Best Cat Breeds for Families

Coat & grooming — Long, shaggy, water-resistant coat; needs weekly brushing

Suits — Families, children, other pets, dog-friendly homes

Coat & grooming — Semi-long silky coat; needs brushing twice weekly

Suits — Families, children, seniors, multi-pet homes

Coat & grooming — Short, dense, plush coat; brush weekly

Suits — Families, busy owners, calm multi-pet homes

Coat & grooming — Short, thick, dense coat; brush weekly

Suits — Families, children, first-time owners, other pets

Coat & grooming — A medium-long, silky single coat with no woolly undercoat, which means it mats far less than most longhairs and never feels heavy. Shedding is light to moderate; a quick brush once or twice a week keeps the coat glossy and tangle-free, with a little extra attention around the ruff and 'breeches'. Bathing is rarely needed.

Suits — An excellent all-round family cat that suits first-time owners, families with children, and homes with other cats or gentle dogs. Its calm, sociable and adaptable nature makes it well suited to flats and quieter households alike. Birmans dislike being left alone for long stretches, so they do best where someone is often home or where they have a companion animal for company.

Coat & grooming — Short, fine, satin-like coat that lies close to the body with a glossy sheen. It is very low-maintenance: a weekly stroke with a rubber brush or chamois keeps it gleaming, shedding is light, and bathing is rarely needed.

Suits — Excellent for families, children and homes with other pets, as the Burmese craves company and dislikes being left alone for long. Well suited to flats provided there is play and attention, but it is a poor choice for people who are out all day. Friendly enough for first-time owners.

Coat & grooming — Short, soft, close-lying coat with a fine, silky texture and a mink-like sheen. Grooming is minimal: a weekly brush or hand-stroke removes loose hair, shedding is light, and bathing is seldom required.

Suits — A wonderful family cat that enjoys children, other cats and cat-savvy dogs, and is happy in flats as long as it gets plenty of attention. Like its Burmese and Siamese ancestors it hates being alone, so it suits busy, sociable homes rather than people who are out all day. Fine for first-time owners.

Coat & grooming — Short to medium, dense, soft and plush, standing slightly away from the body like teddy-bear fur. It needs far less work than a Persian's, but a quick comb two or three times a week reduces shedding and matting; facial folds should be wiped to keep them clean.

Suits — A gentle, easy-going companion that suits families, quieter children, flats and homes with other calm pets. Its placid, undemanding nature makes it ideal for first-time owners and people seeking a low-energy lap cat. Because of its flat face it should be kept indoors or in safe, temperate conditions.

Coat & grooming — Comes in shorthair and longhair (the Cymric) varieties, both with a plush, dense double coat that feels padded to the touch. The shorthair needs weekly brushing, while the longhair benefits from two or three sessions a week to prevent matting. Shedding is moderate and rises during seasonal coat changes.

Suits — A friendly, adaptable choice for families, including those with gentle children and other pets, and manageable for attentive first-time owners. Manx cats form strong bonds, follow their people about and often greet visitors at the door. They suit both houses and flats provided they get play and company, but tail-touching should be avoided as the area can be sensitive.

Coat & grooming — Comes in both longhair and shorthair, with loose, soft curls that are most pronounced around the neck, belly and tail; even the whiskers may curl. The dense, slightly woolly coat sheds and benefits from gentle weekly combing rather than brushing, which can straighten the curls. Over-bathing or heavy grooming relaxes the curl, so a light touch keeps the texture.

Suits — A great all-rounder for families, children, multi-pet homes and first-time owners thanks to its easy-going, affectionate temperament. Its moderate energy suits both flats and houses, and it is content to be a relaxed lap companion rather than a demanding athlete. Like all cats it appreciates play and climbing options, but its exercise needs are modest.