15 Best Cat Breeds for Families With Kids

We turned to the experts for a primer on cat breed characteristics, finding your pet personality match, and helping your kids and critters live happily ever after.

By: Lauren Oster

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What's In a Breed?

Cat breed diversity is fairly limited compared with dogs. According to a 2008 study, most cat breeds were developed in the last 150 years; as we’ve bred dogs (for specific physical and behavioral characteristics) for thousands of years, it stands to reason that the differences between a Burmese and a Bengal seem trifling compared to the differences between, say, a Maltese and a Mastiff.

That said, vets, behaviorists and adoption pros have plenty to say about the characteristics that can help ensure love matches between kitties and kids, as well as observations about breeds and mixes that have fit those characteristics in their experience. Petfinder allows would-be adopters search for cats in need according to breed, and general web searches can lead you to breed-specific cat rescues around the country. Fair warning: Though you might think you’ve got your heart set on a particular sort of feline, the most important part of adopting a prospective pet — that is, meeting them and gauging chemistry with each member of your family — could lead you to fall in love with a cat you might never have envisioned in the first place. Ready to start looking? Read on to learn about kitties that will love your kids (and vice versa).

More Tips: How to Prepare and What to Expect When Adopting a Cat

Low-Maintenance Furballs

The simplest way to minimize cat hair buildup — and the need to tackle cat hair buildup by vacuuming and dusting — is to bring home a cat with no hair, right? Not quite. When considering so-called low-maintenance kitties, "many people immediately think of a hairless breed, such as the Sphynx, but while hairless cats won't shed, I wouldn’t call them low-maintenance: Hairless cats need weekly baths and frequent ear cleanings to help control the oil and dirt that fur usually helps wick away," says Annie Valuska, Ph.D., senior pet behavior scientist at Purina.

"Although all cats benefit from occasional brushing (and nail trims), short-haired cats such as Siamese, Devon Rex [above] and Cornish Rex are known to shed less heavily than some other breeds," she explains.

High-Energy Types

Looking to pair a lively cat with your lively kids? "Abyssinian [above] and Bengal cats are known for their high energy levels and interest in play," Dr. Valuska notes. Just as human little ones need lots of ways to wind themselves down, vivacious cats will need help blowing off steam, too. "These breeds require a lot of exercise (think strenuous play sessions chasing the feather wand around the house several times a day) and, because they can get bored easily, benefit from other types of enrichment such as food puzzles, climbing shelves or a catio."

Play Buddies

The key to preparing potential playmates like the Bengal [above] for your kids — and vice versa — is to help everyone understand cues.

"Kids should be taught how to appropriately interact with a cat, and children and adults should stay attuned to the cat's body language — if the cat shows signs of stress, such as eyes that are very wide or squeezed shut, ears that are flattened or rotated away from the front of the face, or a tail that's tucked under the body or rapidly flicking back and forth, take a break," Dr. Valuska says. "Cats can get overstimulated from too much petting, so keep sessions short, especially in the early stages of the introduction – it's important to always end on a positive note when you’re trying to build that relationship!"

Explanation, Valuska continues, is all-important. "Take advantage of children's natural curiosity to ask 'Why?' and help them to see that their cat communicates through behavioral signs when they want to be petted, to play, if the interaction is getting to be too much for their cats, etc. By telling kids the cat behavioral signs to look out for, parents will be teaching kids to have empathy for their cats."

Gentle Giants

Pound for pound, Maine Coons are one of the largest cat breeds — and they look even larger, thanks to their magnificent shaggy coats, tufted paws and thick tails. They're also one of the most popular breeds, given their tendency to be friendly, affectionate and obedient. (The well-trained felines who played Mrs. Norris in the Harry Potter movies were Maine Coons — and three of them were rescues.) They're also known to thrive around kids and dogs.

To build on all of the Maine Coon's excellent potential traits, "[t]ry to create a positive association with [your] kids by offering treats and affection while the kids and the cat are sharing the same space; if that's going well, let the child offer a few treats or (if they're old enough) play with a feather wand," Dr. Valuska advises. "Create a place — such as a bed on a cat shelf or cat tree — where the cat can observe the children without feeling too vulnerable."

Less Allergenic Cats

Before we get into breeds, let's get into a bit of science. "The primary allergen that causes allergic reactions in people is Fel d1," explains Wailani Sung, DVM, director of behavior and welfare programs at the San Francisco SPCA. "It is a glycoprotein produced in sebaceous glands. They are found in the cat's saliva, anal glands, sebaceous glands, skin and fur. Some people have an allergic response within minutes of meeting a cat. Some people may have a response after spending several hours in the company of cats. Unless the person wants to get allergy tested by their doctors, spending time with a cat will help the person determine if they are allergic."

Bearing in mind that the best cat for an allergic or potentially allergic person is the one that quite literally doesn't irritate him or her, then, the Balinese [above] is known to produce less of the Fel d1 allergen than other breeds do; the same is said of Siberians and Russian Blues.

Social Butterflies

Charismatic, outgoing Siberian cats boast long hair that developed, as their name suggests, to insulate them against harsh winter conditions; they evolved over the centuries as a natural breed before catching breeders' eyes in the late 20th century. Aficionados say that Siberians retain their kittenish personalities until they're about 5 years old, and their playful intelligence is well-suited to active families.

