Many people of different lifestyles, characters, professions and temperaments are united by a passion for cats (we love them, think about them, care for them). But each cat is also individual - depending on the breed, it has its own temperament and behaves differently.
If you are choosing a pet that will not only “demonstrate its individuality,” but also show a kind attitude (especially towards children) and affection, while having a playful or calm character, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with our review ratings.
Ragdoll
In the 1960s In the United States of America, breeders crossed Burmese and Angora cats, resulting in a large and clumsy Ragdoll, whose name translates as “rag doll” for its ability to literally go limp when held. It’s unlikely that a stern animal could be called that. From the very beginning, cats of this breed have established themselves as playful companions, deprived of the ability to show aggression and disobedience, but willing to receive sufficient attention and care.
Ragdoll feels calm during the photo shoot.
The downside of the breed can be considered its dimensions, an adult representative reaches 10 kg in weight, and excessive fluffiness. This means he eats a lot and requires constant care.
The big advantage that compensates for the shortcomings is conduct and flexibility. Such a friend can be safely walked in a harness and trained to use various “cat gadgets.” Because of trust and tolerance, the pet will easily get along in a family with children.
On average, this cat rarely suffers from diseases and can live up to 16 years.
Which of these cats should I get for my child?
Any representative of the breeds from the above rating will be an ideal pet for an apartment. When buying a cat for a child, you should remember that the animal must be active and sociable.
Maine Coon and Neva Masquerade cat kittens get along well with children.
Animals for small children must meet the following requirements:
- quick adaptation and high stress resistance;
- ease of care;
- affectionate disposition and lack of aggression.
During the training process, using physical force on cats is strictly prohibited. An angry pet who is with a baby can harm him.
Exotic shorthair.
In the same year and in the same country, another cat was born, with a character reminiscent of a dog. Exotics are distinguished by their intelligence, peacefulness, and, of course, extraordinary appearance, inherited from the ancestors of the Persian and American Shorthair, and the parents were crossed to obtain new colors from the Persians.
A distinctive feature of the breed is hypersociality. It is not a burden for the exotic to live next to other pets and small family members, thanks to its sociality. He is able to carry out simple commands. However, such a cat suffers loneliness very painfully; he always needs company, but he does not notice any attachment to his owner. There are often representatives who take a long time to get used to new people, so his trust is worth long days and weeks of spending time together.
Despite their appearance, these cats have good health and an average life expectancy of 12-15 years.
Who is the most tender in the world?
Among modern purebred cats, there are several varieties that are distinguished by the kindest attitude towards people.
Exotic
Exotic cats, which appeared as a result of crossing a Persian cat and an American shorthair, have won the hearts of animal lovers with their slowness and unusual appearance. The sweet expression of the face, combined with the constant desire to lie on the owner’s lap, makes the exotic a very desirable pet.
Features of the breed include other things:
- long-term adaptation to new people and changed surroundings;
- playfulness throughout life (especially if someone is watching them while they are having fun);
- friendly attitude towards children and other pets.
In general, the American exotic cat gives the impression of a small soft toy with a slightly sad look and a devoted soul.
Exotic cats are very gentle and attached to their owner.
Russian blue
Initially, the purr of this breed was considered a very reserved animal, but in reality everything turned out to be exactly the opposite. These purebred cats, according to the owners' reviews, are an example of calmness and loyalty to the owner. Russian Blues love to cuddle up to family members and play with children. But these clever people are wary of strangers, but they do not get involved in conflict.
These animals are also characterized by:
- take a long time to look closely at the new owner;
- become attached to the owner for life;
- the desire to accompany the breadwinner everywhere.
But due to its high intelligence, the Russian Blue will never be too intrusive and, at the slightest sign from the owner, will retire to its secluded place.
Russian Blues are smart and loyal cats
Maine Coon
The impressive size and long fur of these beautiful animals makes you want to cuddle them. But a stern look and a powerful physique stop many lovers of excessive familiarity. But in vain. After all, Maine Coons are one of the calmest and most balanced good-natured cats in the cat world. At the same time, these giants are able to show energy and a cheerful disposition when playing with children.
Maine Coons also have something else in common:
- do not climb cabinets and tables;
- are friends with dogs;
- hunt small domestic animals (hamsters, rats).
Despite their balanced disposition, Maine Coons react sharply to loneliness and the absence of a breadwinner. Such life changes can cause them to lose their appetite and become depressed.
Maine Coons are the embodiment of kindness and home warmth
Burmese cat
The mustachioed pets of the Burmese breed are beautiful in everything - from their bright appearance to their charming disposition. These purrs are tactful and always feel when the owner should not be disturbed. At such moments, the Burmese will go about his business or will patiently wait for the attention of the breadwinner in his “den.”
