If I may...
if you choose to get a cat, I'd like to suggest an adult cat, maybe? One that will be aloof? Because some people like to try to roughhouse with cats too. And if the cat is a kitten, the kitten thinks this is normal and this is how cats get bad reputations for being biters and scratchers - if a hand comes toward the cat, the cat responds in the way she has learned, or to defend herself. An adult cat might respond with one big swipe or bite ... single trial learning, except learning is impaired here...

Now that I think of it, roughhousing with any animal is just a bad idea.

Augh. I am so very sorry!