Best Cat Breeds for Cat Lovers
Explore the most beloved cat breeds, from playful companions to calm lap cats.
Quick Answer
The top breeds for cat lovers are Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon and 35 more. We evaluated 38 breeds based on temperament, size, energy level, and care needs to find the best match.
Browse by trait:
Siamese
The Siamese is a renowned breed known for being social and affectionate. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Siamese is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Persian
The Persian is a renowned breed known for being quiet and sweet. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Persian is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a renowned breed known for being gentle and friendly. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Maine Coon is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is a renowned breed known for being affectionate and gentle. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Ragdoll is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Bengal
The Bengal is a renowned breed known for being energetic and playful. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Bengal is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Sphynx
The Sphynx is a renowned breed known for being energetic and social. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Sphynx is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a renowned breed known for being calm and patient. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
British Shorthair is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a renowned breed known for being active and curious. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Abyssinian is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is a renowned breed known for being sweet and quiet. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Scottish Fold is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Birman
The Birman is a renowned breed known for being gentle and affectionate. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Birman is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is a renowned breed known for being gentle and quiet. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Russian Blue is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a renowned breed known for being independent and intelligent. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Norwegian Forest Cat is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Burmese
The Burmese is a renowned breed known for being playful and affectionate. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Burmese is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair is a renowned breed known for being social and intelligent. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Oriental Shorthair is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a renowned breed known for being pixie-like and playful. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Devon Rex is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Himalayan
The Himalayan is a renowned breed known for being sweet and quiet. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Himalayan is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is a renowned breed known for being friendly and easygoing. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
American Shorthair is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Siberian
The Siberian is a renowned breed known for being affectionate and playful. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Siberian is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is a renowned breed known for being sweet and quiet. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Exotic Shorthair is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Manx
The Manx is a renowned breed known for being social and intelligent. Originating as a Cat, they make excellent companions for the right household.
Manx is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is an unusual cat breed with a distinctive curly, short coat and an athletic build. They're active, playful, and maintain kitten-like energy throughout their lives.
Cornish Rex is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is an ancient breed with a naturally spotted coat - the only naturally occurring spotted domestic cat. They're elegant, athletic, and fiercely loyal to their chosen family.
Egyptian Mau is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Tonkinese
The Tonkinese is a cross between Siamese and Burmese cats, combining the best traits of both breeds. They're social, intelligent, and form strong bonds with their human families.
Tonkinese is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Turkish Van
The Turkish Van is a rare, ancient breed from Turkey known for their love of water and distinctive van pattern coloring. They're active, intelligent, and have a playful, dog-like personality.
Turkish Van is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Chartreux
The Chartreux is an ancient French breed with a distinctive blue-gray coat and amber eyes. They're quiet, observant, and form deep bonds with their families while maintaining an air of mystery.
Chartreux is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Somali
The Somali is essentially a long-haired Abyssinian, with a spectacular ticked coat and bushy tail. They're intelligent, curious, and love to be involved in everything their owners do.
Somali is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Balinese
The Balinese is a long-haired version of the Siamese, with the same striking blue eyes and pointed coloring but with a silky, flowing coat. They're vocal, intelligent, and form deep attachments to their people.
Balinese is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Ocicat
The Ocicat is a wholly domestic breed with an exotic, wild appearance resembling an ocelot. They're friendly, social, and highly trainable - often described as 'dogs in cat's clothing.'
Ocicat is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Singapura
The Singapura is one of the smallest cat breeds, but what they lack in size they make up for in personality. They're curious, affectionate, and eternally playful with large, expressive eyes.
Singapura is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
LaPerm
The LaPerm is a unique breed with a distinctive curly coat that can range from wavy to tight ringlets. They're affectionate, playful, and known for their gentle, people-oriented nature.
LaPerm is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
American Curl
The American Curl is a unique breed known for their distinctively curled-back ears. They're affectionate, playful, and maintain kitten-like personalities well into adulthood.
American Curl is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Bombay
The Bombay was deliberately bred to resemble a miniature black panther. They have sleek, jet-black coats and striking copper eyes, combined with affectionate, playful personalities.
Bombay is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail is an ancient breed with a distinctive short, 'pom-pom' like tail. They're active, intelligent, and known for their chirpy, singing voices.
Japanese Bobtail is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Havana Brown
The Havana Brown is a rare breed with a distinctive chocolate-brown coat and green eyes. They're affectionate, playful, and known for using their paws to investigate objects.
Havana Brown is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Snowshoe
The Snowshoe is a beautiful breed combining Siamese coloring with distinctive white 'snow boots' on their paws. They're vocal, affectionate, and love water.
Snowshoe is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Korat
The Korat is an ancient breed from Thailand with a distinctive silver-blue coat and large green eyes. They're intelligent, playful, and form strong bonds with their owners.
Korat is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex is a curly-coated breed known as 'the cat in sheep's clothing.' Unlike other Rex breeds, their coat is plush and thick, giving them a teddy bear appearance.
Selkirk Rex is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Burmilla
The Burmilla is an accidental breed created when a Burmese and Chinchilla Persian mated. They have beautiful shaded silver coats and gentle, playful personalities.
Burmilla is well-suited for this lifestyle thanks to their temperament, size, and care needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Official Breed Resources
Explore detailed breed profiles, temperament evaluations, and care guidelines from the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC provides verified breed standards that can help you evaluate which breed best fits your lifestyle.
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