The breed is also characterized by other characteristics:
- ability to learn simple commands;
- friendly attitude towards all household members and especially children;
- peaceful coexistence with other pets in the same territory.
It is also interesting that Burmese, according to the owners, are excellent healers. They can drive away a stressful state, as a result of which the functioning of the cardiovascular system improves, and overall well-being noticeably improves.
Burmese cats are lovely and gentle creatures
Persian cat
In childhood, Persian cats resemble perky little balls of fluff, constantly scurrying around the house. Their attention can be attracted by anything - from a sunbeam to a fly on the window. However, with age, interest in the world around him is lost, and the fluffy focuses his life on following the breadwinner, wherever this road leads. The favorite pastime of an adult Persian is to lie next to the owner on the sofa or at the head of the bed while he sleeps.
Long-haired cats also manifest themselves in the following:
- patiently endure all children's pranks, turning into an obedient “toy”;
- they greet guests with distrust and do not approach strangers in the house;
- They look indifferently at the presence of other pets in the house.
Persian cats rightfully bear the title of one of the most gentle and tame purrs among their tailed relatives.
Persian cats have always been considered rather lazy pets.
British Shorthair
Cats with an independent character and an intelligent look - this is how the “British” can be briefly described. These smart animals do not need constant attention from the owner and are not accustomed to often fawning over members of the household. They happily play with children, but if the fun goes beyond certain limits, they will resort to hitting with their paws or even releasing their claws.
The breed, originally from Foggy Albion, is also notable for the fact that:
- trainable;
- calmly tolerates long absence of the owner;
- with a caring and attentive attitude, he shows all his tenderness and love.
And if there are other animals in the house, then a British cat can easily turn into a kind of leader of the pack, which no one will dare to object to.
British cats are discreet and independent pets
Canadian Sphynx
A cat, devoid of fur, seems to show with its entire appearance that it needs human warmth and increased care. And in response to a tender attitude, this unusual purring pet will give the breadwinner love and devotion.
The characteristics of all representatives of the breed boil down to the following points:
- curious and sociable disposition;
- friendly attitude towards strangers;
- a patient attitude towards any mischief on the part of children (even “body art” on the skin).
And when an animal gets tired of increased attention to its own person, it does not release its claws and does not hiss angrily, like other cats in similar cases. This peace-loving pet just begins to meow loudly and plaintively, so that the owner resolves the conflict situation and returns comfortable living conditions in the house.
Sphinxes are as affectionate as they are unusual.
Ragdoll
Cats that can turn into “rag dolls” (and this is how the name of the breed is translated) are gentle and imposing animals. But they are not averse to participating in a noisy party or playing with children.
Blue-eyed cats have other features:
- when danger arises, they try to hide and run away;
- they can become overly attached to the owner if they have been the center of attention of the family since childhood;
- due to a reduced pain threshold and the ability to greatly relax, they are susceptible to injury.
Otherwise, Ragdolls are considered a favorite among gentle cat lovers. These beauties are able to sit all day long in the arms of their breadwinner or wander relentlessly after their household members.
Ragdoll cats are the most gentle pets, able to completely relax in the hands of their owner.
Abyssinian cat
It would never occur to one to call these red-haired beasts slow or loving to lie on their knees. It is difficult to find a more energetic cat than the Abyssinian. However, in the character of such a daredevil there is room for affection, interspersed with bouts of tenderness.
Abyssinian cats are active and playful animals with a good disposition.
In addition, the Abyssinian breed is famous for the following qualities:
- high intelligence and sociability, even in the company of strangers;
- friendliness and curiosity;
- a manifestation of jealousy towards the owner, which is why they can harm other household members.
These are the dogs that breeders recommend for families with children. You definitely won’t get bored with such a lively and playful animal.
Video: the most affectionate cats according to breeders
Maine Coon
Huge. Powerful. Strong. A real “domestic tiger,” as they say about him, although in appearance he looks more like a lynx with a long squirrel tail. It is believed that the Maine Coon's roots are still in the same place, in the USA, and the first generations were short-haired, but the details of the true origin are unknown to anyone. The name of the breed translates as “Maine raccoon”, which also gives rise to certain thoughts.
Coons are active in the evening and in the morning; they tend to sleep during the day.
Thanks to their composure, it is customary to have such cats in families where there are “more than two”, where there are other pets and where there is a lot of space for everyone, although the Manx raccoon gets along well in a cramped apartment, but one should not forget about the hunter’s instinct, which is developed enough to seeing a victim in a small dog or baby.
