6 Best Cat Breeds for Kids

Cat are usually careful and can sometimes be a bit shy, so if you have children, it’s important to choose the best cat breeds for kids. Some cats might even run under the bed when they see a kid. Families with children need a special type of cat—one that doesn’t just handle the lively energy of kids, but actually likes to play and interact with them.

Here are 6 of the best cat breeds for kids.

Cat Breeds Characteristics

When choosing a cat breeds that gets along well with kids, think about their size, character, how energetic they are, and how friendly they are Very small cats are good for older kids who can be gentle with them.

Big cats are usually stronger and might work better with younger children, but it’s still important to teach kids how to handle cats safely and kindly. Cats that are lively and playful can be great playmates for kids, who can have fun with them and give them lots of love.

On the other hand, calm and quiet cats can also be good choices because they might not get scared easily by noisy or energetic children. Cats that like to be touched and are friendly can make wonderful friends for kids. Even with the best cat breeds for kids, adults should always watch when kids and cats are together. Kids should never pull a cat’s tail, chase them, or do anything that might make the cat feel stressed or hurt.

1. Abyssinian

The shorthaired Abyssinian is a small, energetic, and lively cat. These cats are very playful and make great companions for kids who know how to interact with cats properly.Since they are small, Abyssinians are a good choice for older children who can handle them carefully. They are friendly, loving, and fun to have around, making them a great fit for families and one of the best cat breeds for children.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 8 to 10 inches

WEIGHT: Up to 12 pounds

PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Friendly, interactive, animated, active, playful

Energy Level: High

Coat and Color: Short hair; solid or ticked; ruddy, red, blue, cinnamon, or fawn

LIFE SPAN: 15 years

2. American Shorthair

American shorthairs are a good choice for families with kids because they are calm and friendly. These cat breeds were originally bred to catch mice, so they are lively and enjoy playing, but they are also self-sufficient and don’t need a lot of care. They can amuse themselves by watching out the window or playing alone when they want.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 8 to 10 inches

WEIGHT: 11 to 15 pounds (males); 6 to 12 pounds (females)

PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Gentle, affectionate, playful, easygoing, curious

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Short hair; many colors, including white, silver, black, cream, blue, brown, red; many patterns, including tabby, calico, tortoiseshell, bi-color, solid

LIFE SPAN: 15 to 20 years

3. Birman

The Birman cat breeds is medium-sized and strong in build, with long, silky fur. This color-pointed breed has a light body with darker colored areas on the face, ears, legs, and tail. All Birman cats have four white paws and blue eyes. They are sweet and affectionate, making them a calm and friendly breed that works well in most homes and families. They are not too fragile for children to handle and are known for being patient and kind when kids play with them gently and respectfully.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 8 to 10 inches

WEIGHT: About 7 to 14 pounds; males slightly larger

PERSONALITY/Temperament: Gentle, quiet, loving

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Medium long to long hair; seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, tabby point, tortie point, red point, cream point

LIFE SPAN: 12 to 16 years

4. Burmese

The Burmese is a strong, medium-sized cat that has lots of energy. These cat breeds love to play and often act like playful kittens even when they are grown up. Kids can play with a Burmese all the time, which makes them very happy. They are not afraid of loud or busy homes, so they are a good match for families with children. Burmese cats form strong bonds with their people and don’t like to be alone for long periods of time.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 9 to 13 inches

WEIGHT: Up to 14 pounds

PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Friendly, affectionate, sociable with other animals, playful

Energy Level: High

Coat and Color: Short hair; sable, champagne, platinum, blue, and variations of each

LIFE SPAN: 18 years

5. Maine Coon

Maine Coons are smart, friendly, and gentle big cats. They are one of the best cat breeds for kids. These calm and easygoing cats make great playmates for children who are kind to them.They get along well with other pets in the home, like other cats and dogs that are friendly to cats. They are very easy to train, so kids can enjoy learning fun tricks with them by using kind training methods and tasty rewards.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 10 to 16 inches

WEIGHT: 9 to 18 pounds; 20+ pounds (males)

PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Amiable, gentle, dog-like

Energy Level: Medium

Coat and Color: Heavy, shaggy hair; solid, tabby, bi-color, parti-color, parti-color and white, shaded and smoke, and shaded/smoke and white

LIFE Span: 12 to 15 years

6. Manx

The Manx is a medium-sized cat that has either short or long hair and makes a great addition to any family with kids. The breed is robust, friendly, and active, and enjoys fun playtime with respectful children.

The breed is sometimes described as dog-like, and some Manx even like to play fetch with their favorite toys.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 7 to 11 inches

WEIGHT: 8 to 12 pounds

PERSONALITY/Temperament: Easygoing, affectionate, social

Energy Level: High

Coat and Color: Short or long hair; white, blue, black, red, cream, silver, brown; solid, bicolor, tortoiseshell, tabby 

LIFE SPAN: 14 to 16 years

Breeds to Avoid

Cats that are shy, don’t like being handled much, or prefer a very quiet and calm environment are not going to be the best cat breeds for kids. Examples include the Russian blue, Turkish van, and Himalayan.

However, keep in mind that every cat is an individual, so personalities can differ even among cats of the same breed. Also, the way your children interact with your cat can have a big effect on how well they get along and how well your cat tolerates your kids.