking it would help we got a new kitten. A bsh. She’s lovely, super sweet and she doesn’t mind the dog. Sometimes she will even sit near her! But they aren’t friends.

Since dcat died our other dog has died too (she was old as well) and since then really ddog has never been the same. She never runs round the garden playing, she has to curl up on her own to sleep.

So what I’m looking for is a breed of cat that loves dogs, that will love snuggling. Burmese are that way but I’m not sure I can get another one, I need an emotional support pet for my pet! Oh and one that will be friends with the cat too.

any ideas…

OP posts:
EmpressaurusKitty · 17/05/2025 19:33

I’d recommend contacting your local rescues & seeing if any of them has a cat who’s known to be dog friendly.

Original poster
honeyandbutterontoast · 17/05/2025 19:41

No we will be getting a kitten as I’m fairly sure our existing cat would not appreciate an adult cat.

OP posts:
MrsColinRobinson · 17/05/2025 19:53

My bshs have ranged from indifferent to best friends with our dogs over the years.

We now have maine coons who get on brilliantly with the dogs.

I've noticed both the female bsh and maine-coon are particularly fond of the dogs. More so than the boys, but the oldest sometimes enjoys washing the dogs.

I think it depends on the cat's personality more than breed type.

thecatneuterer · 17/05/2025 19:53

Well contact a rescue and ask about kittens. You basically just need something confident. For heavens sake don't buy a kitten. Breeds aren't any better and there are so many unwanted kittens - get one of those instead of paying someone for bringing yet more into the world.

Original poster
honeyandbutterontoast · 17/05/2025 19:55

MrsColinRobinson · 17/05/2025 19:53

My bshs have ranged from indifferent to best friends with our dogs over the years.

We now have maine coons who get on brilliantly with the dogs.

I've noticed both the female bsh and maine-coon are particularly fond of the dogs. More so than the boys, but the oldest sometimes enjoys washing the dogs.

I think it depends on the cat's personality more than breed type.

Are Maine coons happy to be indoor cats?

OP posts:
Original poster
honeyandbutterontoast · 17/05/2025 20:00

No I don’t just need something confident. I need a breed of cat that really likes dogs, as I’ve said Burmese are very dog friendly and they are quite dog like. Some breeds are better for that kind of friendship, some aren’t.

If I thought a rescue kitten would fit the bill I would get one, but I think that would be too big a gamble.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 17/05/2025 20:12

It really doesn't work like that. It's the individual personality of the kitten and their socialisation that counts, not the breed. But hey, you obviously know better.

User450877 · 17/05/2025 20:15

I had a lovely half bengal female who owned my old dog, they were always cuddled together. She came from a house with a dog and children and nothing fazed her. Good luck.

Original poster
honeyandbutterontoast · 17/05/2025 20:21

I agree it’s the personality of the kitten to some extent but having had dogs and mainly Burmese cats over my lifetime, and occasionally other breeds who have not interacted in the same way. All my Burmese always loved dogs and would choose to sleep in bed with them and play with them. The BSH/mixed breeds/ragdoll did not. They would exist happily together, but didn’t interact. The bengal mix I had hated dogs (but that may have been a personality thing).

Im just wondering if someone who has kept dogs and cats together has found their breed seems to have an affinity with dogs. Maybe it’s an oriental cat thing? Could just be because they like to be warm so a dog is a source of heat 😂

OP posts:
PancakePatty · 17/05/2025 20:32

I have a ragdoll and he is friends with one of our border collies (we have 4 collies). All our dogs are working dogs and 3 of them won’t tolerate the cat being near them but our old boy is the most patient dog with people, other dogs and our cat. They are just drawn to each other I think, the dog has never been in contact with any other cat, just our ragdoll.
The cat bounds over to the dog when he sees him, he rubs himself on the ground upside down and paws the dogs chin. I think they are genuine friends.
My cat also runs after my sister’s dog when she is out walking it (we live next to each other). They play a game where the cat chases the dog, then the dog chases the cat (in a nice playful way). My sisters dog is used to cats as she has 2 house cats.
Perhaps a ragdoll? Please be aware the amount of attention a ragdoll needs though, especially when young. And the grooming. Lots of grooming. Mine is not a housecat, we live rurally and he lives his best life outdoors in the summer and curled up next to the radiator in the winter.

PancakePatty · 17/05/2025 20:34

Sorry Iv just seen that you posted about your experience with ragdolls not loving dogs. Perhaps mine is just unique!

MrsColinRobinson · 18/05/2025 09:56

My maine coons are given use of my garden but many are house cats.

If dog-like is what you're looking for they're a great option.

maximist · 18/05/2025 09:58

Surely you just get another Burmese?

Minimilia · 20/05/2025 09:46

Our young rescue boy likes dogs. We don't have one, but lots of our family do so it was specific requirement we were looking for with whichever lovely rescue came to live with us- the rescue charity were really good at matching us to a cat with the sort of personality we were looking for. He's actually made friends with a dog down the road, they 'kiss' each other when they see each other, its the cutest thing! 😂

DancingFerret · 20/05/2025 10:08

Another vote for a Maine Coon; our big affectionate boys aren't at all fazed by dogs and generally get along very well with them (although not every dog knows what to make of them). It's all down to their individual personalities.

RolyPolyKitten · 20/05/2025 14:50

maximist · 18/05/2025 09:58

Surely you just get another Burmese?

Agree with this.
Look at Burmese and choose a kitten with the right temperament that is used to dogs.

lunaswand · 20/05/2025 14:52

Why not just get another Burmese then? You already seem to have made up your mind

Original poster
honeyandbutterontoast · 20/05/2025 15:27

I love Burmese but after losing my last one I just don’t feel I can get another one. It would remind me too much I think.

OP posts:
GingerBeverage · 20/05/2025 15:41

You want an indoor cat that will cuddle up to the dog? Devon Rex.

But! Everyone in the house will need to be OK with the high-level of neediness the cat will have. They will want a lot of affection and warmth, as well as mental stimulation.

RolyPolyKitten · 20/05/2025 15:42

Think about looking at different colours. We have had more than one Siamese over the years, but because they were all different colours, it worked, and they were their own individual cat, not a sad reminder of our previous cat.

lunaswand · 21/05/2025 11:41

honeyandbutterontoast · 20/05/2025 15:27

I love Burmese but after losing my last one I just don’t feel I can get another one. It would remind me too much I think.

ah that's understandable, I could never have another black & white as would remind me of my last one

Catsservant · 21/05/2025 12:22

What about a Burmese in a different colour op. When ours goes I would definitely do that their personality and fur is just amazing. Ours adored our old King Charles so we got a bsh cat as we didn’t want another dog. They do get on very well though although personally I wouldn’t get another bsh mine just ignores us unless it’s feeding time then he’s our best friend 😁

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 21/05/2025 12:44

I don’t think a Maine coin would like being a house cat, it’s an active breed like bengals.

Woukd it be easier to get another dog?

Dozycuntlaters · 21/05/2025 12:59

What breed dog do you have? I have two cats who I had before I got my border terrier, so she is used to the cats and is fine with them. However, I know a million percent if I got a tiny kitten she would see it as prey and go for it. I would never get another cat, I honestly think the cat should be there first so the dog knows its place.

LoveMySushi · 21/05/2025 14:24

Hmm i got a burmese kitten a couple years aho and all hes been doing since arriving here is attacking my dog. Hes not bothered luckily and just has a confused look everytime he gets jumped by the cat, but not all burmese love dogs 🙈 dog was here first, so the cat has known him all his life.