The advantage is self-service in matters of luxurious wool, which means complete freedom from the groomer.
A possible disadvantage is the dimensions.
The Maine Coon lives the same way for about 15 years.
Heartbreaking breeds
Each person has his own standards of beauty, and the proverb “there are no comrades according to taste” is relevant in this matter. But thanks to numerous surveys, it was possible to establish a rating of cats that are considered the most charming and graceful in the world. List of the cutest kittens:
- Abyssinians;
- Siamese cats;
- Persian cats;
- Maine Coon breed;
- Scottish Fold mustaches;
- Himalayan cat;
- Egyptian Mau;
- Bambina cat.
Each purebred beautiful cat has its own character traits: it is a proud or friendly pet, its coat is short-haired, long-haired or hairless, and the color of the cats is a variety of colors and intricate patterns.
Persian cat
Modest and quiet breed. These cats try not to be intrusive and show almost no initiative in communication. But they will never refuse affection from the owner of the breed; they will allow themselves to be squeezed and dressed up.
Persians originated in the Old World of the 17th century, in Armenia and Iran, spreading along the way through Turkey to Europe, instantly winning the hearts of breeders and fanciers.
Rumor has it that the animals originally appeared in Russia, and only then came to the East.
Today, this lazy and not very sociable animal has spread throughout the world.
Cats are sedentary, calm and outwardly completely indifferent to others, but despite this they tend to become attached to their owner and his family. They show affection only in response to the owner, without attracting attention the rest of the time.
A significant disadvantage of the breed is heavy shedding.
Persians are the longest-livers among cats; a single character reaches the age of 20 years without suffering from diseases.
Abyssinian cat
Looking at her, I want to say “elegance itself.”
The breed is one of the most ancient, it was mentioned in an English book of the 19th century, written after the war with Ethiopia (then Abyssinia), features of the breed can be seen even in Egyptian figurines. According to current data, there are two types of Abyssinians: European - more massive and fluffy; American – slender, tall with short hair.
Excessive activity of the breed often leads to disorder in the house and various injuries received during play. Cats are inquisitive, sociable, intelligent, altruistic and picky, do not require special care and do not require anything from the owner except regular active games.
The big problem is the poor health of this animal. By the age of five, a vigorous and cheerful kitten has already accumulated a large number of problems with vision, circulatory system, protein metabolism, bones, etc.
However, all these problems do not prevent the cat from living happily for an average of 13 years.
Sphinx
The Sphynx is definitely the most outrageous cat in the world. She looks like an alien. There is a Don Sphynx and a Canadian one. The differences between them are not only in the place of birth: the Don one comes from Rostov-on-Don, and the Canadian one comes from Canada. If you go deeper into history, the Canadian Sphynx was born first, and a few years later the Don Sphynx. There are also differences in the cover. The Don Sphynx can have 3 types of skin:
- bare-born - have no hair at all;
- flock or velor - have wool 2 mm high;
- brush - rare wool.
The Sphynx cat breed belongs to the group of hairless cats. The lack of hair in this breed is due to a natural mutation during breeding.
Sphynx cats are tame cats and need human warmth. This breed is easy to train. Sphinxes cannot stand loneliness, they will always be with you. They are not afraid of unfamiliar guests and love children very much. Very playful.
Due to the complete lack of hair, individuals of this breed are susceptible to colds. Therefore, it is worth eliminating drafts in the house to avoid hypothermia of the cat. Sphynx cats can also suffer from skin diseases and obesity.
Sphynx cats are the only cats that sweat. They need special care in the form of baths.
It is better to feed Sphynx cats with food, since many foods are prohibited for them.
The cost of sphinxes varies from 5 thousand rubles to 30 thousand rubles.
Elf and others
In fact, there are many hairless cats, the Peterbald, a native of St. Petersburg (not universally recognized as a breed), the Canadian and Don Sphynx, the origin can be understood from the name, the Elf, bred in the USA in 2006, the Bambino, a breed phenotypically located in the process of becoming... and all of them are not indifferent to people, all are quite affectionate and affectionate, except for the Don Sphynx - this comrade does not like society, noise, children and intrusiveness from humans.
Hairless cats appeared in different countries, sometimes independently of each other, but everyone seemed to have inherited a love for human beings. They are characterized by curiosity and affection. Life expectancy with proper care reaches twenty years. However, serious care is needed, especially when it comes to countries with cold winters.
As for the attitude towards family members, four-legged cats of another species, especially the Canadian Sphynx, are perceived as competitors.
The average lifespan of all these breeds is from 12 to 16 years. Health is relatively good; with age, the risks of developing various diseases increase.
