The best family cat breeds are those that fit in with your family lifestyle! This will look different family to family but let’s take a look at the features of some popular breeds and what makes them a good family cat.
Introduction – Best Family Cat Breeds
There is a breed of cat to suit every family. While cats have a reputation of being reserved and independent, there are many cats that are very affectionate and don’t like it when their owners are away. Not all cats get along with other children and pets, but there are some breeds that are good with them. For people with allergies, there are cats that are less likely to trigger allergies. Different breeds of cats have different energy levels and may be better suited to certain types of homes. Before deciding on a new cat or kitten, here is a list of 10 breeds of cats that are good for families.
What personality traits or features are important to look for in a family cat?
Cats are wonderful family pets. While you may have heard that cats are not trainable and are not very affectionate, it is not always true. Some breeds of cat are very social and should not be left alone for long periods of time.
Before you decide to get a cat, it’s important to think about how it will fit into your lifestyle. Will your cat be an indoor cat or an outdoor cat? If you don’t have a lot of space, then you should avoid high-energy cat breeds like Bengals. Are there other household pets in your family? A dog with a high prey drive may chase a cat that runs when frightened. If you have a small pet like a bird or a guinea pig, then you will need to choose your cat very carefully since many cats enjoy hunting.
If you have younger children, then you will have to think carefully about kid-friendly cat breeds that will suit your family. Kittens are usually very playful, and many adult cats will enjoy playing too. Most adult cats will do their best to avoid small children who may treat them roughly. On the other hand, a kitten might not be the best choice as they can be quite aggressive when they play or if they are handled roughly. If there are toddlers in the house, it might be best to wait until they are a little older before getting a cat or a kitten. Although there are many cat breeds that get along well with children, not all cats like children, so before you get a cat, you should probably introduce the cat to the children and see how it reacts.
“Cats are inquisitive, but hate to admit it”
Mason Cooley
While cats are often thought of as low maintenance, this is not strictly true. If you choose a breed of cat with long fur, you will need to brush them at least three times a week. Cats with long thick fur may need to be groomed every day. The RSPCA even recommends that cats with short fur be groomed once a week.
So, everyone will look for something different when it comes to the right breed for them, but if you’re considering good family cats/cat breeds for kids, you might want to consider the following:
- Playful nature
- Affectionate/lap cats
- Easy to train
- Laidback breed, good around other household pets
- Short hair/good for those with allergies
- Social breed, enjoy human companionship
- Gentle temperaments
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What are the 10 best family cat breeds and why?
1. Ragdoll Cats
The ragdoll is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. They are born white and their ears, face and tail darken as they age. They can come in a variety of colours and they have bright blue eyes. Ragdolls are known to be very relaxed and laid back. They are one of the best cat breeds for families with children as they are very friendly. They also get along with strangers, so if you have a lot of visitors to your home, a ragdoll is a good choice. If you have a dog, a ragdoll is a good choice as they can get along with dogs.
2. Persian Cats
With its long thick fur, the Persian will need a lot of grooming. They are a quiet and gentle breed of cat. If you have a noisy and chaotic household, the Persian will not be happy. A household with toddlers is probably not a good fit for Persians. With older children, they can be very playful, but they are not a highly energetic cat. They can get along with other cats and certain dog breeds. They are quite independent and don’t mind being left alone.
3. Siamese Cats
The Siamese is one of the oldest cat breeds. They have a very distinctive look with a light body, dark face, ears, paws, and tail. They tend to be long and thin. Siamese are very vocal and owners often enjoy conversations with them. Social and inquisitive, a Siamese will enjoy a family with lots of visitors. They like to play fetch and will make a great pet for family life with children. A Siamese will need a lot of toys because they are very active and intelligent. They like to be the centre of attention, so they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time.
4. Australian Mist Cat
This is a breed which was developed in Australia by mixing Abyssinan, Burmese and Domestic Short Hair. The Australian Mist is a medium-size cat and has a medium energy level. It is good with children and with other animals. They are fairly tolerant of rough handling and generally don’t scratch. They would be a good pet for a family with small children. Australian Mists are generally very lively when they are kittens but become fairly calm adult cats. They generally like company and can be easily kept as an indoor cat.
The Russian Blue is a medium size cat with beautiful grey fur and green eyes. Although they have thick fur, they don’t shed a lot because its coat is short. A Russian Blue may be a good choice if you have mild allergies. They are intelligent cats that are also a playful breed and enjoy being with the family. They get along very well with children and can tolerate rough handling by toddlers. They tend to be reserved around strangers and they don’t mind being left alone.
6. Birman Cat
Birmans have the same type of colours as the Siamese, but their fur is long and they are larger and heavier. Their fluffy fur is quite silky so it doesn’t get matted and they are easy to groom. They are not very vocal. Birmans are not a high-energy cat and are not very social. They can become very attached to their owner and can be a little jealous at times. They would be a good breed of cat for a calm household.
7. Himalayan Cat
Himalayans are medium-size cats with blue eyes and coats of a variety of colours. They are perfect indoor pets. They can be quite vocal. Himalayans are social cats and enjoy busy households with lots of people coming and going. They are an affectionate breed and loyal, and will enjoy playing with children.
8. Bengal Cat
Despite their wild appearance, Bengal cats are domestic cats. They are hybrids of domestic cats and the Asian leopard cat. They are wonderful family cats because they are affectionate cats and extremely high-energy. Children will enjoy playing with them and teaching them to play games like fetch. Unlike most cats, they like water so they might not be a good match for families with aquariums.
9. Munchkin Cat
The Munchkin is a fairly new breed of cat known for their short legs which is a genetic mutation. Because of their short legs, they are not as good at jumping although they can still climb well. They are playful and easy to train, so they are a good cat breed for families with children and they also do well with other pets.
10. Domestic Short Hair Cat
No list of best family cat breeds would be complete without domestic shorthair cats. These cats are the most common type of cat that you will find in Australia. About 71% of cats are mixed breeds and more than half of them were acquired for free. The Domestic Short Hair is not actually a specific breed of cat. They are actually mixed breeds and come in a range of colours and sizes. The same goes for their temperaments. Before you take on a domestic short hair, it’s important to observe it carefully to see if it will suit your family.
“The Domestic Shorthair requires minimal care and is not predisposed to disease or other illnesses.”
hillspet.com
Conclusion – Best Family Cat Breeds
There are many breeds of cats that will make a good addition to your family. Before choosing a pet, there are a number of different things you need to think about. Are there small children or other pets in your household? Do you have allergies? Do you have time for grooming and playing with your cat? Do you have a lot of visitors? Do you want an indoor or outdoor cat? Is your home large enough for a highly active cat? When you have the answer to all these questions, you can choose the best feline friend for your family.
Don’t forget you can always seek out veterinary guidance on the best breeds, for further information to help you decide, and ask your other family members for their input too!
Some other breeds worth noting or considering:
Manx cats – sweet nature, loves people
Burmese cats – playful and affectionate
Cornish Rex Cats – very active, loves company
Maine Coon cats – gentle, adaptable
