The best cat breeds for families with children will make brilliant companions for the entire household. The cats on this list will get on just as well with the youngest members of your home, as they will the oldest.
Just like children, no cats are the same. Some are high-energy cat breeds who love playing with the best cat toys from morning to noon, and night. And other furballs will love nothing more than finding a spare lap to sit on.
However, certain cat breeds are best suited to family life – like the friendliest cat breeds and the calmest cat breeds who are happy to play, be handled by small hands, and can take loud noises in their stride.
So, whether you're a first-time owner who's thinking of adopting a cat, or you've shared your home with a kitty before – use our guide as a starting point to discover the best cat breeds for families with children.
32 of the best cat breeds for families with children
1. Abyssinian
Sometimes referred to as aby-silly-ans, this is a playful and affectionate breed. One fun fact about Abyssinian cats is that they are especially good for older children as they have lots of energy and are always on the go.
This active, curious cat will entertain your family as it loves to climb and jump up high. Abyssinians are intelligent so can even be taught tricks. While they aren’t lap cats, they still make loyal companions as they enjoy being around people. Plus, they have short coats so are easy to maintain.
2. British Shorthair
Some cat breeds may not enjoy being around kids because of overenthusiastic petting and grabbing, but the British Shorthair is a calm, laidback breed that has been known to be quite patient, particularly when being handled a bit roughly by an unknowing toddler.
Friendly and loyal, this breed will not only tolerate more than other breeds but is quite happy in a busier, more chaotic environment such as a family home. They are not huge fans of being carried or sitting on laps and they aren’t as active or playful as some breeds, but they are sweet and loving.
3. Birman
The Birman is a calm, loving, and affectionate cat breed, which makes it a great family cat. This gentle breed loves cuddles with its owners and is very sociable so will happily follow you around and try to help you with tasks.
They’ll be friendly and playful with your kids but do tend to prefer laidback lounging. The Birman will adapt to most households though as they are easy-going and get on with most people, children, and other pets.
4. Burmese
This sociable cat loves people and attention, which makes it ideal for a home with children. They are friendly, enthusiastic, and playful – and have even been known to play fetch like dogs. This affectionate breed is happy to adopt a busy lifestyle and they’re patient with kids.
They’ll follow you around or curl up on your lap. An added bonus is they’re low maintenance when it comes to grooming, making life easier when you have a pet and kids to care for.
5. Cornish Rex
Adventurous by nature, the active Cornish Rex is curious and loves to explore. This breed makes an excellent family cat as he loves to entertain with tricks and thrives on attention. Just make sure you put away anything you don’t want playing with.
The Cornish Rex has often been described as dog-like as they will learn to play fetch with you. If you’re looking for a quiet cat this breed isn’t for you. They may be gentle, but this confident cat likes to chat, which is why it makes such a good companion.
6. Himalayan
A cross between the Siamese and the Persian cat, the Himalayan shares traits with both breeds. Similar to the Persian cat they can be calm and quiet, but they can also be energetic and affectionate like the Siamese.
This sweet-natured cat will be just as happy playing with your kids as cuddling up on their lap. However, this breed is best suited for quieter homes and children who will be gentle with them as they do not like noise or commotion.
7. Maine Coon
Known as the ‘gentle giant’, the Main Coon is a natural choice for a home with kids. They are big, loveable, and affectionate cats with the perfect coat for cuddling – the only issue is this means they’re high maintenance too as they will need lots of grooming.
However, if you’re happy to take care of them, they will be a playful, kind, and loving companion. The Main Coon is an outgoing and independent cat but it loves people and especially children – and because of its size it’s not afraid to be handled by them.
8. Manx
When you picture a child and a cat, does your first thought go to worrying about the child pulling the cat’s tail? Fear not, the Manx often has no tail to pull on. As long as they’re socialized with children when they’re young they make wonderful family cats.
The playful Manx loves to have fun, play fetch or jump, and climb high up, although they’re not overly active. This friendly and affectionate breed is sweet-tempered and enjoys being with its owners.
9. Ragdoll
This cat was actually named after a children's toy, the floppy rag doll in the way it likes to relax and be carried as it stretches out. It’s no surprise then that, just like a doll, kids adore this breed.