It is worth noting that hairless and hypoallergenic are two different cats. The allergy is caused by the protein in your pet's secretions, not the fur!
Making a choice
If at a family council it is decided to accept a new tailed tenant into the house, you need to slowly think through all the details. First of all, it is important to decide what character the cat should have, what the role of the purr in the family will be. To do this, it is better to carefully study the ratings and lists of the most friendly and affectionate breeds, and find detailed information about them if you are interested.
When the issue of choosing a breed has been resolved, it is time to look for a breeder or club specializing in the sale of kittens. And here it is worth remembering that the lower the cost of kittens in an establishment, the lower the “quality” of the animals offered. When visiting a nursery, you should immediately inquire about the permitting documentation and veterinary passport for the tailed friend you like . Conscientious breeders, as a rule, themselves offer pedigrees and papers confirming registration with international felinological organizations for study.
It is important to decide in advance on the choice of a pet and clearly think through the plan for purchasing a cat.
Carefully examine the kitten you like for any flaws in appearance.
The pet must be healthy, as evidenced by:
- shiny wool;
- moderate fatness;
- clean ears and eyes;
- absence of inflammation on the skin, including under the tail.
The kitten's behavior should also not cause any complaints. An animal happy with life will not hide in a corner and hiss, but will show curiosity and goodwill.
Knowledgeable people say that the character of the purr depends not only on the breed, but also on the gender of the animal. So, cats are more attached to men and will be more affectionate, while cats sympathize with women and are distinguished by devotion.
The choice of a kitten is also influenced by the emotional attitude of the future owner to the breed. It is important that it evokes positive feelings - from delight to tenderness. Then it will be much easier to establish contact with the mustache.
Affectionate cat breeds are very attached to their owners, so it is better to decide in advance whether the animal will have long lonely hours in its life. After all, business trips and other travel sometimes have a very negative impact not only on the nervous system of delicate cats, but also on their health in general.
Even a simple yard cat can turn out to be the gentlest and most affectionate creature in the world if the owner shows maximum care and kindness to the animal. I believe that compiling ratings among kind cats is a very conditional task, designed to orient animal lovers in all the variety of adorable purring lumps.
Cornish Rex
One of the most restless, nimble, talkative and intelligent cats.
Cornish is the true embodiment of a dog in a cat's body; he is easy to train, amenable to education, shows interest in children, actively communicates with other pets and boldly, although cautiously, meets new people. This cat also has excellent health and velvety curly fur, and does not require special treatment.
This breed is gaining popularity due to its ability to make an adventure out of absolutely any little thing. The cat becomes the main reason for the owner's daily smiles and giggles; he tries to climb both on the highest cabinet and under it. It is necessary to understand that any object lying in plain sight will become a new toy at the first opportunity.
Communication, which is never enough for this cat, can only be given by a person who is truly ready for the quirks of the Cornish Rex.
Health is average, as is life expectancy.
TOP 10 most affectionate and playful cats
Cat owners know very well how interesting it is to watch when a pet is hunting for an imaginary mouse or simply running around the house. Some cat breeds can maintain their lively personalities not only as kittens, but also as adults. Let's look at which breeds are the funniest and most playful:
• 10 • Japanese Bobtail
These pets devotedly love their family and are ready to spend all their time entertaining their owners. Very active and playful - the Japanese Bobtail immediately begins to run and jump at the sight of its favorite toy. It’s interesting to watch their funny games, however, bobtails love their owners not to “look at them with a smile while sitting in a chair,” but to play with them.
more details
• 9 • sphinx
Very smart and always energetic, unconventional in appearance, sphinxes are always ready to have fun with their owners and guests. They have excellent control over their bare paws with elongated fingers - they quickly grab small objects with them.
more details
• 8 • oriental cat
Those owners who love cats that are energetic, always sociable and ready to communicate will find in the Oriental cat an excellent friend, always ready to actively play and cheer up its owner. Moreover, even the passing years do not particularly reduce their enthusiasm and “endless” energy.
more details
• 7 • munchkin
These little cute creatures with small paws, it seems, are simply “not capable of growing old.” And indeed, they can maintain a playful, cheerful, friendly character even in the most advanced cat age.
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• 6 • Somali cat
Beautiful in appearance, Somali cats love active attention. Your pet will sit near the door for hours, waiting for you to come home and start playing with it. The extremely high degree of “overflowing energy” does not subside over the years.
more details
• 5 • ocicat
The real blood of wild ancestors flows in the veins of the Ocicat, so this cat is simply a “perpetual motion machine.” The sociable animal is in constant search of prey or playmates. She is not at all afraid of new guests, and boldly invites them to have fun.
