Want to be first time owner; Looking for friendliest cat breed

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and am interested in getting a cat for the first time.  I have 2 kids (ages 9 and 6) and am looking for a fun cat that they can play fetch with.  Pluses would be ones that come when called and greet strangers at the door.

Is this too much to ask?  Which cat breed should I look at?

Welcome to TCS!

I suggest looking at your local shelters. The volunteers there can help you pick out the perfect cat for your family.. they know each of the cats and their personality to pair you up with.

if you want a kitten, now's a good time since there are so many of them in the shelters due to females breeding this time of the year

Would you consider a dog too? It's more common for dogs to do all that you listed.

I urge you to get two! They keep each other company and play with each other so less wear and tear on your drapes and furniture.Two males would be cheaper to neuter then one female. I also recommend those corrugated cardboard flat scratchers, found at Walmart and pet stores, cats absolutely love them! I agree with going to your local shelter, so many need homes. Spend time with several kittens or cats, you'll know the best one when you find it! Cats , like people all have different personalities, some are hyper, some are laid back. Of course most kittens will be hyper, but should not be fearful or shy for kids. Good luck and keep us posted!

I do have a question:  are there cats that will sleep by themselves in their own room (where the litter box and food are)?  We don't want a cat that needs to sleep with us.

Not every cat will hop right into bed with you but the four the I've had over my lifetime have always preferred it.  The only way you can really be sure is to just keep your bedroom door shut at night.  So long as they don't get in the habit of sleeping with you, they should leave the door alone.

Also, I would definitely consult a shelter.  I volunteer at one on the weekend and I find that every cat is different, regardless of breed.  The only way you can be really sure what kind of personality a cat has is to speak with people who have spent the time to really get to know them.  Plus, you'll be doing them a huge favor!

ANY cat can't resist a heated bed. If you put the bed in there with a pet heater pad, I can almost guarantee that's where they will sleep. They only cost as much as a 60 watt bulb to run, and although somewhat pricey, around 50.00 I would say it is the best investment I made. If you can find the 'replacement' pad(without a sheepskin cover), they are cheaper and then you can wrap it in a towel, I've bought several of those too.They might be cheaper on a site like Amazon. It has always worked  for me! Good luck!

I think you should either try a Bombay, tabby or a tortoiseshell breed as all three are good with reasonably young kids. I own 8 cats:
Willow - a Bombay
Daisy - a black and white
Stripey - tabby
Tabie - obviously a tabby cat
Meaty - Bombay
Aslan - tortoise shell
Honey - tortoise shell
Buttercup - tortoise shell

All my cats are good with kids and at times when kids feel sad these breeds come up to you and comfort you and make you feel happy. Let me know if you choose one of my choices of breed

PLEASE don't put the litter box near the food! the cat won't like it and you will have problems. cats don't like the smell of litter in/near their food - who would? 

please get two cats - I can't recommend this enough; they keep each other company; they groom each other; they're not lonely and get into less 'trouble'; they're happier. maybe a sister and brother which I was advised to take by my shelter - they already had an established bond

please go to the nearest shelter and ask the personnel there

games:  playing fetch is not a kitty game. there are very neat toys such as 'Dancing Cat' which they love!  or....something on the end of a pole but the 'something' should be fastened with an elastic-type cord so that it dances and zoinggs. of course kittens will probably play with anything. but i caution you not to let the kids play 'biting' because the little kitty grows up to have big bites

sleeping:  my kitties adore soft 'cat houses' - little triangular houses they can sleep in without feeling they will be approached unawares. i bought one for each & they sleep very happily in these. i have never allowed them into my bedroom and they know not to come in altho sometimes they are curious or...they miss their mistress...and leave little squeeky mouse toys outside the door as presents

litter:  use the wonderful Feline Fresh flushable (I think it's cedar) or there is a walnut mix too - for litter

kitties like games like hide and seek. some like to follow a toy along the floor very fast....my other likes to leap into the air -- these plays are in response to the 'fish' toy or mouse toy at the end of that elastic cord - it should be securely fastened so you can whip the toy back and forth and then allow them to catch it sometimes....so they feel victorious

GOOD LUCK!!

I've never had a bad kitty except....one I adopted from a barn; I think it was mainly feral. I kept it for 5 years but....

