Are Himalayan Cats Good with Kids and Other Pets?
Why Himalayans and Persians make such good family cats, and how to help a new kitten settle in with children, dogs and other cats.
By Sean Donovan, Himalayan and Persian breeder in Waterford, VA since 1995
- Himalayans and Persians are calm, gentle, patient cats — a natural fit for families.
- Kittens raised in a busy home, around children and pets, settle fastest.
- Introduce other pets slowly, starting from a separate room.
- Teach children to sit and let the kitten come to them.
If you have young children or other pets, temperament matters as much as looks. Here is why Himalayans and Persians are so often recommended for families, and how to give your new kitten the best start.
A calm, gentle temperament
Himalayans and Persians are unhurried, affectionate cats who would rather be on a lap than on top of the bookcase. They tend to be patient with gentle handling and do not startle easily.
Why how they are raised matters most
Breed gives you a starting point; upbringing does the rest. Our kittens grow up underfoot with our family, around people, kids and other animals, and are held and played with every day from the first week. That is why they arrive people-friendly rather than shy and frightened, and why they do very well as lap cats and with small children.
Tips for children
- Sit on the floor and let the kitten come to you
- Pick up with one hand under the chest and one under the back legs
- Keep play gentle and use wand toys rather than hands
- Let the kitten sleep undisturbed
- An adult should supervise with very young children
Introducing a dog
Keep the kitten in its own room for the first few days. Let the dog sniff under the door, then allow short, leashed, supervised meetings. Make sure the kitten always has a high place to retreat to.
Introducing another cat
Start the same way: a separate room, swapping bedding so they learn each other’s scent, then short supervised meetings that get longer over days. Most of our kittens settle quickly because they already live with other cats.
Two kittens together
Littermates who go home together keep each other company and often settle even faster. There is a multiple-kitten discount. See adopting two kittens.
Meet them first
Bring the whole family, children included, to your visit. We want to see how everyone gets along. Call Sean on 571-479-3216, email friendlykittens92@gmail.com, or book a visit to our home in Waterford, VA.