They’re perfect companions for children, especially younger ones, thanks to their gentle, loving, laidback nature. They’ll curl up on your lap and greet you at the door when you get home, but while they’re affectionate they’re not overly demanding.
10. Siamese
Forget about what your kids think they know about the scheming Siamese breed from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. Siamese cats may be mischievous, but they are sweet and playful.
The highly intelligent Siamese will entertain your family with its agility and athleticism. Just make sure you have lots of energy to play with and entertain them too as they need plenty of stimulation. They are not only super affectionate as a breed but also very talkative so you and your kids will always be in good company.
11. Persian cat
We make no exaggeration when we say that there are many reasons to love Persian cats. With their thick fur, rounded ears, and big eyes, these medium-sized balls of fur are not only a treat to look at, but Persian cats also make one of the best low energy cat breeds for owners who just want to chill.
And it’s all thanks to their sweet and gentle nature, which makes them ideal for families with kids.
12. American shorthair
If there’s one cat that tops the laidback list it’s the American shorthair. One fact about American Shorthairs is that they are fur-bulous beauties who are just as happy playing around by themselves as they are with humans—and kids are no exception.
Unlike some other cats in their kingdom, these social creatures won’t just form a strong bond with one family member, they’ve got plenty of love to go around the whole household. As long as you’ve got a stash of the best cat treats, these fur friends will be eating out of the palm of your hands in no time.
13. Ragamuffin
Patient with children, this gentle and sweet-natured breed will feel right at home in a busy household.
Known for being one of the best cats for extroverts, Ragamuffins will be right by your side to provide emotional support on the bad days and lots of fun and laughter on the good. So it’s worth stacking up on some of the best cat treats to help show them how much you care.
14. Siberian cat
Easy to train to complete different tricks, affectionate and adventurous you and the kids will love sharing your home with a Siberian cat.
This super fluffy, bushy-tailed cat really is a spectacle to look at. But to keep them feeling and looking their best, they will need regular grooming. So, to become the best cat owner you (and the kids) can be, make sure you invest in one of the best cat brushes so you can comb your kitty to perfection.
15. Scottish Fold
A Scottish Fold’s even temperament and social nature make them ideal companions for not only children but other pets too. So busy homes will feel like second nature to these kitties.
Often dubbed as one of the most popular cat breeds, these cuddly creatures will while away the days with you and the kids on the couch, play with other feline friends and they’ll just love time in your household’s company.
16. Bombay cat
These cats love nothing more than cozying up to their humans and demanding lots of attention. So they are best-suited for multi-people households, where a number of you can show a Bombay lots of TLC.
These bewitching black cats also love lots of exercise so they will thrive if they’re kept busy and you and the kids will be pleased to know that these fur friends are a generally pretty healthy breed. When they’re not playing, you’ll most often find them watching over their cat kingdom from high places.
17. Exotic Shorthair
These little cuties are loved for their affectionate nature, playful ways, and patient mannerisms. But while they won’t require loads of attention or ever-lasting activity, they will be thankful for having people around, kids included. Often described as lap cats, they are known for their love of affection.
18. Devon Rex
If there’s one thing to know about a Devon Rex it’s that these gentle creatures are ideal for family homes. Why? To put it simply, they’re sociable beings who are playful, intelligent, and people-orientated. And with their short, curly coats, wide-set ear,s and large eyes, it’s impossible not to want to welcome a rescue Devon Rex into your home.
19. Burmilla
Along with being amongst the longest-living cat breeds, quietest cat breeds, and rarest cat breeds, the Burmilla, which is a cross between the chinchilla Persian and a Burmese, is a gentle breed that is perfectly happy in the company of children and other pets.
That said, they are pretty laid-back kitties with an independent streak. So when they’re not showing how much they love you, they’re probably indulging in their pretty iconic mischievous ways.
20. Tonkinese
Heard of a Tonkinese cat? This domestic cat breed is the result of breeding a Siamese and Burmese kitty, the result of which makes for one outgoing and human-loving fur friend.