Cuddlers

Notorious for what’s known colloquially as "the Ragdoll flop" (that is, a tendency common in the breed to go limp when picked up), the often-docile, sweet-natured Ragdoll [above] is celebrated for its snuggle-worthiness. "It's true that Ragdolls have the reputation of liking to be held (as do some other breeds like the Scottish Fold and Burmese)," Dr. Valuska says, "but I would caution anyone who has their heart set on a cuddly cat to assess more than just the cat's breed at the time of adoption — all cats are individuals, so there will definitely be some cats who belong to those 'social breeds' that actually don't like being held!"

Happily, shelter staffers, adoption specialists and fosters can help steer your family toward a cuddly cat. "If you're adopting a cat or kitten and affection is important to you, make sure you ask someone who knows the cat well whether the cat is a cuddler — then continue to practice and reward that affectionate behavior once you get home," Valuska advises.

Well-Socialized Kittens

No matter what sort of cat you decide to bring home, it's essential to set the stage for stress-free interactions with kids as soon as possible — and that's especially important when you're dealing with kittens. "If you're adopting a kitten, socialize them with children of different ages (safely) as early and as frequently as possible, even if there aren’t children in your home yet," Dr. Sung advises.

"Kids can sometimes be perceived by pets totally differently than adult humans are, so it's important to teach kittens about adults and children during their critical socialization period (up to 4 months of age)."

This kind of chaperoned exposure will also affect your cat's character as a general proposition. "So much of a cat's personality is shaped by how they are socialized when they're young—exposing a kitten to a variety of people, places and things can build a foundation of confidence that is more likely to lead to a 'dog-like' adult cat," Dr. Valuska says. Speaking of the mythical dog-like cat…

"Dog-Like" Felines

"In my opinion, 'dog-like' typically refers primarily to sociability and trainability. Cats that seek human affection, greet strangers at the door, walk on a harness or play fetch may all be described as 'dog-like,'" Dr. Valuska says. "While it's true that some breeds, such as the Manx [above], Ragdoll and Maine Coon seem predisposed to that social, playful temperament, I firmly believe that there are individuals from almost every breed that can display those same traits!"

Lap Cats

"[Like Ragdolls, Scottish Folds and Burmese], Tonkinese and Birman cats [above] are known for being lap cats – but as I mentioned [when we talked about cuddlers], there is a lot of individual variability, so prospective pet parents would do well to get to know the cat's temperament a bit before adopting," Dr. Valuska says.

"Owners that are interested in making their feline friend into more of a lap cat should do the following: ensure the cat feels safe in the space; work on building the bond with their cat through positive interactions, including playing, treating and petting sessions; and reward the cat for sitting on their lap – for some cats, that may mean a favorite treat or petting them (most cats enjoy scratches on their head and cheeks), but other cats may prefer to be left alone once they settle in."

Love Bugs

Dr. Sung notes that Persians [above] and Himalayans are also known for favoring their humans' laps. With a reputation for affection that can extend beyond members of the household to guests, these short-muzzled, silky-haired cats have been America's favorite breed since the '70s. Known to some as "furniture with fur," the elegant, often-easygoing Persian tends to be fond of long brushing sessions (which is fortunate, since all that gorgeous hair needs to be brushed and combed daily).

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Eager Students

If you fantasize about helming an amateur cat circus, "Bengals, Siamese [above], Manx and Burmese, in my experience, are active, smart and interested in play and training," Dr. Sung says. "[A]lmost any cat can be taught to play fetch, especially if you start when they're a kitten," Dr. Valuska notes. How does one train a cat, you ask? "Although more commonly used with dogs, clicker training is a very effective method to teach cats any behavior – including fetch."

Cool Customers

The round-faced, cuddly-looking British Shorthair isn't known for demanding attention or amusement; as fans of the breed report, these handsome felines are happy to dole out affection to admiring humans without overwhelming them. To make one feel at home with you, your children and other pets, follow the same general guidelines we've offered throughout this introduction to kid-friendly kitties: "Go slow and supervise," Dr. Sung advises. "Do not allow your children to scream, grab or hug the cat. Give the cat some space and time. Teach your children to be gentle and how to appropriately pet and interact with the cat."

Mystery Mixes

The same breeding practices that select for desirable physical characteristics in domestic cats have the unfortunate effect, in some cases, of increasing the incidence of inherited health problems. The simplest way to decrease the likelihood of bringing home a cat that may have a genetic disorder is, of course, to adopt one that's a magnificent moggie (as cat lovers in the U.K. call mixed-breed felines). If being able to attribute your cat's quirks to its breeding is still a big deal, you can always buy an at-home DNA kit to test its genetic makeup (and then be able to make comments like "that was such a 22%-of-you-is-Siamese stretch, Captain Stripes").

Mellow Adults

Cute as kittens are, there's much to be said for opening your heart and home to a grown cat. "Older" cats — and keep in mind, cats reach maturity at around 18 months and are considered middle-aged at around 4 to 7 years, though they can live 16 to 20 years or longer — are often playful and affectionate, and they're less likely to exhibit unwanted behaviors like rough play or scratching. Best of all, their personalities have already had time to develop — so when a shelter staffer tells you that the cat you’re thinking of bringing home has a character of a certain sort, you can take that advice and open your home with confidence.

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