The Internet is full of cat videos, where cats soothe crying babies, rock the stroller or just play with kids. Why do the cats act like that?
One of the main qualities an owner looks for in a cat is the breed's overall demeanor. I think that people with children, or those willing to have kids in the future, might be looking for a cat that will get along with babies. Here’s Top 15 of the best babysitter cat breeds:
1 – The Birman. Very friendly, intelligent, and easy-to-train cat. For those seeking a caring and giving pet – this is a top choice. This cat will take part in active games, will relieve stress after a hard day, and will be a good companion for you and your child.
2 – The Sphynx. The sphynx’s love for its owner is unconditional, as is its patience. These amazing cats are unable to hurt anyone. They allow children to do anything to them, even draw on their skin. Though in case the play gets too rough, they will ask their owner for help with a loud meow.
3 – Neva Masquerade Cat. Gentle affection coupled with reserve are the main qualities of the breed. They will be a good friend and loyal companion to their owner. Loves babies and will tolerate them up to a point. If its patience ends, it will never hurt the child, but will run away to a good hiding spot instead. May soothe a crying child, and even call grownups, in case something serious happens.
4 – The Burmese. If you want to be loved – get a dog, if you want to love – get a cat. But if you want both – get a Burmese. Will tolerate almost anything from you children.
5 – The Scottish Fold. Peculiar look, “plush” fur and a load of fun – all that is the Scottish Fold. Удивительно уживчивый характер делает ее любимицей всех домочадцев Amazingly accommodating character makes this breed a good family member. Will willingly play with kids, won’t scratch or bite.
6 – The Manx. For those living in a house, the interesting tailless Manx cats are a good bet. These furry cats love to catch mice and rats. Gentle, kind, and caring, they will love the whole family, if you love them in turn. Great cat for a big family, which likes to be around children. Will play with kids, but they must be told not to pull on the short “tail”, as that causes the cat great pain.
7 – The Ragdoll. The breed gets along well with children, and takes part in games. The tendency to relax in arms and a heightened pain tolerance could potentially lead to trouble. However, the cat won’t retaliate, and will attempt to run away and hide instead.
8 – The Persian. The Persian rightfully has a reputation as one of the laziest creatures among cats. How much will the cat love its owner will depend on how much love will be given by them. But once it does, it will do so unconditionally. The Persians are so loyal to their owners that will share negative emotional states with them.
I once owned a Persian cat. It was a kind companion, loved to sit in everyone’s lap. Once a serviceman was fixing my internet connection. The cat jumped in his lap. He took it off and placed it back on the floor. This was repeated over 40 times. The Persian even did a running start, until it was finally allowed to sit in the serviceman’s lap. Another reaction happened, when a past friend came over. The cat immediately ran away, and hid until my friend left. The friend later turned out to be an enemy, so I think the cat might’ve felt something odd that time. The cat never scratched me, and preferred to leave the room if it was annoyed by someone. The breed is calm and patient, and will tolerate children well, coming over to play if it feels like it.
9 – The Maine Coon. Good-natured and very emotional giants, friendly favorites of the whole family. The Maine Coon will never show its feelings to an owner until it trusts them completely. It is said that Coons are so smart that they will only hunt small wild animals. However, it would be unwise to test that theory on smaller household pets, which should be kept safely apart. The cat will, nonetheless, play nice with dogs and other cats. There are a lot of youtube clips of a Maine Coon hugging kids or letting them tug its tail. To be sure, all kids like to tug cat tails. So the Maine Coon is quite patient. However, many breeders advise not to leave such games unattended.
10 – The British Short Hair. This is a respectable cat for respectable people, who spend a lot of time working. This cat won’t take offense at long work hours, and will meet you at home with love and affection. Likes children and won’t hurt them. But won’t let itself become their toy.
11 – The Abyssinian. The amazing combination of a beautiful exterior, sociability and intelligence make this breed extremely popular with connoisseurs of true feline intelligence. A lively, curious, merry cat, it treats all children and household members with love, however, only one person will be considered a "leader of the pack". This breed will be a good match for people seeking more of a companion, rather than a simple pet. Suitable for older children.
12 – The Exotic Shorthair. This gentle creature lives exclusively to be loved and cherished. The Exotic Shorthair badly tolerates loneliness. May even lose appetite. However, the breed has low tolerance to petting, let alone tail pulling, so use caution near children.
13 – The Russian Blue. Subtlety friendliness are the main character traits of the Russian Blue cat. On the other hand, it is secretive and independent. It chooses its territory at its own discretion, just as its owner from among the people in the house. Will easily tolerate being alone, won’t get in the way, if the owner is busy working. Dislikes change. Moderately tolerant of children, but won’t take part in their games.
14 – The Siberian. Descendant from wild forest cats, this animal is very independent. “A cat has nine lives” is a saying about this breed. Can sense danger and attempt to warn its owner. I own a Siberian. When my wife had a baby, the cat immediately got into the crib. And when I chased it out, it sat in the stroller. When my wife swaddled the baby, the cat scratched it. Because the baby flailed arms and legs around, so the cat probably reacted to the movements. There is a theory that cats do that in reaction to the baby’s cries, trying to discipline the baby. And another theory that points to the hunter’s instinct in cats. Anyway, when the baby got around one-year-old, the cat peacefully slept in the bed with her.
15 – The Siamese. Temperamental, jealous and stubborn - these are the main traits of this breed. Contrary to the prevailing opinion, they are not vindictive. Always choose one member of the family as an owner, and once chosen, demonstrate to them selfless devotion. I once watched my friend’s Siamese cat hunt a six-year-old kid. Not sure how it will react to a baby. There are, however, cases when the cat was a loyal guardian to children.
No matter which breed you choose, pay close attention to the kitten’s behavior. All rules have exceptions. If a kitten bites your fingers, choose another one, since it might continue to do so when it grows up. Also pay attention to the mother cat’s behavior, since the kitten will inherit her traits. Remember, that every cat picks only one person to be its owner, just like a dog would. Even when you are the one feeding the cat, it might choose someone else. When I was little, my mother fed our Persian, but it regarded me as its owner, slept with me, and healed me by lying on my chest when I was sick with bronchitis.
The reason why a cat becomes a babysitter depends on the will of the cat. Without a will, the cat will just lead a normal life, and will at best ignore the baby. Female cats are more frequently inclined, perhaps due to motherly instincts. Sometimes, the cat considers the baby to be another of her kittens. Like in the wild, when one lioness dies, another takes care of her young.
If you buy a kitten after already having a baby, it will be too young to help you out. Perhaps the kitten will sleep with the baby, but all in all, you will now have two babies instead of one. Since the kitten also requires your love and care. Male cats usually don’t help out after child birth, since in case of kittens, they tend to just leave them in the female’s care. So if you have a male cat babysitter, consider yourself lucky, this is rare indeed!