They won’t get too shy around strangers and, if properly socialized, they’ll also do well in the company of kids. These social butterflies are athletic and are great climbers. So they’ll love finding high-up spots – so bringing home one of the best cat trees will come in handy.
21. Russian Blue
If you’ve got older children at home, the Russian Blue could be a good fit. It’s worth noting that these creatures much prefer quieter households, without a constant stream of visitors as they can be shy at first.
However most of the time they tend to bond deeply with one person. Other fun things to know about Russian Blues is that they typically live between 15–20 years, they have relatively low grooming requirements and they usually get on well with other pets.
22. Domestic shorthair
From their low maintenance needs to their relatively healthy stature, domestic shorthair cats make for great family-friendly pets.
These regal-looking moggies are one of the most common cat breeds and the history books tell us that they've been around since at least 2000 BC. They’re generally good-natured, healthy, and level-headed cats that love to play and hunt.
23. Somali
Known for being friendly, sociable, and playful, if you’re considering adding a furball to your family home, it’s worth adopting a Somali cat as they are generally good with children. And it makes sense: these wild-looking cats are closely related to the Abyssinian, which is one of the oldest breeds of domestic cats.
24. Norwegian Forest Cat
Calm? Tick. Gentle? Tick. Affectionate? You betcha! The companionable Norwegian forest cat gets on well with people of all ages and stages.
Plus, Norwegian Forest Cats will also be happy in the company of dogs and other cats, so they’re ideal if you have other fur friends in the family. That way, you won’t have to worry about keeping the peace in a multi-cat household.
25. Oriental cat
If you’ve got a busy home, these intelligent creatures will fit right in. For starters, Oriental cats love people, older children included, and because of their high intelligence, they’ll need lots of mental stimulation.
Of course, you and the kids can’t be there 24/7. So if that’s the case, it’s worth investing in a handful of the best activities for cats home alone to keep them active and engaged.
26. Chartreux
Pronounced ‘shar-true’, these French family-friendly kitties like a quiet and calm life. So they’ll do best in households that share these same values. This breed has a beautiful blue/gray coat that’s easy to groom.
And while they love being around people, they’re quite happy in their own company. But that’s not to say they can’t thrive in a family—they’ll just show they love you in their own way, like cuddling up to you or giving you a gentle head butt.
27. Japanese Bobtail
Listed in our guide to the most playful cat breeds, the Japanese Bobtail makes for the perfect match for families with kids. The family-orientated cats are affectionate, loyal, intelligent, and always up for playing.
For example, you’ll often find these creatures playing fetch with the best cat toys. Or using up some of their energy by getting up to mischief. Another fun fact? They’ll communicate with you via soft chirps. What’s not to love?
28. Korat cat
Eager to learn their surroundings and form strong bonds with their humans—older children included—the humble and rare Korat hails from Thailand and is known and loved for its silver-tipped, blue-gray fur. These intelligent creatures are laid back yet inquisitive and will love nothing more than problem-solving with the best cat puzzle feeders.
29. Ocicat
Often described as dog-like, these friendly fur friends, which usually get mistaken for wild cats, get on well with children and other pets in larger families. They’re also a hypoallergenic cat breed, so if you’ve long put off adopting a cat because of allergies, you and the family can enjoy the comfort of having a fur friend around.
30. Singapura
If you’ve got older kids in your household, a small Singapura cat could be the perfect match. That’s because while these loveable kitties thrive on attention – they have lots of energy so will want to play – they can scare easily with loud noise. Characterized by their short hair, big eyes, and huge ears, this small breed is partial to a good cuddle.
31. LaPerm
Social and easy to train, LaPerm cats are patient and playful around children. Their affectionate nature makes these curly-coated cuddlers one of the best cats for families. They are considered to be medium-sized and a LaPerm's coat can come in a variety of colors, from a chocolate tortoise, to a white, black, or fawn shade.
32. Toyger
Just look at this beauty! Toygers are known for being friendly, adaptable, and calm, which are all characteristics that will go a long way with kids.
These fur friends are said to be highly intelligent creatures as they can be trained to perform cat tricks, taking agility competition in their stride.
Still deciding between what pet to adopt? Discover the best small pets that are great for kids.
