Are American Shorthaired cats a good pet with children?

Question

I have a 4 year old son and a 6 month old daughter. Are cats a good pet to own when you have an infant in the house? My husband is afraid of the old "cat sucking the breath out of the baby" (too much Stephen King if you ask me). Any suggestions? I was leaning toward an American Shorthaired...I read that they don't shed much.

Answer 1

Some cats are better than others... if you are really freaked out about getting one with children I would highly suggest a ragdoll.  My ragdoll will lay next to my friends babies in the carrier and the baby will grab the tail the ear anything within reach the cat does nothing... they are great with children.

http://www.about-ragdoll-cats.com/cats-a...

Answer 2

I have an american short hair cat and she is very well with kids. even if they pull her tail she won't react. My cat sheds a little too much, but that is just her. My cat was a stray so she was afraid of people at first, but she loves all people now, and she even comforts people if they are upset of scared. I would recomend getting an American Shorthair, and cats don't suck the breath out of babies....

Answer 3

you have to be careful about the kids getting the cats' tail, kitty won't like it. but if the kids just pet the cat, then it will most likely lay down and purr. the cat won't "suck the breath out" your husband is just being paranoid. females are better, males might mark their territory if you don't get them fixed. good luck! :)  

Answer 4

Breed of cat won't matter too much - a regular domestic short hair from the shelter will do as well as a purebred.  American shorthairs shed about the same as any short haired cat so there's no reason to spend the big bucks just for that reason.

The old "sucking the breath out of the baby" c**p really is an old wives tail.  I'm amazed anyone still buys into that baloney.  Besides at 6 months, your daughter is far from being a tiny baby anymore that could be smothered by a cat (another old wives tail anyway).  She can lift her head by this point and get pretty mobile if she needs to.

I would go to the shelter and pick an adult cat with a terrific personality and even better (if they have one) one that successfully lived in a household with kids before.  Kittens are babies and are a total handful.  A relaxed older cat will be much easier for you to manage with one baby already on your hands.

Answer 5

Cats are good pets to have. Their more independent than a dog (I love dogs too) you won't have to take him for a walk. I like the idea of adopting an older cat ( someone else's idea) a lot less work than a kitten. Good luck. :~)

Answer 6

Your right- waaay too much of the King. A cat won't suck the breath out of baby. Most cats will not have much interest in kids- just explain about kitty carefully to your 4 year old. If he grabs an ear or tail, the new kitty will almost certainly scratch.

Answer 7

Cats are not like dogs and it is pretty much hit or miss on the personalities some are loveable some are not they have there own way  you can not train them like dogs