is a ragdoll cat suitable to enter a home with a young toddler?

1.What you see is what you get. Adult cats already know who they are. Kittens are undeniably cute, but you never know what the future holds, how large they may get, what their personality will ultimately be, etc. An adorable little kitten will be an adult in the blink of an eye.

2.Adult cats aren't as "chewsy." Kittens have a tendancy to chew things, lots of things. Whether teething or just exploring bits of the world around them, kittens chew on shoes, the corners of books, ear lobes and fingers, carpet tassels, electrical cords, drapery strings, plants, and much, much more. Most adult cats don't chew inappropriately at all.

3.If you have an older cat in your home and are looking for a friend for him or her, another adult cat may be the best choice. Kittens can be too playful and may upset your cat instead of providing companionship. A kitten may cause your resident cat to be more annoyed than amused.

4.After a long day at the office, you may just want to come home and curl up with your furry friend--but most kittens prefer an action packed evening--lots of touseling, frolicking, and plenty of running and jumping. An adult cat will greet you at the door and be more than happy to curl up and watch your favorite shows on TV. They've already learned about the unconditional love thing.

5.Adult cats may sleep at the foot of your bed, under the bed or in a cozy spot somewhere else in the house, while a kitten will most likely run around all night, doing anything possible to wake you up for more games. Adult cats are generally happy to sleep when you do and don't try to attack your toes through the blankets in the middle of the night.

6.Adult cats won't be climbing up your leg or your curtains, they won't be swinging from your chandeliers, knocking down knick knacks or just running full speed ahead for no good reason.

7.Adult cats are usually a better choice for families with small children. Kittens often play rough and are constantly underfoot. They're sharp--they can't help it, but kittens are all teeth and claws. Generally speaking, adult cats are more mellow, and often more patient with young children. The experience should be a good one for both the cat and the child. Ask to meet the shelter's best "kid cats."

8.Adult cats require less attention and supervision. They're quiet companions. They have well-developed manners, use the litter box and the scratching post without constant reminders.

9.Many adult cats end up in shelters due to no fault of their own. Separated from their loved ones, surrounded by other cats, confined, confused, and sometimes frightened, many are emotionally devastated by their misfortune. Sadly, most people gravitate toward the cute, bouncy, big-eyed kittens. Older cats sit by and watch, as one loving family after another passes them over for a cute kitten. Adopting an adult cat is a way to say to a deserving animal "I believe in you."

For the abandoned, forgotten, and heartbroken adult cats, you just might be their last chance to have the love and warmth of a home where they can live out their years in comfort. When properly cared for, cats often live well into their late teens or longer. Typically, they will remain active and even playful throughout most of their lives. Once a cat adjusts to a new home where they can feel safe and secure again, they'll offer years of faithful companionship and unconditional love

Cat shelter will rehome cats with young children, but it just depends on the age of the cat, i know one shelter staff refused an 8week old kitten for a 4year girl-, yet another at the same shelter let another 4year old girl take a kitten with the parent, however i don't recommend young kitten with small children due to the fact, young kittens claws are extremely sharp, and young kittens love to bite-Yes you will be covered in scratches and bites. I had kittens since i was young, and gotten covered scratches and bites, plus kitten will scratch carpets, as well as miss the litter tray and scratch carpet, Teaching a cat to use the scratching post will help reduce the damage. Declawing IS NOT an option. Its cruel and mean to a cat. Cats are born with there claws for a reason, they need them! Declawing is illegal where i am in australia. Soft paws is humane alternative.

I suggest you choose a adult cat based on it personality, and the least likely cat to scratch, rather then being too fussy on the breed. I seen plenty of adult that are perfectly suitable to little ones, in fact i found one the other day she is 18month old, Aluna, wasn't named when we saw her, but believe she a stray, the shelter since named her, but she adore my 4year old sister and not a scrach or bite toward her, but still playful- and very affectionate. Still expect a scratch here and there because it in a cat nature to scratch. I love the strays myself. Strays i had seem to be more playful for longer. However all cats are individual. Candy was a breeder, and Snowy was a stray-Luckily she ended up on my grandma doorstep when i 5. She was about 6month old. She would have been considered too feral by one of animal shelter to be rehomed, but with patience and love she grew into a lovely cat, very loving and cuddly. Cameo 2year and Puzzle 18months where both animal shelter strays, very different personalities. 4 out 5 cats that i owned, have been strays.

Here is her, we are renting, so we cannot adopt yet.

http://www.aaps.org.au/cats/cats_page_two.html

Visit your local animal shelter and ask if they rehome cats to children under 7. Some won't but some will. It just depends on the shelter policy. Generally fluffy cats aren't recommend for children because children tend to pull the cats fur-which of cause hurts and cats don't like having there fur pulled. However with shorthair cats, there less tendancy to get scratch pulling the fur because it pretty impossible for a shorthair cat to have it fur pulled. there not much fur, so children can't really grab it and pull.

http://www.petfinder.com/

http://www.petrescue.com.au/

No kitten is suitable for a home with a toddler, and a large number of rescues/shelters/breeders will not place a kitten in a home with a child under 5. Toddlers are not mature enough to know that a kitten is not a toy, and is a living breathing creature. Many of them end up maimed or killed because of this. Older kids are great with kittens - but they have the maturity to understand that kittens are fragile and must be handled with care. A calm adult cat might be fine - a cat is big enough to walk away when they've had enough. And do NOT consider declawing or a declawed cat. All young children need to learn that some behaviors are not acceptable to a cat, and a swat with claws is the best way to learn this. A declawed cat is going to feel very defensive and will bite instead. Rather a few scratches than a serious bite.

NO - cats and young children are NOT a good combination! Babies and young children are not intelligent enough to know when they're hurting an animal and can easily injure it. And then the cat reacts back by either scratching or biting the child. For this reason most shelters never adopt out to families with children under four years old. Please don't get a cat until your son is a bit older.

Thank you for being responsible and caring and asking this question - I wish more people would. The shelter I volunteer with regularly sees cats and kittens surrendered because the child ended up scratched or bit. Or the kitten or cat comes in badly injured due to neglect from the child. One of my cats is a gorgeous Ragamuffin that was nearly put to death by her owner because she was peeing on the bed. Ends up the woman's three year old boy was tormenting her so she was acting act due to that torment.

Rag dolls are not Siamese as someone posted. The can have similar marking but they are totally different in temperament. Siamese are not the easiest cats in the world but take a loving owner. Most rag dolls are lazy, floppy love muffins. Not all to the same degree but are much more laid back than most cats. I have always had cats and kids. You have to work with your son, reinforce gentle, no dragging kitty by the tail, etc. I mean to him its a new toy but he'll get it quickly. Hopefully with no scratches. I think growing up with a cat or dog is great. some time a child needs a friend that just listens and never fusses. Enjoy!

well if you get a kitten i hope you and your son are looking forward to lots of scratches and a bite or two. most of the scratches wont be planed but the just happen. and if you act scared cause you get scratched they get worse. cause cats are like dogs when it comes to wanting to be leader of the house.