Tabby and tortoiseshell are color patterns, not breeds.  Bombay cats are black cats, but could be costly if purchased from a breeder.  I suggest adopting from a shelter.  I also suggest reading a few books about cats.

oh I forgot to add that my kitties do come when called.  since mine were 3 years old when I got them, I had to get them used to their names and to trust me that when i called,  there was something good involved, like a treat, leftover food, a game, affection (if they wanted it) or grooming with the furminator (they love that but that's for full-grown cats for intense brushing - but watch out for those nipples!  just brush the back and sides, tail.

the girl kitty tends to greet people at the door. in fact, when I come home 'somehow' she knows i'm coming and is suddenly behind the door when i open it. she tends to be very affectionate whereas....

the boy kitty is more independent, he's a clown, SO hilarious!  he tends to sidle over and plunk himself down his back for 'scritching' around the armpits and neck/head.  she tends to head-butt when i'm on the sofa which i'm told is very intimate.  to show they like me they have gradually come to sit at either end of 'me' - one behind my head like a cushion and the other resting near my feet

they also like it whenever I lie on the floor....at their level - they become quite curious

I strongly support you reading as many books as you can from the library. I did it this time when I adopted and was I ever glad!! and proud...to have truly prepared myself to accept these 2 kitties who have given their lives to me

are yours going to be indoor cats?  (mine are and...they have claws but never tear anything but the cardboard i supply--you can get these vital items at the pet store. Scratching is one thing that is absolutely vital to cats....so you must provide it for them...or they'll find something else, something you may not approve of)

Oh!  Another note, if you go to a shelter, not only will you get some information on the cat's personality but often times if you get a shelter kitty they will come with all their shots, microchipped, as well as spayed/neutered (depending on the shelter but I find many if not all of the shelters around my home do this).  It ends up being a really good deal.  I spent $125-$160 for my 3 cats where you could spend hundreds of dollars on a purebred cat and still have to pay for all of these things.  Just another thing to consider.

Good luck!

AmyCat1 said:

 
Tabby and tortoiseshell are color patterns, not breeds.  Bombay cats are black cats, but could be costly if purchased from a breeder.  I suggest adopting from a shelter.  I also suggest reading a few books about cats.

Click to expand...

Good point, like AmyCat1 said, those are colors and pattern markings, not breeds.

It should also be noted that black cats are rarely Bombays. Bombays are a pure breed of cat that happen to only come in black , whereas most black cats, tortoiseshells, calicoes, and tabbies of any kind usually fall under domestic shorthair, mediumhair, or longhair. More than 95% of ALL cats are not any sort of pure bred cat and are not recognized as a breed. Domestic shorthairs are the majority of pet housecats and deemed mutts of the cat world, and is normal. They make great pets just as any purebreed. 

As a side note, the friendliest official breed of cat is often said to be the ragdoll, known for being lap cats and dog-like, friendly, and docile, not to mention adorable. However, any person who is rough with or mistreats a cat should not expect the cat to not scratch or bite in its own defense and should not expect such behavior. If raised and treated properly, ANY cat can be a sweet and loyal pet, and can be social towards others. Likewise, I would also say shelter cats can be great pets, not to mention they usually already come with their first set of vaccines, are already spayed/neutered, and probably already microchipped-you'll just have to send a copy of your adoption papers to get them under your name. 

I would highly recommend watching this video about cats and kids by Jackson Galaxy: 

definitely consider a shelter. Cat personalities vary so greatly within breeds that it's hard to pinpoint.

I have two girls that I rescued, so they are barn kittens, nothing special at all breed wise. Both come when they are called, and Miami greets everyone at the door (Cairo hides because she doesn't want to be caught and put in her room, but once that's no longer a factor in her life I'm sure she will start greeting people at the door again) and Miami also plays fetch. Playing fetch is not a common cat trait, though, and there's no real way to tell if the cat will do it or not (Miami was actually the shyer, more skittish and nervous of my two kittens when I got them)

my cat knows and loves to play fetch. She just picked it up with her favorite toy

but..does she bring it back?  I had a cat who always ran to it....but getting her to bring it back .... at least some time in the future....usually didn't work.

HOW do you do this? maybe my cats would like to learn?

Yep, she does! Here's a video

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

I didn't teach her, it just came naturally since all she wants to do is play

I am truly and really impressed!!  thanks SO much for the video - living proof!! 

Mooch likes to fetch as well.  Especially milk rings but sometimes mice or the mylar balls.  How many times she brings it back just depends on how much she feels like playing.  None of my other cats have been fetch-ers.  I think it may just be up to each individual cat whether or not they will fetch. 

I agree with others; check a shelter.  If a cat has been fostered especially you might be able to find out a lot about their personality and play habits. 

Good luck with your search!

yours is a cute latin-ish reply, a new version of "veni, vidi, vici"   - I love the Velcro part!  but my latin teacher used to tease this Italian boy with:  "when it's weni, it's weedy, all weeki' ... for the V was pronounced as a W