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• 4 • Siamese cat
In fact, known for their penchant for hunting sparrows, Siamese cats are very playful. True, they are ready to have fun with their owners - only if they themselves want it.
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• 3 • Cornish Rex
If you dream of an energetic, inquisitive and lively cat, then this is just the Cornish Rex. For such a cheerful creature: everything in life is a game (they never get tired, climb everywhere with virtuosity, jump actively, and at the same time have very agile legs).
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• 2 • bengal cat
The Bengal cat learns relatively quickly and masters a huge number of tricks at a young age - she loves all kinds of games. The fun of these smartest funny guys includes: turning on or off the light, opening the door on their own or flushing the toilet...
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• 1 • Abyssinian cat
The Abyssinian cat rightfully occupies the first place in our rating: she is ready to run after a mouse all day, she has a cheerful character - it’s never boring with this pet. The Abyssinian cat is always “hyperactive” and never gets tired - if a butterfly flies into the room, it will rush after the insect until it catches it (even if this takes several hours).
more details
Oriental cat
A wide, long nose and unusually large ears make these characters stand out from the rest of the species.
We started our journey in Thailand together with close relatives – Siamese cats. Since the 19th century, they have been transported around the world and won the attention of amateurs for a very long time. Until 1977, cats had no standard in terms of color and eye color, and they could also have relatively different fluffiness. Simply put, these guys were not welcome at exhibitions and in aristocratic houses.
Today, there are no direct criteria defining an Oriental cat in most countries. This is just a big, lop-eared, long-muzzled animal that meows a lot and destroys vases on its way.
Quite a large cat, ready to follow its owner around all day. A highly active and intelligent companion, he is always happy to have a person and his family, gets along with other animals, has a craving for incidents and adventures, and is also prone to training.
Breeders recommend walking Orientals on a leash for a couple of hours a day for a calmer behavior of the pet in the house.
With sufficient activity, cats live to be 20 or more, despite not having the best health.
What determines a cat's character?
The nature of the purr depends on many factors:
- color Veterinarians see a connection between the disposition of the purr and the color of its fur. In addition, a study has been conducted on this matter. Thus, the majority of respondents answered that white cats are capricious, know their worth and feel like kings of the situation. In addition, they love to be offended and do not always prefer affection. Black cats, on the other hand, are friendly and cope well with stress. They can stay with a person for a long time during his illness. Ginger cats are prone to pranks, while multi-colored cats are demanding and independent;
- physique. There is an unconfirmed opinion that thin animals are usually easily excitable and have an unstable psyche, and therefore are capricious and sometimes unfriendly, but massive cats with heavy bones are quite docile and friendly;
- education. If a cat is often offended, then it can become wild in the literal sense of the word. When they love her and play with her, she will certainly turn out to be an affectionate pet;
- floor. You can pet the cat at the moment when he wants it. In addition, males, like all men, tend to establish their own rules in the house. Kitties, on the contrary, are more affectionate. They are almost always ready for human contact;
- breeds A cat often inherits its character from its ancestors. As for outbred purrs, it depends on your luck - a kind of lottery. American scientists from the University of Lincoln, having “analyzed” 200 cats and their owners, were even able to identify 5 types of cat characters: human cat (very attached to the owner),
- hunter cat (freedom-loving hunter of everything that moves),
- cat-cat (prefers its own kind to humans),
- grumpy cat (independent and feels like the master of the house),
- inquisitive cat (constantly exploring something, loves to study everything around her).
According to the owner of the angry cat, the character of this animal is quite friendly
Sacred Burmese cat
An incredibly beautiful breed with expressive eyes and a mysterious look.
There is no specific date when the Burmese appeared as a separate breed; cats have very ancient origins, but they were recognized in 1925 in France.
Burma was mentioned in ancient Buddhist legends as a goddess guarding the kingdom of the dead.
In the 1960s, the cat came to Europe and then spread to the United States.
The cat has a humble character, which is manifested even in food - it cannot be overfed; the Burmese eats exactly as much as it needs to be satisfied.
A snowflake will give its owner peace of mind. She will not be short-tempered towards children, will not cause curtains to be torn down, and will not declare war on another pet. Balance is the main quality of these blue-eyed people. Cats cannot be trained, but you can set rules and, with a little effort, teach them the manners that an owner needs.
The only thing is that the sacred Burmese have a tendency to mood swings, however, only an attentive owner can notice this.
All such a miracle needs is a house where it can hide for deep sleep, warmth (no drafts) and combing once every two weeks.
The Sacred Burma lives on average 14 years.
