Is there a "best" breed to have around kids?

Ocicats are known for being great with children, I've heard it from other breeders and can certainly say mine are. Oci's in homes with children usually bond with the kids first.

Having said that any breed you get as a rescue i would make sure has been around young kids. Being rehomed, especially if they are a bit older is very stressful without adding young kids if they aren't used to that.

I don't know that you need a specific breed. I would adopt from a reputable shelter unless you are set on a purebred. You should adopt from an organization that keeps personality profiles on the animals it has up for adoption, make clear what your criteria are (good with small kids) and not take any animal that does not have a known/good history. Stay away from cats that don't get along with things or are known to have been abused neglected, etc...

An older owner surrender is probably your best best. You want a mellow, laid-back cat who is very affectionate. I find it easier to predict personality with older cats and a kitten is probably too much work for you now. Make sure the shelter has a trial period where you can try out the cat with your family in your home and return it to the shelter if things don't go as planned.

That said, the situation in your house is only going to get more challenging as your kids get into the toddler and young child stages before they can truly understand the meaning of 'don't touch', 'no' and 'be gentle with the kitty'. All animals will react defensively if provoked enough. Please consider carefully if you can devote the time to your kids and give the cat enough time too. There's nothing wrong with waiting until the kids are school age to get another pet.

Given what you've explained to us, I would highly suggest you get a kitten versus an adult. Kittens will bond to your kids and grow up accustomed to the noises. Adult cats from rescues, shelters, breeders all already have a mind set about things and may or may not adjust well to new situations.

Well socialized kittens on the other hand want to fit in and their little minds are open and very adaptable to new situations.

You could get a nicely socialized non breed kitten from a good foster home. No-kill shelters almost always have kittens set up in foster homes starting in the spring breeding season.

As far as breed cats go, bengals are one of the most kid friendly cats ever.

Another laid back breed are the British SH (types). Since you want short hair, I won't suggest the Maine Coon types as they have to be combed 2-3 times a week.

Agree on maybe a kitten would be better - however, I would not get too young - maybe look for an older kitten about 5-7 months old where they are not so fragile but still young enough to adjust quickly.

Also be sure you trim nails on a weekly basis and use the SoftPaws nail caps on the front feet. That probably will help a lot.

I was just going to suggest the opposite of Kai Bengals. At the shelter here, we've had adopters who have had bad experiences with cats....I generally steer them towards the adult cats that we know have lived in a home with children who were owner surrenders.

It can work both ways with kittens / adult cats. We have had cats that lived in a home with other cats / dogs / children etc and then decided it wasn't for them when rehomed and kittens that were horrible from birth.

They can also act differently at a shelter than in a home, so do try to get one from a foster home if you really want to see how they will act.

As far as breeds, I think you will find every breed has people who think they are or are not suited to a home with children - it really depends on the personality of the cat

Ragdolls fit everything you asked about, except they are long-haired.

Sorry to hear about your experience. My Sphynx is BFF with every man, woman, dog, and child she meets. She is very good natured and happy.

I have to agree with this. I have several friends who own Ragdolls and they are amazing around their children! My sister Kimmy has 4 mixed breeds that are wonderful with her children (she has 5). Mixed breed or purebreed, it honestly just depends on the temperment of the individual kitty! As far as purebreeds go though, I definitely think Ragdolls are a great match with children for the most part!

Don't forget about rescue/shelter kitties though, keep them in mind. I would consider an adult who has been fostered in a home with children/etc....what you see is what you get with adults typically, so their attitude should be pretty predictable. I don't think it's a good idea to put a young kitten with children as they are fragile and the children could be a little rough. Maybe you can try petfinder.com or some reputable Ragdoll breeders (consider the "retired breeder" Ragdolls...a lot of them have lived in the breeders home for a number of years and have been well socialized,etc. Good luck whatever you choose! I hope you find the perfect match for your family!

In a side note, many shelters and rescues offer potential adoptors a chance to "foster" the kitty for a few days before they officially adpot. (If you're a local and develop a good repoir with the breeder, some reputable breeders may consider this as well or at the very least let you spend an afternoon visiting their cattery so you can get to know the personality of the cat you're interested in.) This helps ensure that the kitty is a good fit for the new home. I would definitely keep that option in mind!