Cat breed rankings
Our top 20 cat breeds for everyday needs: apartment living, children, first pet, shedding, grooming, price, and more.
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3Cat breeds suited to apartment living
Not all cat breeds adapt equally well to indoor living. These breeds are often recommended for apartments, provided they get outdoor access and stimulation. Open a breed profile for temperament, grooming and breeders.
Top picks: Birman, Persian, Ragdoll
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3Cat breeds for families with children
For a family, choose a patient, sociable cat breed. These breeds are often recommended for homes with children: see temperament, training and breeders on each profile.
Top picks: Birman, Sphynx, Scottish Fold
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3Cat breeds for first-time owners
Some breeds are more forgiving of first-time cat owners. These breeds are often recommended for beginners: read about training, temperament and price before choosing a breeder.
Top picks: Birman, Ragdoll, British Shorthair
View top 20123Most affectionate cat breeds
A very affectionate cat forms a strong bond with its family. Compare temperament, need for company and purchase price on these cat breed profiles.
Top picks: Birman, Persian, Ragdoll
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3Cat breeds that get along with other pets
Living with multiple pets takes a sociable temperament. These cat breeds often get along better with other companions: compare compatibility on each profile.
Top picks: Scottish Fold, Scottish Straight, Savannah
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3Easy-to-train cat breeds
An easy-to-train breed learns faster, especially for first-time cat owners. These breeds score well for trainability: open a profile for temperament and learning tips.
Top picks: Burmese, Toyger, Bengal
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3Calm, low-energy cat breeds
A calm cat is better suited to a relaxed lifestyle. These breeds have lower energy levels: check daily exercise, health and apartment suitability on the profile.
Top picks: Persian, Ragdoll, British Longhair
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3Cat breeds that shed less
Less shedding makes everyday life easier, especially indoors. These cat breeds generally shed less: check coat type and hypoallergenic traits on the breed profile.
Top picks: Sphynx, Savannah, Devon Rex
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3Low-maintenance cat breeds
Easy grooming makes everyday life simpler. These cat breeds generally need less grooming: check coat type, shedding and care costs on the breed profile.
Top picks: Russian Blue, Oriental Shorthair, Singapura
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3Most intelligent cat breeds
A quick-witted breed learns fast and enjoys mental stimulation. These cats have the highest intelligence scores: plan games and activities to prevent boredom, and open a profile to learn about their temperament and needs.
Top picks: Bengal, Sphynx, Siamese
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3Hardiest cat breeds
Some breeds are less prone to inherited conditions. These cats have the highest health scores: check life expectancy, health concerns and veterinary care on each profile.
Top picks: Siberian, Savannah, Kurilian Bobtail
View top 20123Cat breeds that need little exercise
Not all breeds need long daily outings. These cats are content with moderate activity: check energy level, apartment suitability and health on the breed profile.
Top picks: Persian, Ragdoll, British Longhair
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3So-called hypoallergenic cat breeds
No breed is completely allergen-free, but some shed less or produce fewer dander flakes. Consult an allergist, then compare these so-called hypoallergenic cat breeds.
Top picks: Savannah, Devon Rex, Balinese
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2Small cat breeds
A small build makes city living and travel easier. These cat breeds stay compact as adults: each profile details size, weight and price.
Top picks: Singapura, Napoleon / Minuet
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3More affordable cat breeds
The price of a purebred cat depends on its lineage, pedigree and breeder. These breeds are among the most affordable in our directory: compare purchase price ranges and living costs on each profile.
Top picks: Birman, British Shorthair, Norwegian Forest Cat
View top 20Other cat breed rankings
- Cat breeds suited to apartment living
- Cat breeds for families with children
- Cat breeds for first-time owners
- Most affectionate cat breeds
- Cat breeds that get along with other pets
- Easy-to-train cat breeds
- Calm, low-energy cat breeds
- Cat breeds that shed less
- Low-maintenance cat breeds
- Most intelligent cat breeds
- Hardiest cat breeds
- Cat breeds that need little exercise
- So-called hypoallergenic cat breeds
- Small cat breeds
- More affordable cat breeds